Tracing an E-Type's history in America

[Nickleback]

I've just purchased an imported e type jaguar from the USA last year & I need some help as to how to set about finding out it's ownership history and any work done to the car during the 44 years it was there.

The Heritage certificate states the last owner in the states and I have written to them, but have received no response. I know they sold it to West Coast Classics who I have contacted but they destroy all their records after 6 months.

I have also contacted the first UK owner & importer last year & he has also destroyed all 100+ photo's & records.

So now I'm stuck, does anyone have experience in this or can help me ?

[Moeregaard]

It varies state by state, but in California you can have the Dept of Motor Vehicles perform a title search. I did hear that the DMV did a major records purge in the mid-1990s, so this information may not be available. Another factor to consider is that California (and other states) carefully control access to motor-vehicle information due to privacy and security laws. If you haven't already done so, load your car's info into xkedata.com and perhaps one or more previous owners will chime in. Speaking from experience, nobody really "gets over" their E-Type after selling it

[Nickleback]

It varies state by state, but in California you can have the Dept of Motor Vehicles perform a title search. I did hear that the DMV did a major records purge in the mid-1990s, so this information may not be available. Another factor to consider is that California (and other states) carefully control access to motor-vehicle information due to privacy and security laws. If you haven't already done so, load your car's info into xkedata.com and perhaps one or more previous owners will chime in. Speaking from experience, nobody really "gets over" their E-Type after selling it

Thanks Moe for the update & help. I have written to the DMV, so will see what response we get from them.
I fully understand the "nobody gets over their e-type after selling" but surely they would want it preserved & carried on ?
The two previous owners I have traced, one in the UK (Importer) & one in the states (Dealer) have destroyed over a hundred digital photo's & info - it's like they have to wipe it from memory which is really sad :(
I have traced the car on xkedata.com who were really helpful on a positive note & gave me some great info.
Here's the link:
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=2R28165
8)

[rolando38]

I wrote to the DMV too, 2 months ago and still waiting for an answer...

[Nickleback]

Bit of an update:

Have traced the last owner in the States who has provided me with loads of photo's, a New York state registration document and a entry plague from the Newport Jaguar Festival in May 1978 which was found in the car behind the glove box.

So I now have some time lines & hard facts to work on as it appears the car was registered in New York, part of a deceased estate for 17 years, sold to Florida & then sold to LA.

It's seen nearly all of the USA in 45 years

Work is now ongoing with the New York DMV who I have been advised can be unique to say the least !

[rolando38]

still no answer in my case with California DMV
I think it's a dead end ...going luck with NY

[Nickleback]

I've also had no luck with the LA DMV, they just don't respond.
Some DMV's allow you to request information & pay a fee for the privilege of getting any info they have or may release, but this does vary from state to state, eg: Florida do allow this
However, I have also been advised that one way that you may get more information is to hire a history specialist in the USA with the state you are specifically interested in but have not checked this out yet ?

[rolando38]

I've sent several letters to POs whose names I found in owners manual and invoices but so far I only receiced my letters with ?return to sender adress unknown'