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Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird??

22 messages,  Last post on Jul 10, 2012 at 12:35 PM

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Messages Page 2 of 3

#3 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [1970firebird] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 06, 2012 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: 1970firebird (May 10, 2012 5:25 am)
sometimes it's a tough thing to do because of privacy issues. Also many state DMVs don't keep records for too long--they purge them out of the computers.
 
You might try scrounging around the car, under seats, etc. Sometimes that turns up some interesting clues!
 
You can also contact the national Firebird Club and see what suggestions they might have for you:
 
http://www.firebirdtaclub.com/
 

#4 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [Mr_Shiftright] by 1970firebird

Jun 07, 2012 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2012 5:33 pm)
That's an awesome idea Mr Shiftright, I'd have NEVER EVER thought of thought, thanks VERY much!!

#5 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [1970firebird] by uplanderguy

Jun 09, 2012 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: 1970firebird (Jun 07, 2012 8:05 pm)
Unless I missed it, I don't think you said that the original owner was from PA. You might try Pontiac Historical Services ("PHS", for most Pontiac buffs), which for a fee will give you original paperwork for your car. They should have online information.

#6 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [uplanderguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 09, 2012 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jun 09, 2012 5:15 pm)
won't show the buyer, though. Might show where the car was shipped to, however, after manufacture.

#7 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [Mr_Shiftright] by uplanderguy

Jun 10, 2012 (3:59 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 09, 2012 6:30 pm)
It should show the destination. That would quickly let him know if his theory is correct or not. We are so lucky in the Studebaker hobby that names and addresses of original owners are available at the Studebaker National Museum archives, but only for 1960 and newer models.
 
Looking back, I don't see that his father-in-law was necessarily the original owner of the Firebird, though.
 
I've heard that people used to successfully do title searches on cars, but the past fifteen or twenty years has changed all that.

#8 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [uplanderguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 10, 2012 (8:49 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jun 10, 2012 3:59 am)
A lot of it is due to privacy laws. I'm surprised the Studebaker museum gets away with it actually, but probably a lot of those people are dead by now, so no one raises a stink. I certainly don't want someone tracking me down about the '63 Riviera I used to own. I'd much rather post the info on a club registry.

#9 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [Mr_Shiftright] by uplanderguy

Jun 10, 2012 (9:47 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 10, 2012 8:49 am)
I'd be pleasantly surprised if someone who owns a car I used to own, contacted me. I can't think of a single negative. After all, we're car guys.

#10 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [uplanderguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 10, 2012 (11:22 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jun 10, 2012 9:47 am)
yeah I hear ya, but it's kind of creepy to be tracked down. Some people can be very intrusive and real busybodies.
 
Really you don't mind some stranger knocking on your door asking you if you still have the left rear hubcap and was it you who welded the frame that just broke?

#11 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [Mr_Shiftright] by uplanderguy

Jun 10, 2012 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 10, 2012 11:22 am)
Not even remotely.
 
I know two folks personally, now, who were original owners of '60's Studes. Someone called the one guy, asking about his '64 supercharged black Cruiser sedan from the info in the museum. He's not a Stude hobbyist and was amused by being contacted. The second person was a 20-year old college student when she bought her new Avanti and was delighted that I was able to get her retail sale card copy from the museum.

#12 of 22 Re: Finding out the past owners of my 1970 Firebird?? [uplanderguy] by texases

Jun 10, 2012 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Jun 10, 2012 12:52 pm)
Well, a Stude fan may not mind an odd call from another Stude fan, but as a general rule, no way! Say the third owner has an accident and somehow tracks me down, claiming it was something I did. No thanks.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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