***Tracking down original owner***
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
***Tracking down original owner***
Just curious, Has anybody been able to track down the original owner of their C3's. I imagine this would be quite the task providing that you had some paperwork with the car. I think it would be pretty cool to hear the reaction of the original owner hearing that his/her C3 is still out there. Who knows, they might still have that original part that you are still looking for or even some more paperwork and old photos of the car back in the day. Pretty neat to find out where your car has been through all these years. I am sure there is some interesting stories out there. Please post some. Who knows, maybe the "original" owner of your C3 is on line right now!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
I found the original owner that purchased my '71 new. I bought it from him in 1975 then he moved out of state a few years later. I have a copy of the original title and was googling his name last month and discovered that he and his wife moved back to the area. I also found an email address for him, but I haven't contacted him.
Should I?
Should I?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
I was able to contact the original owner of my 1971 after a quick Google search. I don't think it took me more than a few minutes to get contact info. He owned the car for its first 28 years and was quite interested to hear about it. 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I found the original owner that purchased my '71 new. I bought it from him in 1975 then he moved out of state a few years later. I have a copy of the original title and was googling his name last month and discovered that he and his wife moved back to the area. I also found an email address for him, but I haven't contacted him.
Should I?
Should I?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
I was the second owner of our 1st day production '70 roadster. I had the original paperwork, including bill of sale and protecto-plate, and was able to track down the original owner still living in Palm Springs.
We went out there and met with her and showed her the car and talked about its history.
We went out there and met with her and showed her the car and talked about its history.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I was the second owner of our 1st day production '70 roadster. I had the original paperwork, including bill of sale and protecto-plate, and was able to track down the original owner still living in Palm Springs.
We went out there and met with her and showed her the car and talked about its history.
We went out there and met with her and showed her the car and talked about its history.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I was lucky. I bought mine from the second owner. The original owner was his next door neighbor.
The person I bought it from noticed a new Corvette in his neighbors driveway and went over and asked him if he bought a new Corvette. He said yes, that he had traded his old one in that morning.
The soon to be "second owner" went straight to the Chevy dealer and bought it.
The original owner neighbor thought he was joking when he told him if he ever wanted to sell his Vette he'd buy it, so he never made the offer, just traded it in.
I was asking all the usual questions while looking the car over, and the seller asked If I would like to talk to the original owner for verification. I said yes that would be nice and he said, "well, I see he's home, we can walk over and talk to him". Sealed the deal for me.
The person I bought it from noticed a new Corvette in his neighbors driveway and went over and asked him if he bought a new Corvette. He said yes, that he had traded his old one in that morning.
The soon to be "second owner" went straight to the Chevy dealer and bought it.
The original owner neighbor thought he was joking when he told him if he ever wanted to sell his Vette he'd buy it, so he never made the offer, just traded it in.
I was asking all the usual questions while looking the car over, and the seller asked If I would like to talk to the original owner for verification. I said yes that would be nice and he said, "well, I see he's home, we can walk over and talk to him". Sealed the deal for me.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I was lucky. I bought mine from the second owner. The original owner was his next door neighbor.
The person I bought it from noticed a new Corvette in his neighbors driveway and went over and asked him if he bought a new Corvette. He said yes, that he had traded his old one in that morning.
The soon to be "second owner" went straight to the Chevy dealer and bought it.
The original owner neighbor thought he was joking when he told him if he ever wanted to sell his Vette he'd buy it, so he never made the offer, just traded it in.
I was asking all the usual questions while looking the car over, and the seller asked If I would like to talk to the original owner for verification. I said yes that would be nice and he said, "well, I see he's home, we can walk over and talk to him". Sealed the deal for me.
The person I bought it from noticed a new Corvette in his neighbors driveway and went over and asked him if he bought a new Corvette. He said yes, that he had traded his old one in that morning.
The soon to be "second owner" went straight to the Chevy dealer and bought it.
The original owner neighbor thought he was joking when he told him if he ever wanted to sell his Vette he'd buy it, so he never made the offer, just traded it in.
I was asking all the usual questions while looking the car over, and the seller asked If I would like to talk to the original owner for verification. I said yes that would be nice and he said, "well, I see he's home, we can walk over and talk to him". Sealed the deal for me.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Just a little history on my search for my 1968 L/36. So far I have traced ownernship of this 68 back to 1984 when it was living life in the great state of Montana, USA. It then went to North Dakota (approx. 1987-88). (I have these gentlemen's names) and in 1993 I imported it into Canada. Originally sold in Chicago, Illinois - Zone 11, Dealership 023 -according to the tank sticker. Just trying to make contact with these previous owners to see if by chance they still have any old photos, service bills, or any more info on the car or know of other previous owners. Would like to hear some of their stories about the car. I think it would be cool to make contact with the original owner (if possible) and to hear their reaction that their old Vette is still in existence. The search continues!!! Has anybody else have any success in tracing the history of their car??? Thanks to everyone providing info. That is why this forum is so good. Its the members.
Last edited by bkvette3; Sep 27, 2009 at 04:57 PM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 356
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
I gave up hope on my 68......too many used car dealers sold it from 68 to 85 when I bought it.......the 69 is a different story. I bought it a little while back from the original owner..As I loaded it onto the trailer he kissed the rear quarter. Barely spoke English. Mario (the original owner) gave me pics of the car in 69....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BK3,
I think LOTS of present owners are curious about their car's history as you are.
In one of the NCRS magazines, called THE DRIVELINE, there's a section of classified ads called Information Wanted. It's made up of people like you looking for their car's former owners.
There are also a few businesses that specialize in tracking down former owners and history.
Good Hunting!
Regards,
Alan
I think LOTS of present owners are curious about their car's history as you are.
In one of the NCRS magazines, called THE DRIVELINE, there's a section of classified ads called Information Wanted. It's made up of people like you looking for their car's former owners.
There are also a few businesses that specialize in tracking down former owners and history.
Good Hunting!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
I gave up hope on my 68......too many used car dealers sold it from 68 to 85 when I bought it.......the 69 is a different story. I bought it a little while back from the original owner..As I loaded it onto the trailer he kissed the rear quarter. Barely spoke English. Mario (the original owner) gave me pics of the car in 69....
. I still remember to this day as I was picking it up - with tears in his eye, he shook my hand and told me to take great care of his baby. I promised him I would and as I was driving away, looking in the rear view mirror, he was crying like a baby. A few years later, he actually looked me up when he was in town and came to see his "baby". He was pleased that it still looked so good and was well taken care of. I even took him for a couple of "cold ones". I let him drive. I thought the tears were going to start again. Funny how these cars do this to a person. Thanks John - Take care
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Hi BK3,
I think LOTS of present owners are curious about their car's history as you are.
In one of the NCRS magazines, called THE DRIVELINE, there's a section of classified ads called Information Wanted. It's made up of people like you looking for their car's former owners.
There are also a few businesses that specialize in tracking down former owners and history.
Good Hunting!
Regards,
Alan
I think LOTS of present owners are curious about their car's history as you are.
In one of the NCRS magazines, called THE DRIVELINE, there's a section of classified ads called Information Wanted. It's made up of people like you looking for their car's former owners.
There are also a few businesses that specialize in tracking down former owners and history.
Good Hunting!
Regards,
Alan
Take care.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: ft walton beach florida
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
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