***Tracking down original owner***
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I purchased mine from the guy, that ordered the car new. He kept all the paper work and original parts he replaced over the 32 years he owned it. His wife told me she did not like the car back in the day, because all the girls were always checking out her man in it.
He ordered it in November of 1972, and picked it up in March of 1973. I bought it on my deceased fathers birthday in 2005. I graduated high school in 1973. It is a great car, and will be part of my family for many years to come.
He ordered it in November of 1972, and picked it up in March of 1973. I bought it on my deceased fathers birthday in 2005. I graduated high school in 1973. It is a great car, and will be part of my family for many years to come.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I ound the original owner of my car, I had to deal with a dealer that my car was sold it in 2003 (J&S motors in indiana. They were no help and refused to even look through there records) I offered to pay them and still got hung up on. I found in some of the paperwork I had a receipt, The name on it turned out to be the guy who purchased the car from the original owner and restored it. He was happy to give me the name of the original owner, The restorer said he gave alot of history paperwork to J&S motors. The original owner is in his seventies. He shared with me a few stories with me and how the car finally became a driveway fixture for many years, until is was purchased and loaded unto a flatbed. I am thinking about hiring http://www.autoancestry.com/ to get the resto pics and receipts over the years that J&S motors still have
Last edited by bkvette3; Sep 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: ft walton beach florida
I ound the original owner of my car, I had to deal with a dealer that my car was sold it in 2003 (J&S motors in indiana. They were no help and refused to even look through there records) I offered to pay them and still got hung up on. I found in some of the paperwork I had a receipt, The name on it turned out to be the guy who purchased the car from the original owner and restored it. He was happy to give me the name of the original owner, The restorer said he gave alot of history paperwork to J&S motors. The original owner is in his seventies. He shared with me a few stories with me and how the car finally became a driveway fixture for many years, until is was purchased and loaded unto a flatbed. I am thinking about hiring http://www.autoancestry.com/ to get the resto pics and receipts over the years that J&S motors still have
Last edited by URNXT; Sep 28, 2009 at 10:08 PM. Reason: spelling
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Interesting story, Too bad there was no help from J&S Motors but with the privacy act today, I kind of understand why they would not help you. Good luck and let me know the success of hiring Autoancestry, if you go that route to finalize your car's history. I checked out their website and it sounds like something I would be willing to try. Thanks for posting. Take care.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I have a friend in Fisher Indiana that might be able to help you out. His family has been in the car business for many years 60+ years, in Indy and he knows alot of people in Indiana in the car business. Save your money, untill you hear from me. Sounds like J&S motors needs a wake up call. Their behavior is Un American. Semper Fi
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Ditto for my '68. The smoking gun quit smoking years ago. I did speak with a previous owner who literally owned my car twice and who (I suspect) was the culprit responsible for the lousy bodywork done on it.
I'm closer on my '80. I may be the third owner.
I'm closer on my '80. I may be the third owner.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
I've talked to the second owner of my '70 but he can't remember the original owners name. If anyone is in the Newington/New Britain Ct area and would like to help me out, please let me know.
I'd love to find out what dealership the car came from and if the original owner has any old pictures or documents of my car.
I'd love to find out what dealership the car came from and if the original owner has any old pictures or documents of my car.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I've talked to the second owner of my '70 but he can't remember the original owners name. If anyone is in the Newington/New Britain Ct area and would like to help me out, please let me know.
I'd love to find out what dealership the car came from and if the original owner has any old pictures or documents of my car.
I'd love to find out what dealership the car came from and if the original owner has any old pictures or documents of my car.
Good luck with the history search on your '70
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
According to owner number three, I'm the fourth owner. He bought it from a used car dealer in Oregon. From the protect-o-plate, I have the name and address of the original owner. Tried to contact him years ago with no luck. Got ambitious a few days ago and started doing some serious searching on the internet. Just found out today the original owner has passed away, but came up with the name and cell number of his 51 year old son. Hopefully he remembers the car and can shed some light on owner number two. I have a copy of the California registration for owner number two, with name and address blanked out. That is all I could get from the Oregon DMV for a fee. I'm beginning to feel like a private investigator.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 98
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am the 5th owner of my car and I tracked it back and talked to all except the original owner. I have his name, just cant find him. He probably passed on.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
According to owner number three, I'm the fourth owner. He bought it from a used car dealer in Oregon. From the protect-o-plate, I have the name and address of the original owner. Tried to contact him years ago with no luck. Got ambitious a few days ago and started doing some serious searching on the internet. Just found out today the original owner has passed away, but came up with the name and cell number of his 51 year old son. Hopefully he remembers the car and can shed some light on owner number two. I have a copy of the California registration for owner number two, with name and address blanked out. That is all I could get from the Oregon DMV for a fee. I'm beginning to feel like a private investigator.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have the original registration card for my 72 and have the name and original address of the first owner who onwed the car for one year.
I met the second owner, who was really the "keeper of the car" (27 years and dozens of trophies) who told me the first owner was in his forties when he bought the car - which might him in is 80's today.
I had an idea to track him down then thought if I called and get - "oh Grandpa is not with us anymore"
So I left it alone.
I met the second owner, who was really the "keeper of the car" (27 years and dozens of trophies) who told me the first owner was in his forties when he bought the car - which might him in is 80's today.
I had an idea to track him down then thought if I called and get - "oh Grandpa is not with us anymore"
So I left it alone.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I have the original registration card for my 72 and have the name and original address of the first owner who onwed the car for one year.
I met the second owner, who was really the "keeper of the car" (27 years and dozens of trophies) who told me the first owner was in his forties when he bought the car - which might him in is 80's today.
I had an idea to track him down then thought if I called and get - "oh Grandpa is not with us anymore"
So I left it alone.
I met the second owner, who was really the "keeper of the car" (27 years and dozens of trophies) who told me the first owner was in his forties when he bought the car - which might him in is 80's today.
I had an idea to track him down then thought if I called and get - "oh Grandpa is not with us anymore"
So I left it alone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Very good work. Of all the documentation, the protect-o-plate is the only thing I don't have. Sure would be nice to have the original owner's name. I would give the owner's son a call and see if he remembers his father's old Vette. I am sure there are some good memories there. Thanks for posting your story. Good luck with your Vette's history search.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Just got off the phone with the original owner's son. He was ten years old when his dad bought the "Yellow Banana" and he remembers vividly riding in the car. Told me his dad got into a lot of "trouble" with the car. He told me he is a car guy and has himself restored several Boss Mustangs and Mach 1's. I e-mailed him a bunch of photos and he is going to call his dad's brother-in-law, who owned an L88 and restores old vettes. Supposedly he has a lot of information about my car. This is getting very cool.
Last edited by bkvette3; Sep 29, 2009 at 10:42 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Brampton Ontario
I had the original owners address, verified it as current. Sent a 8x10 color pic of car and a friendly note. Never heard back. Who knows maybe the guy had passed away or wasnt sentimental.It was a 25 year time gap between ownership Thought it would be cool idea. I would have liked someone to contact me.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Kotka, Finland
I purchased my '76 from South Carolina 3 years ago. I have the name and address of the previous owner but no phone number or email.
I'm really curious about the car's history and if anyone would like to help me, please let me know. I'm willing to pay $$ for help.
I'm really curious about the car's history and if anyone would like to help me, please let me know. I'm willing to pay $$ for help.