Topic: Car history
in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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I want to track the history of my car this winter. I have a 1978 two-tone silver anniversary corvette. The problem is that the vin number is only 13 characters. All internet sites recognize the longer 17 item number. Where do I go to do research about my car. Any help will be appreciated.
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Short of knowing each previous owner, you really have no alternatives. There are some states you can pay for a title search of a car's history, but you need to know what states to work with.
GM is no help. As far as I know, they haven't retained (or found) such records of what dealers cars were sent to from the factory from that time period.
Your best bet may be writing to as many Corvette sites as possible...maybe a previous owner will recognize your car and be able to fill in some of the history.
Try some Corvette registry sites other than this one. Out of curiosity some time back I tracked an older car I once owned (not a Vette) by a registry site and found the car...far from where I sold it years ago. I contacted the owner and was able to fill him in on much of the car's history.
Maybe you can get lucky.
GM is no help. As far as I know, they haven't retained (or found) such records of what dealers cars were sent to from the factory from that time period.
Your best bet may be writing to as many Corvette sites as possible...maybe a previous owner will recognize your car and be able to fill in some of the history.
Try some Corvette registry sites other than this one. Out of curiosity some time back I tracked an older car I once owned (not a Vette) by a registry site and found the car...far from where I sold it years ago. I contacted the owner and was able to fill him in on much of the car's history.
Maybe you can get lucky.
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
If you can get the build sheet off of the gas tank, I believe it will show the name and location of the original dealer. That would be somewhere to start.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Best bet will be your state DMV. Request a title search. If you're lucky, they will do it, and if you're REALLY lucky, it will go back far enough to find the name of the original owner. I was REALLY lucky searching the '74...
Check with your DMV. 
Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Best bet will be your state DMV. Request a title search. If you're lucky, they will do it, and if you're REALLY lucky, it will go back far enough to find the name of the original owner. I was REALLY lucky searching the '74...
Check with your DMV.
[/QUOTE]
Thought lot of states passed a privacy law around 2 yrs ago. cant do that any more. Have to have a legal reason for it, like a number or letter is wrong in vin # on title (misprint when changing owners). Then they'll trace title of the past owners of car til the vin comes out right. And hopefully give you the list
in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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