Tracking down vehicle history |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
914/4: 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 914/6: 70 71 72
Tracking down vehicle history |
Dutchbyname |
Oct 14 2017, 02:51 PM
Post
#1
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 14-October 17 From: Horsham Member No.: 21,509 Region Association: England |
Hi everyone. I’m new here and to 914 ownership. I recently purchased from an importer an early 914 which appears very original. I’m trying to trace a vehicle history if possible. I’m mainly interested in past owners things like that. Here in the UK getting history from our DVLC has become much harder over the years. I’ve tried to get hold of your government body but draw a blank straight away. Am I wasting my time with this or is there a way?
Regards to all Andy |
orthobiz |
Oct 15 2017, 06:11 AM
Post
#2
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,754 Joined: 8-January 07 From: Cadillac, Michigan Member No.: 7,438 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
From an importer? I'm thinking that perhaps the car was in the US and is now in the UK? I would look at any of the papers that came with the car, search for the people on the web and try to contact them.
Post pictures of the car here, you'd be surprised at how many people recognize their own car or even their buddy's car (or "mate's car" in UK?). Also check the VIN database here. Paul |
Dutchbyname |
Oct 16 2017, 05:41 AM
Post
#3
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 14-October 17 From: Horsham Member No.: 21,509 Region Association: England |
From an importer? I'm thinking that perhaps the car was in the US and is now in the UK? I would look at any of the papers that came with the car, search for the people on the web and try to contact them. Post pictures of the car here, you'd be surprised at how many people recognize their own car or even their buddy's car (or "mate's car" in UK?). Also check the VIN database here. Paul Hi Paul Yes my apologies the car was imported from California this year around June time. To the UK! I’ll get this right soon I’m sure. I’ll post pictures up when I sus out how too. And yes mates is correct although our terms cross more than one might think. Cheers fella Andy |
Racer |
Oct 16 2017, 06:52 PM
Post
#4
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Northern Virginia Member No.: 1,073 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
There is no common database here for vehicle owners, especially a car of your's age. You could start with the VIN and engine number and request a COA from Porsche. This should tell you the basics of the car and how it was configured, pending the dealer messing around with it. However, it won't tell you where it was sold (what state) or to whom.
Since purchased from an "importer", they may or may not have had any supporting paperwork for the car. That would be your best bet. From the pics, the car had California plates. Perhaps there is a way to "reverse look up" in a california database, at least who the last owner was.. then hit the internet. Adding or checking for the vehicles VIN in the 914world database would be worth a try too. |
Dutchbyname |
Oct 17 2017, 01:44 AM
Post
#5
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 14-October 17 From: Horsham Member No.: 21,509 Region Association: England |
There is no common database here for vehicle owners, especially a car of your's age. You could start with the VIN and engine number and request a COA from Porsche. This should tell you the basics of the car and how it was configured, pending the dealer messing around with it. However, it won't tell you where it was sold (what state) or to whom. Since purchased from an "importer", they may or may not have had any supporting paperwork for the car. That would be your best bet. From the pics, the car had California plates. Perhaps there is a way to "reverse look up" in a california database, at least who the last owner was.. then hit the internet. Adding or checking for the vehicles VIN in the 914world database would be worth a try too. Thank you for your reply. I’ve got a few bits of paperwork and I’ve hit the net and got various bits of history. I’ve drawn a blank at going any further with it all. I will enter the vin on the data base but if my investigation work is correct I’m going to be loading a new car to the system. I had the same problem with past US imports I’ve had. Such a shame. |
cal44 |
Oct 18 2017, 09:36 AM
Post
#6
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 165 Joined: 8-October 09 From: Encinitas, Ca. Member No.: 10,910 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Don't spend to much time on this. I've been doing old cars in California for decades and finding out past ownership is long gone. That is unless I'm doing it wrong.
|
Dutchbyname |
Oct 18 2017, 10:48 AM
Post
#7
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 14-October 17 From: Horsham Member No.: 21,509 Region Association: England |
Don't spend to much time on this. I've been doing old cars in California for decades and finding out past ownership is long gone. That is unless I'm doing it wrong. Thanks cal44. I’ve been lucky enough to have some paperwork but you guys have tied down info so tight I think the life’s gone out of it. I’ll keep plugging away until I’ve upset everybody on my investigation list. Cheers bud |
Specracer |
Oct 18 2017, 05:15 PM
Post
#8
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 100 Joined: 27-March 17 From: SE Mass Member No.: 20,970 Region Association: None |
Because of modern privacy laws, California dmv is no longer a source for info, I remember reading this on their website if I recall. I've tried. I have a 66 vehicle, I have rumors that the original owner was Disney land, but I can't find some way to confirm. I have had a federal agent run it, but their data didn't go back far enough. Info is there, as this vehicle still had its California "black" plate.
|
dr914@autoatlanta.com |
Nov 2 2017, 08:09 AM
Post
#9
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,821 Joined: 3-January 07 From: atlanta georgia Member No.: 7,418 Region Association: None |
we have had good luck hiring a title clerk to do research for us with amazing results. If we do not know the registration state of the car, we put the id number into the government data bank (places like carfax use this) and usually the last registered location of the car comes up. THEN we look on the internet for a good title clerk usually in the state capitol region and hire them to do research. They can look in the archives, find the last registered owner as well as from whom they purchased, and from there trace the history in that state until the trail stops with the first time the car came into the state. THEN they get that out of state title information, and YOU go to that state and start the process all over again. States have title information that goes way back.
|
Dutchbyname |
Nov 2 2017, 04:18 PM
Post
#10
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 5 Joined: 14-October 17 From: Horsham Member No.: 21,509 Region Association: England |
we have had good luck hiring a title clerk to do research for us with amazing results. If we do not know the registration state of the car, we put the id number into the government data bank (places like carfax use this) and usually the last registered location of the car comes up. THEN we look on the internet for a good title clerk usually in the state capitol region and hire them to do research. They can look in the archives, find the last registered owner as well as from whom they purchased, and from there trace the history in that state until the trail stops with the first time the car came into the state. THEN they get that out of state title information, and YOU go to that state and start the process all over again. States have title information that goes way back. This is a fantastic bit of news! Thank you so much for this. The car was new in CA and has never left CA from what I can see. But if your saying that there’s a chance I can prove the suspected one main owner from new I would be over the moon. Thank you very much for your advice I’m obliged Kind regards Andy |
dr914@autoatlanta.com |
Nov 3 2017, 08:36 AM
Post
#11
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,821 Joined: 3-January 07 From: atlanta georgia Member No.: 7,418 Region Association: None |
yes just did the same thing for my original 84 911 I purchased new. Found the current owner in California and am negotiating to buy it back from him. Still have the original window sticker!
we have had good luck hiring a title clerk to do research for us with amazing results. If we do not know the registration state of the car, we put the id number into the government data bank (places like carfax use this) and usually the last registered location of the car comes up. THEN we look on the internet for a good title clerk usually in the state capitol region and hire them to do research. They can look in the archives, find the last registered owner as well as from whom they purchased, and from there trace the history in that state until the trail stops with the first time the car came into the state. THEN they get that out of state title information, and YOU go to that state and start the process all over again. States have title information that goes way back. This is a fantastic bit of news! Thank you so much for this. The car was new in CA and has never left CA from what I can see. But if your saying that there’s a chance I can prove the suspected one main owner from new I would be over the moon. Thank you very much for your advice I’m obliged Kind regards Andy |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 29th April 2024 - 11:45 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |