Car's original dealership known...now what??

[Tracy C.]

I’ve recently found out that my car sold new at McMahan Chevrolet in Lafayette Co. on July 31, 1963. This dealership is no longer in business. When I contacted the Chamber of Commerce in Lafayette, I was informed that the dealership moved to Broomfield Co. and became Century Chevrolet.

Knowing that I will likely only get one decent opportunity to ask this dealership for information, I am first seeking advice from the members on this board as to what exactly I should ask for and to whom should I make my request to?

Also, would an email, phone call or letter be the best approach?

thanks,
tc

[Mike M.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

go in person and look for the little old lady running the buisness office. worked for me. good luck, mike

[Pat M.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

Tracy - Like you, I found the dealership that was the successor to the dealer that sold my 1970 roadster, and I phoned them. Unfortunately, they simply had no records at all of my car.

However, I got (very) lucky when I sent off for a title/owner history from the DMVs of the states I knew my car lived. I ended up finding the second owner, who got me in touch with the original owner, and I discovered the car's entire history.

I would go to the DMV website(s) of the state(s) where you know your car resided, and look for the printable forms they provide for a title/owner search. Most will claim they have no records from more than 15 or 20 years ago, but that's not necessarily true - as shown by my results. You'll have to fill out and mail in the form , and there's usually a small charge.

Good Luck, Patrick Moresi #45581

[Bill W.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

Mikes correct .try someone who worked in the office .If they dont know where to find the information they will know if the salesman is still around or the dealership owner .

[Tracy C.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

Thanks Pat,

I recieved a list of almost every owner from the the Kansas DMV.

I've been in contact with owner #2 & #3 but there seems to be some conflicting information as to what tops came on the car. Owner #2 remembers a black soft top with no hard top and owner #3 recalls it as a hard top only car. My rear deck has mounting provision for both tops.

Still waiting for a responce from owners #1 and #4. I figured if I could get a copy of the sales order from the dealership, that would be the final word. I don't know if these are typically saved or not.

tc

[Pat M.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

I don't know if they're typically saved, either. The dealership I called was very friendly and helpful, and even got my hopes up by saying they'd go look in a big attic full of "old paperwork." But they called back and said the paperwork was not sales orders. They even gave me the phone number of an old salesman that worked at the original dealership, but to no avail.

Anyway, give it a shot. You may have better luck than me.

Regards, Patrick Moresi #45581

[Tracy C.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

Thanks Mike,

Do I ask the little blue haired lady for a copy of the window sticker, or a sales order or what???.

I'm really looking for the "techical name" of the document(s) that is/are most likely going to provide me with the list of options that were on the car when delivered.

I hope someone out there knows how dealers operated in 1963 and what I should ask for.

tc

[John H.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

Tracy -

What you're after is the "Dealer Invoice" or the "Car Shipper" or the "Corvette Order Copy"; any one of those will completely describe the car, and all came from the factory.

[Steven S.]

Re: Car's original dealership known...now what??

I struck out with my original dealer. Lady in their records department was nice, but unfortunately they only kept paperwork for seven years. Good luck!

[Tracy C.]

Thank you John.... *NM*