![]() At that point there will either be a copy of the previous title or its number and issuing state. Many times during this process you will receive copies of titles that go back to when the vehicle entered the state. Therefore, you have to start with the state from which the title you received at the time of purchase was issued and work backwards. In the final analysis, what you are trying to do is trace back each owner in succession, through the use of title searches. It's how you go about doing so that is the secret to success, so be patient and allow yourself to explore the intricacies of the system. Consider the DMV's of the 50 states to be a huge resource that is waiting to be tapped for information. Everybody hates the DMV, so you have to change your "mindset" about them. It is most likely that you will have to trace ownership through a DMV. Taking the time to decode your VIN number tells you so much that you can't afford not to do it. Nearly all of these have members who will decode VIN numbers or they post the information on the site. If you have the dealer's name you can go directly to them for records of the original purchaser.Īnother way to do it is to join an enthusiasts' website or forum. ![]() Many books about specific models have VIN decoder charts inside, frequently stating which dealer ordered the car. The date of manufacture indicates where in the production run the car might have been, what engineering changes might have been incorporated and whether or not claims by previous owners may be valid (unscrupulous sellers will say anything to increase the value of a car, so don't readily believe the car is "the first one off the line," "factory installed big block" or some other claim.)ĭecoding VIN numbers is easy these days. Knowing the factory location narrows down the geographic area where the car might have been delivered (Fords made in California didn't normally get shipped to New Jersey dealers, etc.). The factory location is important because most popular cars were produced in a number of different locations. ![]() The most important pieces of information are the place and date of manufacture. Some DMV's have records that go back many, many years. Other sources might be checkbooks, military records, tax records and old photos that show license plates. If you don't have old copies but have had the same insurance company/agent all these years, contact them and ask for a record check. * You can't find that old car you owned without the VIN number, so start searching through those old insurance policies. ![]() ![]() Why? Because the VIN contains critical information such as: where the car was manufactured production date interior and exterior colors accessories. Whether you're trying to locate a car you once owned* (it can be done!) or tracing the owners of the one you are restoring, the first thing you need to do is decode the VIN number. Here are some effective ways to trace your car's history that we've found quite effective. Knowing the history of your car adds tremendously to the restoration experience and it is worth the effort to find out where it was delivered and sold, then passed from owner to owner until it reached you. He declined an offer to see the car when the restoration was completed (very understandable.) He was pleased that the car was being restored but couldn't discuss his daughter's fate, even though over 20 years had passed. In that single case, a '66 Sunbeam Tiger, the original owner had sold the car after his daughter borrowed it one night and was found murdered. In every case - except one - we found previous owners more than willing to talk about their cars, and all were enthusiastic at knowing the cars were under restoration. ![]()
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