Approaching owner

[JHerston]

With the 70 Yenko Nova VIN list I've located a possible owner of a Yenko in my state. The title was changed in 96 and through some lucky info (a family member works at a liscence bureau)and the last time it was liscenced was 96. I had to do a lot of digging to find this guy. He even recently moved. But apparently doesn't have a published number or anything. Its about 2 hours away, should I just take the chance and try going to his house? Or am I out of line by digging to deep to find out all about this guy? He doesn't seem to want to be found. Of course my wife thinks I have a screw loose for even thinking about it.
Jeff

[camarojoe]

You're nuts for even thinking about it...Now, PM me with the directions to his house. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Oh, and fill out your profile please. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

I would have been there already. Get in the car and go! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kurt S]

Why don't you ask Marlin (Yenko Deuce Registry) what he knows about the car and owner first??

[MikeA]

I located an original owner Deuce in Alabama through a title search and the owner became very cautious when I finally called him. He could not figure out how I got his name and telephone number. I was not ready for the question “how did you find me?” My reply to that question was “the internet”, bad answer. I don’t think the guy ever trusted me and I think that was the reason he backed out of the deal at the last minute.

I would have a good response to the question “how did you find me?” and go after the car.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

MikeA is correct, have your story straight before you approach the owner. I have done this many times, and have learned that it's best to be honest - the owners are a lot smarter than you wish they were! If you found him via a title search, tell him that, if he asks why, tell him why. It doesn't hurt to call first, might save yourself a 4hour round trip!

Send me a PM with some info, and I will let you know anything I have on the car that you are chasing.

PS: I will throw my Congrats in here to the new owner of the Deuce that MikeA was referring to, way to go Tommy - patience paid off http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[69LM1]

I would "pass by" his house and see if the car were visible. If it is, just stop in, introduce yourself and say "Gee, passing by and saw that old nova. I've always wanted a nova like that! Looks like it has been sitting a while, would you like to sell it?"

While not a lie technically (I guess we would ALL like a Yenko Deuce!), you would have seen it from the street. You would also not be telling him what it would potentially be worth, nor that you found him via a title search. You need to decide morally what the right thing to do is. For some people, that approach is not a problem, for others it may be "Crossing the Line". I would probably handle it that way, but would consider crossing the line to be selling a clone car as original.
Also, some states have laws about buying something of a known high value on the cheap, and the original owner can invalidate the sale if he finds out. Of course, here in the Louisiana, that's not the case! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Rich

[JHerston]

Talked to Yenko Deuce Registry and he has no knowledge of anybody looking for this car. I'm going this weekend so if nothing turns out maybe we will at least try to get some pictures.
Wish me luck and
Thanks for your input!
JHerston http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Go get it Tiger!!

[Mr70]

I wish you Good luck.
Please take a picture of the cowl tag,or at least write it down,as that is an important factor in determining these cars,and almost always seems to be the one indicator no one records when looking at a possible Deuce.
As Per Reading Marlins previous replies here. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[55chevy]

Hope the trip proves worthwhile and the car is there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Good luck and let us know what happens either way.

[JHerston]

Not looking to good. I went by his Condo when I got into town and its on a short, dead end road, while I was turning around guess who pulled in and opened the garage - no other car inside. I was too surprised to stop and ask him about it, I wasn't prepared at all. I'm either going to stop in tommorrow or write a letter maybe. His number is unpublished or I would call.
I'll keep you posted!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[budnate]

If you could not see the car from the street..um by accident..then it would in my mind be better to right a letter first..see if he will call you up..tell him the truth that you did a DMV search looking for the car..dont freak him out by calling just yet..letter would be the safe and polite thing to do..good luck and keep us posted.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Don't lose hope just yet!

Two years ago, I needed to drive from Philadelphia to Mass. to pick up a 12 bolt posi that I won on EBAY. MikeA tagged along so that we could drive an extra 20 minutes to check out an 'address'. When we got there, it was dark, but we could tell right away that there was no Yenko car since there was no garage and nothing in the driveway. Not willing to drive the 6-7 hours back to PA without inquiring some more, I knocked on the door. An 80+ year old lady answers, and she confirms that the car is alive and well at her son's house, and shows me pictures of it. Turns out, he took it with him when he moved away, and never changed the title over.

So, do some research, call him, mail him, or stop by, and see what the story is!

[Damion]

If somebody stopped by my house to check out my car and mentioned that they tracked me down through the DMV, I would escort them back out the door. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[70-SS/RS-L78]

[ QUOTE ]
If somebody stopped by my house to check out my car and mentioned that they tracked me down through the DMV, I would escort them back out the door. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!!
The DMV would get a colorfull phone call the next day.
Mark L

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That might be your first impulse. However, if the person turned out to be a normal enthusiast that just wanted to check out a car, what's the harm? I have never had a case where a person wasn't somewhat flattered that somebody (especially a younger somebody) was into cars this much to actually search out an owner. The owners are usually very accomodating when it comes to answering questions about the car's history, their personal experiences with the car, other cars they happen to know about, etc... If you treat the person with the respect they deserve, you won't have a problem.

