| Author |
Message |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Saturday, July 14, 2001 - 7:36 pm: | |
For all you who dont have ownership/service history, I hope these updates are helpful.
I now have complete uninterrupted ownership history from day one including names and addresses and dates of title transfer (previously I only knew name of first owner 12/87-12/88).
This was simple to do:
1 Get carfax
2 Write to all DMVs in the states that granted titles requesting title history (make sure you check one of the legit reasons to get info). These title histories are quite detailed and often give other states title info.
Next step contact owners to try to get service records. If unsuccessful, I can piece service together by calling shops local to that area as Lawrence suggested. |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 5:50 pm: | |
Update:
I am making alot of progress (with the help of Stephen) on getting my car's history. Title histories are going on in 4 states and dealers that I know who serviced the car are sending records.
FYI I called FNA and the only info they could give me was that recall work was done. When I asked for a copy of "Master Inquiry" they told me this was a build sheet of MY car and needed to come from Italy for a mere cost of $1000.00!!!!!!????
Anybody know how to get one for less?
Thanks, Dan |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 9:25 pm: | |
FNA 201-816-2600 Ask for tech services |
David Albright (Dalbright)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 3:20 pm: | |
Here's some FNA info:
http://www.ferrarina.com/FerrariNA/Contact.asp
If you get a "Stack Overflow..." message when accessing that page, just press the "Ok" button. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
| | Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 1:30 pm: | |
what's FNA's phone number? I would like to call them too. |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 5:49 pm: | |
Good luck Mitch. I'll be interested in your progress.
I called FNA- They do not archive service records and will not diclose previous owners names. They will tell you if your car had recall work done.
Dan |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 5:29 pm: | |
Mitch,
when you call Shelton in Ft Lauderdale ask for Bud Root.He is a gentleman (sales) and very helpful. |
Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 1:30 pm: | |
Dan,
I'm about to start heavy research on my newly aquired 308. The car had spotty records. I ran a carfax and it showed me the previous owners and where it came from. I traced the original owner to around Shelton Ferrari area. I will be contacting them about the car to see if they have any records of the car....maybe even a bill of sale? I will keep you all posted on my findings. Has anyone had any luck with FNA? |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 1:03 am: | |
Thanks to all! Once again you all are proving what a great site this is.
I should have gotten my car with records (live and learn), however it is in need nothing condition and Ferrari of Wash tells me its one of the best 328s they've seen. I got VERY lucky it appears (I see now what a mess I could have had).
William, thanks for advice. My car doesnt have black bottom.
Sam, I'll try EIP. I doubt mileage is innaccurate as carfax has had a consistent increase in mileage since new (and who would forge 41k?)
Lawrence, impressive work! If need be, I think I have the patience to do what you did.
Bruce, tried that route-no luck
Thanks Stephen, I'll call you. Congrats! You and your car deserve it.
With all your help I think I may be successful. I'll let you know what worked so others in the same situation may benefit.
Dan |
Stephen J. MacKellar (88gtb)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 9:16 pm: | |
Dan - I sent you a personal email. Contact me re your request. This is EASY stuff which I have been doing for years. There is precious little 'private' information left in the world and all DMVs are more than willing to sell their information for between $5.00 - $15.00 per search. All we need to do is work backwards from the last registration information you have - sort of like reverse engineering! Stephen. P.S. my GTB took BEST OF SHOW at the Prancing Horse Farm Concours this past Sunday. |
Bruce Kubicka (Bruce)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 5:45 pm: | |
If the dealer/service people won't give the names and contact information of prior owners to you, you might ask that they call the prior owner or owners and ask them to contact you. This worked for me, and the previous owner was most generous in sharing information on the car and his experiences with it.
Good Luck |
Lawrence Michaels (Lxmichaels1)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 2:46 pm: | |
Let me see if I can help.
When I bought my car there were no records at all (1st time buyer mistake)it is a 1991. Anyway, I started with a carfax as a base. I just copied the original carfax, edited and started to fill in the gaps with acquired data.
