car history search in California

[rolando38]

hello

having recently purchased a Californian car, I only know its first owner in 1970 and last californian owner in 2006

I would like to trace history in-between

Paul Spurlock from www.xkedata.com told me that it was possible to get info writing to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Customer Communications
MS H165
PO Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450


has anyone tested ?

[rolando38]

I sent an enquiry a week ago, wait and see...

[Moeregaard]

Rolando, the DMV here in California performed a major overhaul of their records in the mid-1990s, and from what I've heard a lot of older information was lost/purged as a result. DMV records in California are considered public information, but getting them usually requires a lot of paperwork. I'd like to know if anyone else has had any luck by writing them. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[rolando38]

thanks Moeregaard
even if they only can trace the car history from 1990 to 2008, that'll help
still waiting for DMV reply

[andrewh]

I am still trying to find the history of my 3.8 OTS supplied new to Columbia pictures in 1962. 877488. I have discovered that there is a walt disney studios security pass 0177 dated 1992 stuck to the inside rear view mirror. Any ideas how to find out who had that pass? I have tried googling WD studios in Burbank but cannot get anywhere. Anyone live in Burbank ?? I live in hope!! I assume that it was owned at that stage by someone involved in the industry who may know the history prior to then. Still hoping it was Steve McQueens!

[cdaubs]

I can tell you that even though the information may be considered "Public Information" California DMV will not release any registered owner information without a signature from the current owner allowing such release. Also, don't hold your breath waiting to hear directly from our DMV. They are NOT public service minded.

As for past history information - forget about it, not gonna happen, sadly. Many states do keep the records and gladly help owners trace the ownership records of their cars. Not here in the Republic of California.

[andrewh]

I am coming up against this all the time unfortunately. What a shame. It seems I am at the mercy of some previous owner finding it on XKEDATA and contacting me. I don't even have the licence plate number. What I need is a Jim Rockford, I am sure he would have some contacts in the DMV!

[Durango2k]

I was told that maybe my tub was once John Carpenter's.

So I wrote to his webmaster - no, he never owned an E-Type.

Sadly, this meant I had to do all the repairs by myself.

Carsten

[Nickleback]

I had the same issue trying to trace my car's history last year with California DMV - no response after 3 direct enquires.
New York DMV responded to local enquiry made for me by a forum member (Thanks Nick) but only keep records for 10 years before destroying them
I also contacted all the local Jaguar of America clubs, did get some responses but nobody knew of the car or it's history.
However the last American owner in LA was listed on the heritage certificate, so I traced his email, contacted him and we meet up at last years Goodwood Revival but he had not been able trace any further history as it was bought from a LA dealer who would not give any further info for fear of being sued despite written promises to the contrary.
So my search is now posted for email response on XKE data in the vain hope that sometime I may get an email response from somebody who knew the car.

[cactusman]

Ah...the Rockford files!!!! Brings back memories. We had them here in the 1980s....great progs.

Oddly enough our vehicle licence mob....the DVLA are excellent if you are the registered keeper. Fill in form V888 and send them five pounds worth of beer tokens and they will send everything they have back to about 1980....before then the licence was done locally by councils and I suspect the records are gone...