Well, I've finally located this guy, thanks to information given to me here on the discussion board. Where should I go from here? I have his address and phone number, but I figure I'm only going to get one shot at contacting him, and I don't want to blow it. A few months ago I tried contacting another previous owner by certified mail, but that bombed, as he never would talk to me about the car. What is the best way to go about a delicate situation like this, just go ahead and give him a cold call? I'm sure many of you have gone through this before, what do you recommend? As usual, I have the utmost confidence in your opinion.
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Re: I've located the owner, now what?
See my post below. Somehow it was not listed as a response under your question. Must be the computer's fault, couldn't be mine.... -
Re: I've located the owner, now what?
Patrick,
You might want to start off softly. The car may represent some unpleasant part of the previous owners life, and any reminders could have negative effects. The person may resent having being 'hunted down'. A phone call out of the blue could result in a severe earache for you.
Try writing him a letter, enclosing a few recent pictures of the car, and maybe taking the approach that you are now the latest proud owner of his former treasure, and you thought he might want to know that it's in good hands. Ask him if he would like to see the car (if the distance makes sense). If the response is good, maybe then it's the time to start asking questions about the cars past.
Worked for me.
Mike
Quebec NCRS ChapterComment
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Re: I've located the owner, now what?
I have traced the ownership of many midyear cars over the years. By far, the hardest part was finding the owners. The easiest part was talking about the car with the owners. Most are elated. My worst experience was with a medical doctor as the first owner of my 67 coupe. In the initial call, he said he had wondered where the car had gone and seemed glad, but wanted to cut me short. He told me a lot about the car though as I nursed him along. I called him again a month or more later and he cut me short again stating he had no interest in the car as it was just something he had and got rid of a long time ago. It was obvious I was bothering him. I did press him sign a statement of what he had told me about the car if I wrote it and sent it to him. He did that at least. However, most are really glad to know where there Vette is. I would make up a list of questions you want to ask and bring it up at an appropriate time or ask to call back at a more convenient time. GaryAvatar--My first ever vette, owned 3X since 1977, restored 1993-2024. Top Flight Award 9/14/24Comment
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Re: I've located the owner, now what?
The Yankee Lady Corvette Gazette has a section on "How to find your car's past owners," which includes a chapter that answers your specific question, what to do next, it even has sample letters. The address is http://www.yl-gazette.com and click on the "Past Owner Search"Comment
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Re: I've located the owner, now what?
I've had nothing but good experiences tracking the past of my '57. Most people I phoned were reluctant at first (wondering what I was selling) but when they heard why I was calling they warmed up and asked for photos, etc.
It's well worth the effort... The fourth owner back still had the original engine in his back yard which I obtained!
MikeComment
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I'm in the same boat
I know who the owner who sold the car to the guys who sold it to me. They were very reluctant to have me contact that owner and have not supplied me with a telephone number to call him. I used a database called Lexis-Nexis to do a search on him. I found his name in a professional license database that the state he lives in maintains. I sent him a letter asking a few simple questions and a SASE. I put in the letter that I would really appreciate a note back even if it was just to tell me I had the wrong guy. I've been waiting over a month for a reply to that letter. I'm stuck with having to call the guy and hope he'll talk. I've been putting off calling to make sure I have all my questions lined out, since I figure I'll never get a second chance (if I get a first chance).Comment
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Re: I've located the owner, now what?
Patrick-----
I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones. I didn't have any trouble at all locating or talking with the original owner of my 69. In fact, I get to listen to him just about every day. He travels with me everywhere I go, too. Whenever and wherever I have a question about my car, I can ask him on a moment's notice with absolutely no fear of offending or annoying him.
But, you know, sometimes when folks see me talking to myself about the car, I think that they wonder about me......I really do!In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Man, you ain't kiddin'...
You are ever so right about being careful. When we were looking for a house, we looked at one being sold by a private owner. Although nothing came of that, we later visited the company who built that house, thinking they might build one for us. Seems like the builder's wife ran off with the guy who owned the house we looked at and she bogarted his Porsche and dogs. Needless to say, the conversation didn't last long...
Laughed about it on the way home though.
Bill Braun 33186Comment
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Re: I'm in the same boat also
I traced the previous non dealer owner of my car to a guy from Cleveland. Turns out he went to jail in 84 or 85 and never paid his rent. The landlord took the car (legally through the court system) from him as payment and sold it to a dealer. Now when I try to contact him for info he is so mad about losing the car he won't talk to me. 4 years and 25 letters and faxes later I still can't break him. Tried the photos, videos, and bribes. No luck. Bad luck.Comment
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