car history
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
car history
Has anyone ever been successful in tracing down the history of their car? All I know about mine it was sold new at a dealership in Maryland; the previous owner(s) kept it their until I bought it from a car dealer in NC last year. I don't think DMV's keep such records and it would be nice just to have the info.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
It's not going to be easy with today's privacy laws but if it were me I would start with the dealer you bought it from. Find out where he got it. Was it another dealer, private party or auction. I would try to contact that party and keep going as far as you can.
If you haven't already, obtain a copy of the original window sticker from the National Corvette Museum. That will tell you who the original selling dealer was. Contact them and tell them what you are trying to do and see if they will help. Once in a while you may find someone who will contact the original buyer and see if he would object if they gave out he contact information to you. From there you just keep following the trail.
A carfax could come in handy if it reports repairs in a certain city. You can then check dealers in that city. Your local GM dealer also has access to the VIS report on the car which again would give you info on any dealers that performed maintenance.
It isnt going to be easy and you cant do it overnight but the key for me was to find individuals sympathetic for what I was trying to do and making sure I only was interested in the history of the car and wasn't upset or going to sue anyone. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
If you haven't already, obtain a copy of the original window sticker from the National Corvette Museum. That will tell you who the original selling dealer was. Contact them and tell them what you are trying to do and see if they will help. Once in a while you may find someone who will contact the original buyer and see if he would object if they gave out he contact information to you. From there you just keep following the trail.
A carfax could come in handy if it reports repairs in a certain city. You can then check dealers in that city. Your local GM dealer also has access to the VIS report on the car which again would give you info on any dealers that performed maintenance.
It isnt going to be easy and you cant do it overnight but the key for me was to find individuals sympathetic for what I was trying to do and making sure I only was interested in the history of the car and wasn't upset or going to sue anyone. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
Thanks for the info!!! Carfax was helpful in locating where it was sold at, etc. I was able to find a inspection form tucked away in the owners manual saying it was inspected at a dealer in Silver Springs MD. So far the trail has led me from the plant, to this dealer, then to an auction firm in MD to the dealer in NC and then to me. Seems like it was leased for about 4 years, someone bought it and kept it for 7-8 years and traded back to the dealer, then they sent it to the auction block. I hadn't thought about the VIS report(good point) and I guess that will be my next stop. I am just a 'stickler' for all the info I can have on a car. Thanks for the info again.
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That's true in most cases, but if the dealer that originally took delivery of the car from the factory ended up trading the car in a dealer trade, then that presents another twist. But the original dealer should have records of where the car was traded to and you can go from there.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I understand wanting the history. Mine was only a year old when I acquired it from a dealer who had bought it at auction. I gradually found the owner from contacting the originating dealer. When your through with this you can open your own detective agency.
Another thought would be to check with local Corvette clubs in those respective areas. They may have contacts that can help when you hit a wall.
Another thought would be to check with local Corvette clubs in those respective areas. They may have contacts that can help when you hit a wall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Here is what I did to find my 04 vert’s two previous owners. I saw on Car Fax the vehicle was first registered in MD. Car Fax has the title number. Went on MD DMV web site and there is a procedure where you can get information about the titled vehicle by requesting a records check using the title number and VIN number. You will have to complete a form and there is a charge for the information. If the vehicle was first titled in a person’s name, (mine was in a company’s name) that info will be redacted. But the info that they do send you I found was useful in trying to document the vehicle's life. I did the same procedure with the second owner that lived in PA. Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I also should have mentioned that Gene Culley from Cultrag Performance will provide you a free GM VIS report if you will pm him your car's vin. Gene is a good guy and does not charge for the report.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Denver North Carolina
St Jude Donor '15
I bought my 2003 Z 2 years ago from a dealer in PA. There was only one previous owner and the name was on the tittle that was turned over to me. Some Google searches and I got home and work address for the previous owner. I sent 2 letters over 6 months and the original owner contacted me and sent all the records he had on the car. Worked out really well and I was also able to talk with the owner and get some history on the car
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
I feel like I work for CSI now!!!!! I contacted Gene(great guy) and he has helped a lot. Seems like the code on my DIC in the history showed up on his report so that makes me feel good. Next stop is the dealer in Silver Spring MD, and onto Maryland DMV!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Columbia MD
Sport Cheverolet is the dealer in Silver Spring, MD and they are usually very supportive to Vette owners. They sponser us...Corvette Club of America #1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
This is an old thread but I am finally able to maybe put closure to this. It took alot of persistence and some help from forum members. I now have all the history anyone could have on their car. Today I was able to talk to the previous owner and he SAVED all his maintenance/service records on the car. My 2003 left the factory, went to a dealer in Fayetteville, NC, was transferred to a dealer in Washington DC where the owner used it for a daily driver(put 22,000 on it in one year); traded back in to Sport Chevy where the next owner owned it for 10 years, traded back in to Sport Chevy where it was auction off and sent back to NC where I picked it up. Life is good!!!
always cool to know the history!
