Private investigators?

[JRC99]

Apologies if this isn't the right place for this, but, Dad will be turning 55 in May. I think it'd be really cool to surprise him and reconnect him with the '73 Firebird he had when I was born. Problem is, we don't know where it ended up. I've posted it to Lost Muscle Cars, posted on Performance Years, etc. I used a PI to try and find a Bronco he had years ago (trail was cold, truck had been scrapped) but I cannot for the life of me remember who it was. So, would anyone (especially in Michigan) happen to know of a good PI who could maybe help me out? Preferably one who is a car nut like us. I know MI lets you request a search of your own vehicle history, but if I remember right they're real finicky about letting you do it (getting the VIN to that Bronco was a royal PITA and took me the better part of three years). I put more faith in the members of this board than I would just about anywhere else, so I thought I'd ask.

Picture of the 'Bird for your time.

[cheveslakr]

Try Rockford, he's in the yellow pages and he's got a flare for firebirds. His fee is very fair.

But really, I'd use your own resources long before I'd hire it out, facebook, cl, here, pontiac forum, etc.. People love to help in situations like this.

[Keith Seymore]

Try Rockford, he's in the yellow pages and he's got a flare for firebirds. His fee is very fair.



Cannot recommend. I always get his answering machine and he never calls me back.

K

[AnthonyS]

I can't believe Wes at Lost Muscle Cars couldn't help more... huh.

Also, every time I call Jim Rockford, I get the Ghostbusters!... gah.

But seriously, good luck with the continued search!
Anthony

[JRC99]

In Wes' defense, I don't have the VIN to the car. That's where I was hoping a PI could pull some strings and dig it up. I should mention, in addition to LMC and Performance Years, I've posted it on a fair few Firebird groups. No luck. It seems without a VIN finding an old car is borderline impossible.

[AnthonyS]

Yeah, it seems a lot of the success stories are of very rare cars with options that people "remember" - like Hemi convertibles and the like... cars that can be confirmed beyond having the VIN I suppose.

Good luck finding the VIN, I would agree, once you have that you're on your way... Cheers!

[JRC99]

Yeah, it seems a lot of the success stories are of very rare cars with options that people "remember" - like Hemi convertibles and the like... cars that can be confirmed beyond having the VIN I suppose.

Good luck finding the VIN, I would agree, once you have that you're on your way... Cheers!

Yup, and being a '73 350 2 barrel Esprit that was backyard hot-rodded in the late 90s, even Dad's shoddy budget workmanship wasn't enough to jog any memories (I say that with love- when you want a toy but have a wife and two kids to take care of... well, sometimes you have to get creative when repairing your floor pans... before eventually having to say goodbye to the car)

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

Jim Rockfords number is: 424.422.1348

It always goes to his answering machine, he never answers the phone

[JRC99]

Alright, fellas. Rockford. Haha. I got it.

[Too Many Projects]

Alright, fellas. Rockford. Haha. I got it.
Yep, the info is most likely in his "Files", but who knows where they went, after he vacated the office...:wink:
Seriously, I'm hoping you can find the vin somehow, but, maybe a similar '73 Esprit would feel like a long lost friend to him...:biggthumpup:

[JRC99]

Yep, the info is most likely in his "Files", but who knows where they went, after he vacated the office...:wink:
Seriously, I'm hoping you can find the vin somehow, but, maybe a similar '73 Esprit would feel like a long lost friend to him...:biggthumpup:

The weird thing is I've tried to talk him into getting a car to play with, he won't do it. Besides, I couldn't afford one for him lol. This is just my idea of a neat surprise so he can find out whether or not the car's still in one piece. And hell, maybe seeing his car again will spark something

[Too Many Projects]

Ah, gotcha on trying to tempt him... :cool2: I like it.
He's still plenty young enough to have time to play with a car.

[JRC99]

Ah, gotcha on trying to tempt him... :cool2: I like it.
He's still plenty young enough to have time to play with a car.

That's what I keep telling him...

[GotGrunt]

Alright, fellas. Rockford. Haha. I got it.

One more time for good measure :D

It’s $200 a day, plus expenses…

[1969L89]

Is there anyway you could check for old inspection/registration receipts or insurance paperwork to get the VIN? I had an old LS5 70 El Camino I need to find and luckily I found an old registration receipt with it's VIN. Hope you find it.

[JRC99]

Is there anyway you could check for old inspection/registration receipts or insurance paperwork to get the VIN? I had an old LS5 70 El Camino I need to find and luckily I found an old registration receipt with it's VIN. Hope you find it.

Nah, dad was and is terrible at keeping stuff like this around, unfortunately.

[BJCHEV396]

Good luck with your search,keep us posted.

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

Just checking in w/ a few thoughts on this.
To confirm, you have No; VIN/Lic. Plate #/Prev’ Owner Info/know Original Selling Dealer?
You've dug deep for old Photos w/ Plate #/asking friends/family for pictures too?
No luck finding old Parking/Speeding Tickets/Insurance paperwork + tried contacting them?
Did he ever service it or get tires anywhere still in operation/VIN on file?
Your post notes it was a 350/2 Bbl. Esprit but is the original Color known?
When and where did he buy it also was it advertised then or how’d he find it?
As others noted above, your Dad’s still young so keep digging and best of luck!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[JRC99]

‘

Just checking in w/ a few thoughts on this.
To confirm, you have No; VIN/Lic. Plate #/Prev’ Owner Info/know Original Selling Dealer?
You've dug deep for old Photos w/ Plate #/asking friends/family for pictures too?
No luck finding old Parking/Speeding Tickets/Insurance paperwork + tried contacting them?
Did he ever service it or get tires anywhere still in operation/VIN on file?
Your post notes it was a 350/2 Bbl. Esprit but is the original Color known?
When and where did he buy it also was it advertised then or how’d he find it?
As others noted above, your Dad’s still young so keep digging and best of luck!
:beers:
~ Pete

.
No other family would have pictures of the car- he and mom were married and on their own by the time he bought it. Only have that one picture with the plate. Only place I know of him having it serviced was having tires put on at Pep Boys. I doubt they'd still have the info. He DID get a ticket in the mail once for launching it in front of a buddy's house. I don't think he still has the ticket itself. Original color was Sunlight Yellow. He bought it out of a backyard for $500. I don't remember if he said it was advertised or not. This was probably 1997 or 1998 when he bought it, but I can't be certain- Dad may still be young, but his memory has never been great (mine either)

[muscle_collector]

if his memory is not great, could you just find one that is the same color combo and present it to him like hey it might be your old car.

[JRC99]

if his memory is not great, could you just find one that is the same color combo and present it to him like hey it might be your old car.

Well, no. I think it'd sort of defeat the purpose. It's partially to answer the question of what happened to it. Plus you've got to realize- we probably can't afford to buy the car even if I find it- I *know* I can't afford it. It's more of just being able to say "Hey, here's your old car. It survived and is in good shape."

For clarification, his memory isn't shot or anything, it's just that he doesn't remember random stuff from 25 years ago.