How to find history on early 911T?

watson · 08-10-2007, 11:28 AM

Hi,

I'm new in here, and I will start excusing my bad english. I'm from Denmark (Scandinavia, northern europe).

I own a 1971 911T, but I need your help...

When I was looking for a Porsche, I had some demands. Matching numbers, original look and a good history. I have the matching numbers, the original look, but not the history. I love my car, but I have some regrets about it, because of the history. I don't know anything about it. I know it's from somewhere in the states, and that "Stolze" in Netherlands has sold it in 2006. I don't even have a service manual.

Can you tell me how I search history on my car? I have ordered a Certificat of Authensity, and I have called "Stolze". He don't know anything about it (maybe he won't tell me).

I have searched http://www.carfax.com but my VIN number is to short.

Please tell me something guys

jjflash · jjflash's Garage

Sorry, no advice, but that certainly is a pretty car!

ossiblue · 08-11-2007, 07:08 AM

Beautiful car!

Like jjflash, I can't give you any advice on how to track the history except to say I doubt if you'll have much success. Carfax, as you've discovered, only tracks more recent cars. If it makes you feel any better, your are in the same situation as many here in the States--it is often impossible to trace the history once a car has been moved from state to state. Each state has different rules on keeping records, especially on such old vehicles so unless the paper trail comes with the car, you have no clue except verbal assurances.

The best I could suggest is to try to contact former owners as far back as you can. The dealer from which you bought the car seems to be the dead end, though you might try to pry more from them. Cars with complete history are not uncommon, but verification is difficult. I say, enjoy your beautiful car and don't worry about where she's been. Her history now starts with you.

fryardds · fryardds's Garage

Agreed a nice looking early 911, congratulations.

Is 'Stolze' the dealer you bought the car from? Do you have any importation paperwork with the car? I would think you should at least be able to know who shipped the car from the US to Denmark. You are not alone, many early 911 owners have little or no records with their cars.

watson · 08-11-2007, 10:31 PM

Thank you guys.
I have bought the car from a guy who bought it from "Stolze". Where Stolze got it from, I don't know, because i won't/can't tell me.

Well, I AM enjoying my car

. It has been a dream for me for many years. It dificult for a normal working guy to buy a car like this in Denmark. In Denmark everything is expensive. Cars cost about 180% more here than in the states, and gasoline cost 400% more than in the states... Crazy but true

Christien · Christien's Garage

Might be different there, but here dealership are reluctant to give out the name of whom they bought a car from because of privacy concerns. If that's the case, you might ask him to pass a message on for you, asking the previous owner to contact you. That way the previous owner's information is kept secret, unless he wants to share it with you. Maybe slip a little cash over the counter

Otherwise, dealers often buy from auctions, and auctions won't keep records too long. For sure the auction house won't divulge the previous owner's name, but again, you might ask them to pass along a message for you. Other than that, government records are your best bet. You could try phoning the various DMVs in the US, though there are 50 of them! Some of them will give you registration history over the phone, free, with just a VIN number. Others may not be free, but they should at least be able to confirm if that VIN was ever registered in that state.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, beauty car!

watson · 08-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Cristien:

Thank you very much. What is DMV?

Today I took the carpets out of the car, and I found something to the investigation.

It's a bill or something, from City of Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Look:

Do anyone know what that is?

upwardr · 08-14-2007, 04:38 PM

Looks like a property tax receipt stub from the city. probably the year 97 with the account (Roll number) of the former owner.

Now you have to hire a detective.

Good luck.

RSKY BIZ · 08-14-2007, 06:59 PM

Watson,

That is a beauty of a ride!
As someone who was adopted, I recognize the yearning to know some history...
That Santa Rosa City bill should be your ticket to travel down that path.

Once successful with this project, btw, I might request your 'detective services' to search for my biological mother!
She is also (part) Irish... but not green!

Here is a link to the Santa Rosa City Hall:

SANTA ROSA, NM CITY HALL LINK

Wishing you success in your search!
Kim

watson · 08-14-2007, 10:51 PM

ha ha, thank you guys.

I will let the investigation begin

ossiblue · 08-15-2007, 06:37 AM

Great detective work, Watson. To answer your other question, DMV is the Department of Motor Vehicles. First stop, the DMV in New Mexico. Keep us updated!

C4 Pazzo · 08-20-2007, 09:22 PM

If the car ever was registered in California, you can obtain vehicle registration information (registered owners' names) by filling out form INF70 available here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/formsinfo.htm

You need to fill out Section A and C to obtain vehicle info based on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Request both the automated record ($5) and the photocopy of hardcopy and/or microfilm records. The reason to request both is that the automated records only go back to the early 90s. Theoretically, the hardcopy/microfilm goes back further, but I have heard that the State ran out of funds so not all information is available. If they don't have the records they will send your check back to you. You must state a valid reason for the request, which can be a simple as "Researching history of rare automobile."

I don't know if other states have a similar program, but it might be worth checking the various state department of motor vehicles. And since it seems like nearly all early 911s I've ever seen advertised on the net are "Rust-free California Cars" (even the ones that never spent a day in the state) you might get lucky with the California DMV

jkarolyi · 08:26 AM

That New Mexico utility receipt was an excellent find! Most likely you can call the city utility company (search for a phone number for the city of Santa Rosa, NM) and ask for the Utilities department. Ask the utility people what property address belongs to the account number on the receipt. If they ask you why, tell them you are an accountant trying to sort through receipts for tax purposes or something. Don't ask for names or phone numbers or they will get suspicious. Once you have that address, finding a phone number for the owner is pretty easy with some of the services offered on the internet.

The DMV is the Department of Motor Vehicles...each state has one and they all operate differently and under different laws. If the above doesn't work, you could find a form similar to the California INF70 for the state of New Mexico.

I love this kind of detective work and do it to obtain histories of the cars that I get. The best news is that your car likely spent most of its life in a very arid climate! No rust worms to haunt you later.

RSKY BIZ · 08-21-2007, 08:46 AM

Here's a link for the state of New Mexico DMV's to get you going.
Phone #'s as well!

LINK TO NEW MEXICO DMV INFO

Don't stop NOW!

Skal!
Kim

watson · 08-23-2007, 12:31 PM

Thank you all. That's something I can work with. I sent an email to New Mexico DMV last week. Unfortunately with no answer.
I do not speek english good enough to call them so I hoped that a mail could be okay...

I will try to use the INF70 form.

I will keep you informed

RSKY BIZ · 08-23-2007, 12:55 PM

The KARMA is with you, Watson!

Keep at it!

Kim

onephat356 · 03:29 PM

Actually with the "freedom of information act" that was signed into law a few years ago you are able to go directly to the Courthouse, and research land records and deeds.
That stub you possess has all of the info you need to find the prior owner.
For obvious reasons your not able to do this on your own then you might be able to contract/hire a local landman or his assistant to do the reasearch on your behalf for a fee.
People who negotiate land/oil/gas/mineral leases/forclosesures do this all of the time.
Now hopefully he has not moved away........... but then the people living on his old property might be able to help you with forwarding info.
Hope this helps.

JV44HeinzBar · JV44HeinzBar's Garage

Hi Watson,
Nice car. I know this is off topic, but I have a question about your wheels. What size are they? What tires do you have on them (brand and size)?

I recently picked up a very nice set of 6x16 and 7x16 from kg911 here on the forums. I haven't gotten around to mounting them, but I want to make sure I get the right tires for the wheels. BTW, I'm keeping my original 5.5x14 Fuchs for my 1970. I just wanted something a little more aggressive to fill out the wheel wells.

TIA,
Brent