'63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(s)? - NCRS Discussion Boards

'63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(s)?

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  • Jack U.
    Expired
    • November 1, 2003
    • 212

    '63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(s)?

    I'm a new member (40855). I'm going to complete the purchase of a 1963 Coupe after the first of the year. I had a couple of local NCRS members look at the car and gave me information about what was not original on the car so I know what condition the car is in now from basic visual inspection. Only a couple of minor items (according to the local NCRS people) need replacement but the engine, body, and frame are undamaged and in very good condition. There have been "touch ups" on the car but I do not believe there has been any kind of organized restoration on it.

    The current owner (a good friend) bought it about a year ago at an auction. He's starting up a premium used car business and was going to sell the car anyway. I became interested back in August. He has no other paperwork other than the name of the previous business that bought it. That business ALSO bought it at an auction 2 to 3 year prior to that auction. When I contacted that business, they don't remember anything about the auction and never knew the previous owner. So, at this point, it looks like the trail ends.

    I tried the DMV in Arizona (state the car came from) and they won't return EMAIL and nothing on their website indicates the possibility of a title search. I haven't tried contacting them by phone yet but if they are like my state (Nebraska), they are very busy and usually don't have time to chit-chat about something as trivial as an owner from 5 years ago.

    I'm more curious in the history than interested in the potential issues I'm going to encounter once the restoration process begins. I also own a 2001 Coupe and collect anything related to the history of my car and the 2001 model year. It's kind of in my nature to track down these items.

    What more could I do at this point to attempt to find another previous owner? I'm just learning more details specifically about the 1963 model now. Is there anything hidden anywhere on the car from the factory that could give me a hint (e.g., state, dealership, etc.)?
  • Eric J.
    Very Frequent User
    • March 1, 1980
    • 771

    #2
    Re: '63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(

    Welcome to the club.I am in AZ perhaps I can help. What is the VIN of the car? . What was the business? AZ is very good at history. I have done many searches myself. I may have a form to do the search. Eric #3,182

    Comment

    • James W.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • December 1, 1990
      • 2640

      #3
      Re: '63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(

      Jack,

      Sounds like you are going to go ahead with the purchase of the 63 fuelie. Hopefully Eric can help you locate some past history on the car. Since I was the one who looked at the car for you. I did have one other thing that I was going to mention to you. The car seemed to have a lot of undercoating on the floor pans, frame, etc. I'm thinking the car's history will originate somewhere other than Arizona. Why I say this is because why would a car when delivered to Arizona be undercoated so heavily if at all? I'd like to have another look at the engine pad to get a picture of it and make a tracing of it to have it evaluated as authentic if you are interested. Did you have any luck contacting the previous owner based on the information that you have? If so, did he have any reason as to why the engine has a 250/300 hp harmonic balancer on it and not the correct 8" finned balancer that was correct for a fuel injected car?

      Regards,

      James West
      Omaha, NE.
      NCRS Member #18379
      1964 Corvette convertible #9258

      Comment

      • Loren L.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • April 30, 1976
        • 4104

        #4
        Arizona MVD no longer has files beyond a 10 year

        period. Which auctions did it change hands at - if it is one of the AZ auctions, undoubtedly someone saw that car and might be able to comment. In addition, Eric (above) & I both have some files on hand that might be of help. VIn # and all of the information from the Trim tag is also needed. If you want to take a digital photo of those, the engine compartment and the whole car and post them, fine.
        The problem is that a general rule for auctions is - if you're not sure of what you're buying, DON'T.

        Comment

        • mike cobine

          #5
          A few ideas

          Since you know the car came from auction, check with the auction people. They should have some record, but not much. They may have agreements in place to not reveal it, though.

          Check again with the state. You are not there to "chit chat" but do business, so do business. The business is getting a title history search. However, often these are restricted to owners or past owners, which you are neither at this point.

          Due to security issues, identity fraud, and a host of things most honest people forget about, you may receive limited information or information with lots of black marker on it.

          Plan on this search being very short and with limited information. You will probably have to do repeated searches in other states.

          NONE of this is free. While we pay lots of taxes to support these government agencies, they still require payment for their services. It is rather small amounts, often in the $10 or $20 range, but don't expect it to be given to you.

          That is one reason you will proably not get any response from email - it is free.

          Good luck and happy hunting.

          Comment

          • Jack W.
            Very Frequent User
            • August 31, 2000
            • 358

            #6
            Re: '63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(

            I had good luck pulling info from the AZ DMV on my 65 (it went through CnV at one point in its life).

            get their form for requesting vehicle records here (.pdf):



            check the "for research activities" box and complete all other info and follow their directions, send a check with enough $$ to cover multiple records, and in pretty short order they'll be sending you copies of the title records (and anything else on their system). Good luck.
            65 MM Convertible, L76 (365 hp)

            Comment

            • Loren L.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • April 30, 1976
              • 4104

              #7
              When did you do this? *NM*

              Comment

              • Jack U.
                Expired
                • November 1, 2003
                • 212

                #8
                Re: '63 - Thanks

                Eric,

                VIN is 30837S119240. Previous owner was Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. I'm trying to discover the auction where it was purchased.

                Jack Whittle provided me with the ADOT PDF. I couldn't find this previously. I'm going to persue that method but if you have another source, I want to cover all my bases in case the ADMV goes "no where".

                Jack

                Comment

                • Jack U.
                  Expired
                  • November 1, 2003
                  • 212

                  #9
                  Re: '63 - More ideas for search on previous owner(

                  James,

                  The previous owner didn't do anything with respect to engine modification. It mostly sat in a museum setting. I have to assume any change to the engine (balancer) was done prior to that owner. The previous owner apparently didn't care or didn't know about the issue with the balancer.

                  I'm interested in having the engine pad evaluated. What will you need from me? I can get access to the storage building. I just have to ask. If I can do anything here to help, let me know to save you a trip north to Blair.

                  I'll be talking to Eric but I also have the ADOT PDF file (thanks to Jack Whittle) now and will send that in. I couldn't find it previously.

                  Jack

                  Comment

                  • Jack U.
                    Expired
                    • November 1, 2003
                    • 212

                    #10
                    Re: '63 - Thanks

                    Jack,

                    Thanks for the file. I couldn't find it. I'm going to start writing now.

                    Comment

                    • Jack U.
                      Expired
                      • November 1, 2003
                      • 212

                      #11
                      Thanks

                      Loren,

                      I feel fairly confident that the previous owner had the good sense to check on the car before he bought it. That's why I feel so strongly about my purchase.

                      I appreciate the information regarding the 10 year limitation.

                      Jack

                      Comment

                      • Loren L.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • April 30, 1976
                        • 4104

                        #12
                        Is this the white on red FI car that was

                        previously mentioned on this Board as being sold at the auction last year as a ZO-6 and that B-J made an "adjustment" on the $$$?

                        Comment

                        • Loren L.
                          Extremely Frequent Poster
                          • April 30, 1976
                          • 4104

                          #13
                          Re: Is this the white on red FI car that was *NM*

                          Comment

                          • Loren L.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • April 30, 1976
                            • 4104

                            #14
                            Re: Is this the white on red FI car that was

                            was previously on this board as a white on red FI car that was sold at B-J as a ZO-6 and was not?

                            Comment

                            • Jack U.
                              Expired
                              • November 1, 2003
                              • 212

                              #15
                              Yes *NM*

                              Comment

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