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I was going thru some boxes that came with my car and found this. I'm pretty sure it's the original plate as there are others down thru the years that matched the history of the car. I have found all the previous owners except the original owner. Do you think Michigan DMV is the place to go, or are there easier places?
For about the 110th time, NO DMV will give you ANY info on previous owners due to the newer privacy laws. If you want to be made to feel like a criminal/terrorist waste your time by going down to the office and requesting such info...
Frankie is correct no DMV will give out past car owners period, end of story. You may contact the second owner and ask him or her about whom the bought the car from and other questions you may have.
Frankie is correct no DMV will give out past car owners period, end of story. You may contact the second owner and ask him or her about whom the bought the car from and other questions you may have.
Well, I tried that, he didn't know. The original owner traded the car back to the dealership after a year and that dealership, White Chevrolet in Ann Arbor, Mi, is long out of business. My history of the car is complete except for the name of the original owner.
99% of us out here don't have a clue who the original owner of our classic was. Don't feel too bad. On my Corvette, I have no history at all past the family I just got it from. 1961-1978 is a total blank.
I'm not upset, I have more info than most have. It's just that I came across a tangible piece of information that could lead me to a name and I can't do anything with it.
I'm not upset, I have more info than most have. It's just that I came across a tangible piece of information that could lead me to a name and I can't do anything with it.
Unfortunately you are correct that Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) does not retain those records. Back in the day, before computers, the files were not retained beyond seven years.
I was fortunate that my car (67 model year) had a POP with the original owners name. That made my search a little easier and I located the original owner who provided pictures and information on the car.
Keep plugging, maybe you will be successful.
Florida DMV clerk had the prior owner of my 61 Corvette up on her computer screen (Brevard County) when I registered my '61 in Orange County in 2007. It didn't matter, even if they HAVE the records you aren't gonna get the info.... When I asked it got kicked up to a supervisor who glared at me and asked, "why do you want that ?"
Well, I tried that, he didn't know. The original owner traded the car back to the dealership after a year and that dealership, White Chevrolet in Ann Arbor, Mi, is long out of business. My history of the car is complete except for the name of the original owner.
You are very lucky to find out that much information on your Corvette. Most of the time people traded these cars into dealerships that are no longer in business or sold them outright to someone and the can not remember who they sold it to or at the time didn't care as long as they got there $$$$ for the car. Also a lot of the people who bought these car never saved the name or info from the person they bought it from, they did not care all they cared about is they now have a Corvette. So my fellow member you should feel lucky and proud that you were able to track your car back as far as you did.
Last edited by Mike Terry; 03-22-2017 at 12:24 PM.
I found the second owners name and number a couple of years ago and called him. It was great, he's about 85 now and told me a lot about my car. Evidently he had a lot of trouble with it and was glad to get rid of it. Not what you want to hear, but it's history! He also had it painted midnight blue and I can still find traces of it. Very interesting, as he filled in some gaps. He gave me some clues as to the original owner but they were all dead ends.
Would be cool to get the plate reissued/registered. I have done that in Florida with 1960 tags for both my Cadillac and Corvette. The vette tag I bought from a collector and it had never been used so brand new condition.
I would have to register it in Michigan, right? Don't think they would do that to a car that lives in Texas, and I don't know the laws concerning classic cars in Michigan.
I would have to register it in Michigan, right? Don't think they would do that to a car that lives in Texas, and I don't know the laws concerning classic cars in Michigan.
Correct, to register the plate/car in Michigan, you have to have a residence in the state. I have a year of manufacture (YOM) plate on my car. Pay a one time fee of $35 and that plate is legal as long as you own the car. Use of the plate is for driving to club events, shows, maintenance and for the month of August for the Woodward Dream Cruise.
03-21-2017, 08:23 AM
Original License Plate
Frankie is correct no DMV will give out past car owners period, end of story. You may contact the second owner and ask him or her about whom the bought the car from and other questions you may have.
