How to get a cars history?

[SmoothSnake]

Hello,

I found a car that I am interested in (77 Targa) but the current owner has little background other than his brother in law owned it for sometime and brought it from California to Canada a few years ago and the Engine was replaced with a 86 3.2L many years ago. The current owner is clearly not a car guy, but it appears to be in good shape inside and out

I have a VIN number (picture from the door) but when I tried to research on carfax it couldn't find the car because it is not a 14 digit number.

My question is how do I get the history on a 10 digit VIN number for a car that has been in the US and Canada

thank you

[techweenie]

I've tried that before and success is rare. If you have the name of any shop that worked on the car, sometimes you'll also need the then-current license plate for them to find the service records (if they are willing). Sometimes those shops have closed or changed hands.

What in the history of the car are you trying to find out?

[SmoothSnake]

Curious about the title, was it ever wrote off, salvaged, etc. Also if the mileage is accurate....seems very VERY low for a 37 yr old car. If it is accurate he should be charging much more for the vehicle

The car is on the other side of the country so for me to even go look at it in person is probably a $700 plane ticket. I'm debating if it is worth the risk. The price and condition almost seem too good to be true so if I had a little more background it would help me make up my mind on what to do

thanks

[techweenie]

In the US a totaled car is given a salvage or rebuildable title. I'm not sure if that type of title branding exists in Canada or persists in cross-border sales.

If you cannot satisfy yourself with the evidence of the car's history, you have to satisfy yourself with the condition of the car as it sits. If it were me, I'd find a Porsche-knowledgeable body shop and arrange to have the car inspected there for prior repairs.

There is a real risk that returning the car to the US, a prior salvage title could affect re-titling in the state you register it in. But it is probably a small risk if no evidence of major repairs exists.

I know in California a car goes "out of the system" after 7 or so years. I suspect that's true in other states. So bringing it back may only require an inspection of the car for VIN accuracy. The bigger risk (in magnitude, not likelihood) is prior theft. You should be able to check with the national stolen car database to be sure the car was not stolen and unrecovered.

[NYNick]

I'd check with the guys at the local PCA chapter. They may know the car, or even volunteer to eyeball it for you before you pay for a ppi. At least they can tell you a good ppi shop you can use.
You're going to have to trust somebody to check it out for you anyway. GL!

[SmoothSnake]

appreciate the advice