[sdgrant]

With help from VMF favorite Charles Turner, I received a response from the North Carolina DMV on a title search based on my Pace Car's VIN. It had such a great deal of information, I'm still going through it all!! I didn't initially pursue the DMV in North Carolina because I bought the car in Virginia, and they will only go back 10 years for a title search, but North Carolina is more flexible and pulled the original records from June of 1964.

So after some internet digging, I located the original owner in Castle Rock, CO. We spoke for about 40 minutes about the car and his memories of it, and he promised to send some pictures! One disturbing thing was that he remembers its original color as a "baby blue", probably Skylight Blue. I have the name of the original dealership (Thompson Auto Company in Thomasville, NC) and I'll see if anyone may remember the car.

I have the names of two other owners in North Carolina through 1973, so I have more investigation to do! The excitement continues!!

 

[jetpilot]

Very cool! I've always wondered if the original owner of my car would want to see it today. That's great that you got to talk to him.

 

[autoxsteve]

Wow!

You know, If I wasn't an engineer, I would be a history instructor. The wavy path of how we got to where we are intrigues me. Of course, luck, blind faith and a little chance all add up to our great heritage.

Good luck on your historical endeavor...

 

[66i6]

I've thought about tracking down the original owner of my 65 Tbird, which was my dad's car (he was the 2nd owner). In the back of my mind, though, I always fear that if and when I find the owner that I will hear something like ("you know, that car was stolen!"). We had a clean title and all, so I don't know why I would fear this. I think it would be cool to track down the original owner, just to let him or her know that the car was still going strong and is well loved.

Can you imagine a knock on YOUR door and over a stranger's shoulder lies YOUR old car -- from 35 years ago! What a rush that would be!

 

[Epperstang]

That's very exciting Steve.
How far does Ca DVM go?
My Indy has a LA (71) DSO.
Could you be of any assistance or guidance in helping me find out about my Pace car.
Congrats! Very Cool!
J.

 

[DPM]

I'm happy for you.

I too was able to track down the original owner of my car. a '70 vert. It turns out I found some ID (Master Card and Auto Club card) deep in the trunk wells. Did an internet search on the name and sucess.

Got his phone number and we talked for quite a while. I got some interesting history, and he wants to come by when the restoration is done. Hmmmmmm, will that ever happen??

 

[cobrapatrol]

That's great news, Steve. Regardless of what the original owner can tell you that information is still a missing piece in the puzzle. How long had you been searching? My car is from Virginia/forums/images/icons/frown.gif; I have the original owner's name but no way to contact him.

 

[kcode1967]

I tracked my car back to the 3rd owner and have a name of the second. I have been unable to reach him so far. The car stayed in Thomasville,Ga. thru 4 owners. The third owner said the car " had quite the reputation around here". It was known as "The Mule", because it kicked a lot of butt. And, when he bought the the car it had the "The Mule" painted on the taillight panel. He said, he used to drag race it on weekends. When he bought the car, the 289 HiPo had been balanced and blueprinted. It also had an F4B, Holley and headers.
He was real nice, happy to hear about the car still being around. He and his wife, have people ask if they still have "The Mule" and someone had asked the day before I called. They had owned the car around 12 years and sold it in the eighties. Sold due to growing family and lack of use.
My quest continues for finding the original owner. I talked to the original dealership, there was surely someone would rememeber a 289 HiPo bench seat car. But, there was no one who had been there since 67. So, I will continue trying to hook up with owner number two.

 

[Forssling]

In Sweden, where I live, it is not too hard to track down all the previous owners. I spoke to my cars first owner and he posted some photos from when the car was new. One of them shows his wife on the hood and the cars full of flower decals that he was promoting at that point. Now every time I've done something to the car I post him some pics.