Contacting Car's Original Owner

[Crush]

I have done this 3 times so far. In one instance I even hired a guy who specializes in such.
Overall, they have been good experiences. As already stated one particular owner wanted to know how much I paid for it and then went on to say how he couldn't afford to own it now. He was a little crusty but still was kind enough to share important details about the car
I have only been able to receive a few old pictures but nothing more. I didn't go into it with the expectation I would find POP, old books etc.. but was hopeful to document the conversations via email and add such to any other documents I had.
Im sure like many on this board it is part of the thrill of having these cars and trucks. Many times I feel like a little kid finding something that no one else could and then being able to tell the story of my findings.

Have fun with it!

[ZLP955]

Just mdae an opportunity to make that important call; unfortunately no cigar. Both 'new' phone numbers I obtained in the last few days are no longer in service; got a pre-recorded message saying that each number was disconnected.
So, the search continues. Owner #2 was Merle Duprey, who recently passed away. I just spoke again to Owner #3 (I bought it from him; so I'm #4) and double-checked some of the info he provided; turns out he managed to call the original owner around 15 years or so ago, and will see if he has anything more that didn't come to me.
Owner #3 did say that #1 provided info where he could but felt he had moved on from that time in his life and wasn't at all interested in the car's ongoing story. He was still involved in motor sport but had taken a different direction away from drag racing and had other interests.
Glad I made those calls today anyway, despite the result; will keep on trying to get in contact, even if he's still disinterested in the car, I'd like to hear that myself to close my interest out on that front.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Same here. Have made such calls many times. Always be polite. and if you get any form of reluctance to speak with you., continue to be polite and never burn a bridge.

I've received valuable docs. Vintage photos and information I never would have known

Mike

[Motorhead848]

I just got in touch with the original owner of my 1969 z. Husband and wife were both listed on the POP. So I did an internet search and sent a letter with 3 different ways I could be contacted (phone, email, and us mail). That way they had the option of communication. With in days I received an email from the wife who was elated to know the car still existed and about an hour prior to writing this I received my first black and white photos of the car on its first road trip to the coast!!! Always worth a shot. Nothing to lose!!

Mark

[SeattleCarGuy]

I have been very fortunate in tracking down the second owner of my 1968 L72 Biscayne. He owned the car from July 1969-1973 after the first owner got drafted and had to sell it back to the dealership. He was thrilled to know the car still existed and in our conversations a nice friendship has developed. He has confirmed all kinds of information about the car (factory L72/M22/4.10), welded on tow tabs, cuts for electric fuel pumps, etc., and has sent me original time slips, photos and home movies of him racing it at Minnesota Dragways and other strips. I offered to pay for all of these items and he would not accept any money. He was friends with the first owner and unfortunately, when I tried to contact the first owner, found out he had passed just months before. I have offered to pay all travel expenses for the second owner to come out to Washington as I want to get photos of him with the car now, including recreating a photo of him in a t-shirt in the car from when he first bought it, 50 years apart.

[SS427]

Wow Paul, that is cool and would be awesome. I am working on doing the same for the "Black Mariah" LS6 as the original owner is still alive and well and still married to the only woman he allowed to sit on his car. One of these days we will get everyone reunited. He was a wealth of information during the restoration. We too have become good friends.

[ZLP955]

Great story and picture Rick!
Although maybe NOT one to try and recreate once you hold that reunion.....

[TimG]

I let the original owner of a car I owned know it would be in Chicago for a show. He showed up and brought his son that had never seen his dads car. He wished he had kept a medallion from an Illinois Corvette Club I had mounted on the plate, he had an original set of keys he kept, so we traded the medallion for the keys. We were both very happy with the trade.

Thanks to Chris P for helping me get this car.

[ZLP955]

You can't put a price on that, the smiles are enough. Good for you!

[67since67]

Well done Tim!