OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the odds?

[Rob Edwards]

I just got off the phone with the ex-owner of my wife's boss's '62, who owned it from 1970-1997. He thinks he was the third owner, so that makes us #6. I traced his phone # from copies of the titles that came with the car (behold the power of Yahoo People Search!). In any case, if I do a vehicle history request from the Wisconsin DMV, what are the odds they'll have info from before 1970? Apparently he bought it from an 18 year old kid for $900 (kid was asking $2000, I guess he really needed the money....) I will assume that a title transfer occurred for that transaction. Has anyone gotten info that old from a state DMV? Thanks!

[Ian S.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

Rob,

I was told by Wisconsin DMV that their records only go back 10 years.

Ian

[Rick A.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

most state dmv's only go back 10 years from the last time a particular VIN was titled. but, with todays identity theft concerns many state dmv's have refused to release any information - can't say that I blame them

[Jim K.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

I talked to a cop who works on vehicle theft. I said that DMV records go back only 10 years for everyone but police. He can access almost any record if they had it at one time.
This is why stolen cars appear on dealer lots from time to time and look like a clean car to everyone. If they were stolen greater than 10 years ago, they are not in the system. But if something looks funny and/or the police check it out, it will come up stolen.
He has a lot of interesting stories about vin numbers, con-vin numbers, paper cars, etc.
The police can also access records that show the dealer were every Corvette was delivered.

Jim

[Jack W.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

"The police can also access records that show the dealer were every Corvette was delivered."

I hereby predict that little statement will get much attention. I am not sure if it is accurate or not, I am just predicting is all

[Jim K.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

I check with my friend and he said he was not sure how far they went back, but he has checked back to the 60's himself. It is NICB - National Insurance Crime Bureau. It is in Georgia, I have the telephone number for any cops that want to try it. I called (I am a special deputy) and she said it must be in connection an active investagation. Jim

[Nicholas L.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

My 1960 Corvette was sold new in North Carolina. They have title records back to the 50's. I was able to get the selling dealer and original purchaser titles.
Anyone with a car that began it's life in North Carolina will be fortunate.

[Sydney G.]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

I have heard the same thing. It must be an active investigation.
I also have heard that the border patrol can somehow access this info. but I'm not sure. I have a friend who works for the US customs patrol and have asked him to run my vin for me but I was told that he can get in serious trouble for searching without a cause, even for a close old friend. I told my patrol buddy that someday I was going to pull up to the border when he was on duty and then he could do a random search and say that I looked suspicious, which is not very far from the truth!
The first place I heard of the NICB was through Kevin Suydam's muscle car web site where I think it states that he traced owner history of his cars through the NICB. I have no idea how he did it!
A great web site though!!
www.corvettes-musclecars.com
I think thats the right address?
Syd

[Ron Hambrecht]

Re: OLD DMV vehicle info requests- What are the od

You are all somewhat correct. A "law enforcement official", or a representative of a district attorneys office can get history of any vehicle back to where the manufacturer delivered it. ie, you can track the dealer all the way to current owner.

Heres the rub: Has to be part of a "current investigation", and the official has to complete a sworn statement to that effect. It is sent to NCIB. They receive information by vin from factory and all 50 DMV's.

If you have some concern that this vehicle at one time was involved in a crime (wink wink), then you may a friendly law enforcement official who will write a letter to NCIB.