[supercomp 8.90]

a friend of mine that i race with had a lemans blue yenko shell that was raced years ago in a storage garage sometime in the 80s,there was not much left,he told me that he received a phone call one day out of ny and the person said they had found out about his car through a vin # check and mike told me he stuck a deal with the people!!!! he searched everywhere for the title, then finally his wife found it in a safety deposit box!!! so there is one good story on title searches. it would have been better if i had known he had the car & bought it though!!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I have found several cars via title searches, only once did the guy want to sell it though. It wasn't the car for me, but it suited another guy just fine http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mike]

Marlin,

Were those recent title searches? I was under the impression that names/addresses, etc. weren't given out anymore because of the Privacy Act?

Mike

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Who may have told you that? Someone who didn't want other people to do title searches? Unfortunately, that is the most common reason.

The '96 Privacy Act did indeed crack down on the distribution of information from government agencies, however, the Freedom of Info act also factors in. So, the only real change for those states that historically allowed this info to be disclosed was that the requestor had to disclose his/her purpose for the info request. Some states (like PA) require the form to be notorized, other states will process it without, and other states were already so restrictive in their info disclosure that the act only supported their initial position. Some states will black out the names/address of the owners, and/or cut off any financial info, but they did this before the Privacy Act as well. Each state also has it's individual Records Retention Policy too, so if the info is older than 10yrs for eg; they archive it, and may claim that it's 'unavailable'. Another type of search will sometimes get you into the archives, or sometimes if the gov. worker is have a good day they will do it automatically. The Privacy Act didn't change this aspect either.

So, in short, the Privacy Act added some more steps to the process, but it does not really restrict the info any more than before.

[TMagda]

For all of you guys who love the hunt, I can tell you that absolutely, positively, there was a Dark Blue (Like '69 Camaro Dusk Blue) Yenko Nova in Norwalk Connecticut sometime between 1975 AND 1976. The owner lived somewhere around Kendall Elementary School but I cannot remember which street. I am fairly certain it was sold out of W.R. Austin Chevrolet in South Norwalk because I remember seeing it in the showroom. There was also a 1969 COPO Camaro around but I am positive that one was crushed.

[Jeff H]

The Privacy Act will start shutting down these opportunities really soon. Most places don't know how to interpret the act. Basically put, nobody can give out your information without your consent. So gov't agencies, dmv, etc. will not be giving this information out as the GLB dictates. Places that don't know any better will eventually get sued by someone and they'll learn real quick. I work for a mortgage subservicing company and you can't even leave a printout sitting on your desk if it has a name, account, address or financial information on it. So do your searches soon if you have any to do.

[Mr70]

When I did a title search in Missouri,they would ONLY consider it if I could prove I was indeed the Owner of said vehicle in question today.Once I produced the Illinois Title of My Chevelle with my signature,showing I was,they released all the info they had on it,with dozens of sequential 1970 Chevelles VIN#'s before & after mine. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I doubt they would do this again today.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That may be true Rick, but each state interprets this Act differently, just like they each set their own policies before the Act was ever passed. Keep in mind that the Privacy Act was passed and adopted over 8 years ago, so I'm not sure how to define 'soon' http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Missouri was one of the best states before the Act, and in my experience, hasn't changed a bit after the Act. They must have picked you outta the 'lineup' at the Post Office!

[Mr70]

Not Me! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
http://home.san.rr.com/danjenwed/Images/Nick%20Nolte%20mug%20shot.JPG

[Jeff H]

True, the act was passed years ago, but the recent court decision which resulted in the GLB enhancement to the act has changed things dramatically. Soon means now! We have gov't auditors and the OTS in our offices several times each year to make sure we comply. So if he's thinking about approacing the owner about this Yenko, he better do it soon or the result could be an angry owner wondering how he got the information.

Here's some more information on GLB.

GLB Information (http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/glbact/glbsub1.htm)

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I have seen that act, but I'm not sure which part pertains to the DMV's and their adoption/interpretation of the Privacy Act. Does someone know where in the GLB it might be? Anyone actually sit down and read all that stuff? It's the cure for insomnia http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Just a follow up observation; rarely does a musclecar owner get his feathers ruffled by someone who might drive by or stop by to admire/inquire about his car. The trouble starts when someone tries to buy the car via a lowball offer, or becomes a pesky nuisance. Deep down, we are all 'car guys', and will stop what we're doing to BS about them http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[skierkaj]

That crazy guy looks like Nick Nolte.

[jetboatracer454]

Rich,

Sounds like your an honest guy. It might not be fair to rip off some old lady for her Yenko Camaro she thinks is just an old chevy. But as you say that's not illegal in your state, so might as well. Kinda like buying things on ebay just to leave people negative feedback. But remember what goes around comes around, everything comes full circle, people don't forget.

[JHerston]

Well I finnaly sent the letter and got a reply! (see attachment) An nice letter telling me about the car and waht happened to it. Thanks

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That's ok, I sent you a PM on the PA title search option, it's only $5 so it's worth a try - don't give up !!