Tracking down an old car?(pre-1980)

[V]

I'd like to see if it would be possible to find my Fathers old car. I know the make/model/serial number, and the town where he sold it and the approximate year it was sold.

I know the chances are very low of it still being out there and not in a junkyard or as a soup can by now.

Where would I even start looking and how?

[CGMSS]

Would you know anyone in law enforcement? Maybe they can run the VIN. Or, can you track a VIN through carfax? Might get you in the 'hood.

[NJSPEEDER]

As long as it has stayed in states that do full registration on classic and historic cars a Vin search should be able to produce some hits. The easiest place to start with a vin search realistically is CarFax. Since most states now report at least the generalities of title changes/registrations/renewals there is a chance you can at least find out what state it was last registered in if it has been on the road in the last 5 years or so.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

As long as it has stayed in states that do full registration on classic and historic cars a Vin search should be able to produce some hits. The easiest place to start with a vin search realistically is CarFax. Since most states now report at least the generalities of title changes/registrations/renewals there is a chance you can at least find out what state it was last registered in if it has been on the road in the last 5 years or so.

Carfax won't work on the older (shorter) VIN numbers.

[NJSPEEDER]

I thought they were supposed to fix that a logn time ago. Guess they never got around to it/didn't bother.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

I thought they were supposed to fix that a logn time ago. Guess they never got around to it/didn't bother.

Yeah, just tried the Nova and here's what I got:

VIN Accuracy Tips::

Copy & paste the VIN if it comes from a web site.
Type the characters in groups of four (no spaces)
The letters "I", "O" and "Q" never appear in a VIN.
The VIN must be exactly 17 characters in length.
The VIN must be from a car or light truck manufactured for the North American market since 1981.

[V]

I doubt id find the car anyway. My mom said when they sold the car, the door was already falling off. At least now i know the year and such of the car. I may try to find one eventually and build it with a modern drivetrain and interior. Just as like a tribute to my dad.

My dad sold it to a police officer in cliffside park nj so that bit of info may help if i can see who was on the force then.