What is propper protical for contacting a previous owner?

[Scott S]

Hi All -

Last year I bought a heavily modified 77 911 that was traded in to a dealer. I have been having a blast with it on all fronts. It did not come with much history, and I am very curious about the cars past. I sent the on-line form into the CA DMV and received a list of all of the previous owners back to 85. Based on how fresh the modifications are, I am guessing the most recent PO did them, as he owned the car for the past 17-18 years. I was able to locate his contact information on line - but that does not include an email address. (kind of scary). I really want to drop him a line, but dont want to come across as some sort of stalker.

What is considered appropriate?


This is the first "play" car I have purchased from a dealer. I am used to dealing with a private owner and asking any and all questions during the purchase process.

Thanks -
Scott S

[kwyjibo]

About 8 years ago I bought a car from a guy that really knew nothing about it. But with some of the paperwork he provided, I tracked down (via google) the possible original owner. I sent him a letter describing the car, included a photo and asked him questions about some of the modifications and if he was the original owner. I heard nothing for many months, then one day I got a reply. From the shaky, hand-written letter my guess is that he is elderly but the letter confirmed that he previously owned the car and answered some of my questions. He lived a couple of hours away and I told him that I'd come over once I got it roadworthy. I stopped receiving replies from him a few years ago.

I'd say that if you send a letter the PO can just ignore it if (s)he chooses or, probably more likely if they invested their time and effort into it, would like to know where it is and would like the opportunity to be helpful. just my two cents.

[911SauCy]

Phone, dial it. .

Thats just me.

[86911tlcab]

get in touch...most guys i have talked to loved talking about their old rides...

[KNS]

I'd love to know what happened to my old SC (I want it back...).

[Gus Berges]

A few years ago, I purchased a boat from a dealer, but was able to find out who the previous owner was during the title transfer. I searched for his name based on the address and got a phone number. Being a salesman myself, "cold calling" is not new to me, so I rang him up and the first thing I said was "I'm don't want to sell you anything or ask you for anything, just want to talk about your old boat since I am now the current owner of it and would like to know more about it".
He was very open and we spoke at length about it. I purchased the boat sight unseen (boat dealer pics, my father taking a look over) and once I spoke to the previous owner, I felt even better about the purchase made, so if I were you, I would just call him. Make sure not to call at a time where telemarketers do and always be polite (not implying you are not!)

[Jdub]

Just be sure to ID yourself *first*, give all information before you ask the person for anything and let them know you want nothing from them. That makes them comfortable and lays out your intent - that you are not a stalker!

When I restored a John Player Norton some years back I was able to contact the original owner and he has some unobtanium parts that went with the bike. I sent him a fat check for shipping and eventually he sent the parts along (black chrome "bean can" mufflers) - what a gold mine!

So yes, they do want to talk about the car or bike or girlfriend, now your wife (ouch!).

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Phone, dial it. .

Thats just me.

Worked for me. When I was looking to buy my current car I came across the PPO who had sold it to the seller. I just called and introduced myself/situation and asked if there was anything he could tell me about the car. Turns out he had seen it up for sale and was trying to buy it back. I was on the fence at the time and a good report from him plus the fact that he was trying to buy the car back sort of sealed the deal for me. -J

[T77911S]

i have done it.
just tell them you are looking at buying/or just bought their old car and do you mind giving me some info on it.
i did it for a 930 i was looking at. i found were the PO had sold it to a broker that was trying to flip it for 8k more than he paid. i put the value of the car at 30k before i new any of the prices and would have gladly given the PO 2k more than he sold it for.

[Joe Bob]

CA DMV released prior owner information? That in itself is a miracle.

[wrxnofx]

It's amazing what you can find online. Try Facebook or LinkedIn and see if the person has an account. I found one of the previous owners of my car LinkedIn and sent him an Invite request with a note in there saying I bought his old 911. Two days later he called me up and we talked about the car for probably 30 minutes. Well worth it.

[yel911]

I owned my 74 911 for 14 years and found out it's been sold 3 times since my ownership!! I heard it was for sale at a BMW repair shop 50 miles west of me. So I searched online for the shop, called them and told them I restored the car. They contacted the new owner (the guy they sold it to) and gave him my info. We spoke for 1.5 hours on the phone!!! Later, I went to NHIS and met the guy in person with my photo album, I thought he was going to cry when he saw how I bought it!!! I can't let go....

[hightuned]

Im wondering that to, i started to remove the interior the fix that rust in the floor panels and found this. Should i contact the previos owner and ask if he wants his mozzarella cheese and $1.40 back, or is it ok for me to keep em?

[bugmeat]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

CA DMV released prior owner information? That in itself is a miracle.

They just give you the name, nothing else (at least that's what I got when I did it recently).

[joe payne]

If anyone out there worked at Warner Bros. in 1978 and owned a Black 911SC, I am the second owner. still...; )