Tracing a car's history

mmcporter · #1 10-09-2003, 12:20 AM

I just bought a one-owner car with it's original California blue plate attached. Anyone know how I can research teh car's ownership history thru California?

Thanks,

JChlupsa · #2 10-09-2003, 12:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="red"> I just bought a one-owner car </font>

[/ QUOTE ]
If its a one owner car what is there to trace.

MotownMadman · #3 10-09-2003, 03:20 AM

What year is the car? Was it sold new in Ca? If it was sold new in Ca, depending on the year of the car, I would think being a muscle car and assuming mid to late 60's or early 70's it should have the California "Black Plate". I am not exactly sure when the change was made from black to blue for plate color, anyone here on the board know when the change was made? It could still be a one owner car with the later plate color if it were brought in from out of state or ownership was changed within the family due to divorce etc., etc. As Jeff said, not much to trace if it was a one owner car and you had the opportunity to speak with the owner. So how bout it guys, when did the land of Sun and Surf go from black to blue on the plates?
Thanks,
Motown, in the land of perpetual Snow, Cold, Grey and Rain.

mmcporter · #4 10-09-2003, 03:57 AM

Car is a 1972 Buick Skylark GS455 Convertible. An older couple bought it new in 1972 and registered it with the plate that's currently on it. They traded it in to the selling dealer recently, who never flipped the title. The old people lost the title so the dealer titled it in the dealership's name. He sold it to a local guy, who promptly resold the car to me. Dealer's pissed that local guy resold another car he sold to local guy at the same time, so he cut off communication with local guy. Local guy never knew original owner's names. In California, license plates permanently stay with the car, so since the car was always in California, it stands to reason that it's wearing the original license plate. Someday I may be able to go to the dealer and ask the questions, but right now it doesn't seem worth creating the waves. Thought there might be a riteous way to go thru the DMV to get the information.

It's confusing, but now you probably can understand why this "one owner" car isn't so easy to trace.

**bilede** · #5 10-09-2003, 04:42 AM

not relevent on this car due to its age but it was mid '69 when they switched from black to blue. have seen 69 camaro's original under both..

**SuperNovaSS** · #6 10-09-2003, 05:01 AM

California cars get new plates all the time.

Jason

**scuncio** · #7 10-09-2003, 05:25 AM

No easy way to get owner history through the Cal DMV. Best way is to trace through service receipts, if you have them. Good luck.

mmcporter · #8 10-09-2003, 11:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
California cars get new plates all the time.

Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> I've always heard that the plates stayed with a car during its entire history in California. Nevertheless, this blue plate is original to the car.</font>

**Charley Lillard** · #9 10-09-2003, 02:12 PM

California Cars keep the same plates unless they get Personalized plates or if they have not been Registered for 4+ Years and fall off the Computer Database.

Belair62 · #10 10-10-2003, 02:53 AM

I was hoping one of you Cal. guys would chime in on this...Charley I know the blues were a mid year introduction and the blues kind of filtered in with the blacks...do the plates still stay with the cars in Cal...even today ? What came after the blue plate and when was it introduced.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.