Is it possible to track down a vehicle my Dad once owned?

[Techstudent]

This isn't really Bronco related but I don't belong to any other vehicle forums.

My Dad once owned a 67 Camaro RS (In Maine) and I've lately been playing with the notion of attempting to locate it. It's been almost 50 years and it could be anywhere or non-existent. Other than having a photo of him standing next to it I have no documentation. zero.

I thought of maybe trying the DMV to see if it would be possible to locate a copy of a title or registration in his name. It's nothing really critical, I just wondered at the possibility.

Has anyone done this kind of thing? Is it possible or impossible to locate it?


Appreciate any thoughts or experiences!

 

[mebco09]

I think it depends on your state.

I don't think any would have records of old titles though. Here in Washington, they drop off of the computer after 5 or 6 years.

I would say that the best bet would be to go through your Dad's old paperwork if you have any. I know that we have vehicle records from my Grandpa that go back to the 50's that we keep, more for novelty than anything else. You have to find the VIN#

If you don't have any paperwork, maybe if you have a photo of him with it and a license plate #. That might get you started.

The only other thought would be to find out what dealer he bought it from. Some dealers are weird and keep everything. You might get lucky checking with them if they are still around.

I had a guy track me down because I bought his Dad's 66 Chevelle. It was 10 years or so after I bought it. Not sure how he did it, but you have to have something to start with.

 

[56f100bbw]

My first car in high school was a 67 Camaro RS 4 speed in Santa Ana calif bought in 1969 at GMAC repro lot paid $740. For the car only 30k miles dark blue blue int , good luck in your search

 

[bronconut73]

Or check with his insurance carrier.

 

[bronconut73]

I have also heard about people hiring private investigators.
The data you are looking for would be on micro-fische files here in Orlando Florida,

 

[abn373]

As a private investigator myself I can tell you that there is almost zero chance of locating that vehicle with the information you have, which is nothing.

Every state is different, but in most states once that state switched to computer databases it is extremely hard to find information prior. It's possibly microfiched SOMEWHERE, but may not be, especially after 50 years.


I assume you are looking for it in Montana since your profile says Missoula so I did a quick check and the link below is the state form to request vehicle records and seems to indicate that only the prior 6 years are available.

https://media.dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/MV210_v7.pdf

If you look at section #3 of the search information, they can't even search by plate # only (require expiration date). So it's not looking good. Most PIs will give a free phone consultation so maybe it's worth calling one in your state (or where your father resided when he owned it, if different) and see if they have better insights to the records there.

Now if you can somehow come up with the VIN I think you have a decent shot in some states.

Good luck.

 

[stevew]

From my experience in Montana it will never happen . As stated , once everybody went to computers old expired titles etc. were put out of the system . I had a buggered up Bronco title about 8 years ago than hadn't been renewed since the '90's & even with that the Deer Lodge DMV had nothing on it . I contacted the last owner on the title & they were able ( & willing ) to clear up an ancient lien on the title . So don't expect any help from the state .

 

[Techstudent]

I do appreciate the feedback all. The car was owned by him in Maine. It's not something of terrible importance. I may check, briefly, with the DMV and town office in which he resided. If there are no archived records that are accessible, I will look no further. I do greatly value your information and help!

 

[mebco09]

Another thought (fun one) would be to build one just like it!

 

[PickleJar]

Another thought (fun one) would be to build one just like it!

Same boat with my dads cars, a carnival red 75 trans am. He sold it when he got my mom pregnant, and don’t know what ever happened to it. I made it to buyer number 2 after him and lost the trail. So I’ve always hoped I’d be able to find one that needed restored and build one just like it. Be a fun project for us, if the opportunity presents itself.

I do have his 1967 Firebird, which is next in line after my bronco is finished so at least we have that going for us.

Back in the 80s he had a 1979 scout terra daily driver, really neat truck. I know where it is too, but that guy will never part with it. It’s in bad shape at this point and he does nothing with it but it’s at least inside...just being patient, someday maybe I’ll get ahold of it.

While the odds are against you, never know what may happen, I say try to do what you can and if not, build one...

 

[bbolander]

If you could somehow get the VIN# that would be key. I sold my Bronco 12 years ago. About 3 years ago I did a Google Search on it's VIN# and it came up on Cloud9 Classics website as having been sold by them in 2016. The site had tons of pictures of it in 2016.

 

[broncnaz]

Bad part is that old vehicles in the eastern US are few and far between due to the rust issues. You could get lucky but highly doubtful.

 

[green61bug]

If your dad used a local insurance agent you can possibly get the vin from them if they are still around. Another thing to do would take whatever photos you have and join every Camaro forum you can find posting the photo. Use Facebook and Instagram too. Social media is powerful... Tell your story and get it out there to all the folks that are into those cars. The only way to verify it 50 years later is going to be with a vin number tho.

 

[sprdv1]

Anything is possible if you put in the effort.. Good luck

 

[coachbarnes]

Good luck! I've been looking for mine for several years now and I have the VIN and the license plate when I sold it. http://www.findmybronco.com

 

[stretch]

It's funny that you mentioned a 67 Camaro RS. My dad had the same car, sold it when I turned 16 and found out that you can't trust a 16yo right foot. I was really pissed at the time, but now that I'm a dad, I would do the same thing.

I would love to find that car. I know the guy that bought it from him restored it and heard it was still in SoCal, but who knows at this point.

 

[price209]

Maybe ask your dad if he ever got in a traffic accident or got a ticket driving in it, some Law Enforcement Agencies keep really old archives, but again since things went digital a lot has probably been discarded.

 

[Pa PITT]

... About 2 or 3 years ago Some lady joined here. She was looking for her Husbands I believe.
Everyone on here pitched in & She did most of the work but She did find the Bronco.
I'd think you'd have to have the VIN. bUT MAYBE AN OLD PICTURE OF THE License PLATE would be enough for the state to get you the VIN.

 

[Techstudent]

I'd think you'd have to have the VIN. bUT MAYBE AN OLD PICTURE OF THE License PLATE would be enough for the state to get you the VIN.

Well, It's not much but I was scrounging through some old photos and found a photo (taken in 1970). I can make out the license plate number. I thought it was an RS but it is a true 396 SS and '68' rather than '67'! It's not much but, perhaps, something to go on? I haven't been in touch with the DMV but may stop by here soon to see if I might be able to cross reference the plate to obain a VIN#?

Yes I do live in Maine and, if the car stayed in Maine, not much chance it survived with the road salt and wet climate. Might be a chance it survived if it ended up elsewhere.