From that I saw where state inspections or DMW titles were issues and deducted that some type of service may have been done in that area. I then called the closest Ferrari Dealer's service department and asked if the (S/N offered)car had been serviced there. When there was a success of a hit I asked for a photocopy of the service record. If there was a reservation because of the name I old them I was just interested in the performed maintenance, I often got the whole copy.
This will work much better if you can actually visit the service department. Much more cooperative and less hesitant.
Based on the information gained I built my investigation around it. I have come to find out that there a many small tell-tale signs that will offer up some information to go on.
This was a repeated process and I must say I did like the mystery of doing this, I'm a pretty good detective at this. It was kind of like doing a geneology for my car (I actually did a fairly detailed family one). I have reconstructed almost the entire history with the exception of 1 1/2 years. The car was in & out of actions which was the hardest part to connect the dots.
I have even spoke with the original owner from over 6 years ago. That person was genuinely delighted to know where it was now. That I thought was pride of Ferrari ownership, past & present.
P.s. FNA can tell you if certain re-calls were done, ask where. |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 1:59 pm: | |
I think William is right-- A NJDMV search should do, bu these gov't agencies can be a pain to deal with, You can call EIP a investigative agency and they should get you that info from NJDMV for modest fee. 1-908-272-3344 - ask for Marty and let him know you want to find the previous owner.They might also be able to find the owner from insurance records as well and then be able to determine accident history. NJDMV should also be able to determine actual mileage unless everyone in the chain has been deceptive. good luck |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 9:02 am: | |
A previous Ferrari owner who wants privacy? Either he has something to hide or he doesn't want anyone to know he had a Ferrari, and we all know it's not the latter. (How do you drive a Ferrari without anyone knowing it?)
This brings up my point about actual milage (see speedo fix). The service records can easily be photocopied while covering the previous owners name if he has to have it that way. I hope everything goes well for you but next time I would politely refuse the car without a proper history. |
William H (Countachxx)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 6:19 am: | |
DAN, u really should have gotten all the service records when u bought the car. U were sort of taking a chance buying it without service records. FYI next time, if they dont produce service records ask for $5,000 off the price cus without the records u have no idea what the cars service history was, which is important on an exotic with expensive parts & labor.
Maybe u could get some history from NJ DMV with a VIN search. Try FNA or the FCA or FOC
Does the car have the lower half painted black like a BB ?
Good Luck |
Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 12:37 am: | |
Any reason the dealer won't give you the info on the former owner? I asked mine for it (besides his name being on all the service records/reciepts) and not only got his name but most of his contact info, I only called him up once. I did stay away from the ovbious talk of price paid etc. altho he was VERY eager to ask me repeatedly.
$0.02
-Ben |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Monday, June 11, 2001 - 10:06 pm: | |
I'm relatively new to this website and you guys have impressed me with your wealth of knowledge!
I have tried without success to locate my red/tan 88 328GTB's records or it's previous owner. Every tool, both sets of keys, windowsticker, recall letter, every book was present when I bought it and the car is in 100% original unmodified condition and is in near perfect condition. I do have 30k service receipt and the car gives me absolutely no troubles and has 41K miles (I've put on 5K). This leads me to believe previous owners have been fastidious with maintainance (and keeping records). I assume the records were not present because the last owner's wish for privacy (I really dont want to violate this but I do plan on keeping the car forever).
The selling dealer understandably wont reveal the last owner. I have had a car dealer friend armed with a carfax try to get info without success. The carfax has 9 enties (not owners) so i do know the number of owners and city and states.I have the name of first owner- car came from Foreign Cars Italia 12/20/87.
The last owner titled the car 7/17/95 in Bayville,NJ (the title # is the car's serial #).
Does anyone have any more suggestions? I'm desperate and you are my last hope!
Does anyone know who may have owned this car in Bayville, NJ?
(I'm calling FNA tomorrow).
Any help is REALLY appreciated,
DAN |