Car Search---DMV Help | FerrariChat
Buy

Car Search---DMV Help

Discussion in 'California & Nevada (Northern)' started by atomicskiracer, Sep 24, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. atomicskiracer

    atomicskiracer Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2005
    1,736
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    #1 atomicskiracer, Sep 24, 2011
    This is not ferrari related, but I thought it was worth a shot posting in the California sections (please excuse the multi-posts)

    Here is the story:

    I am presently trying to find a couple of my Grandfathers cars as a present for my father. He has been trying for years to find(and then ultimately buy) them, to no avail through various other means. I'm looking for a 1960 Impala, as well as two 1960 Nash Metropolitans.

    Here is the problem--we do not have the vins for any of the three cars, which is a pretty large issue. What I do have is my Grandfather's California License, and the plate number from one of the Nash's. Does anyone have some sort of DMV connection where they can look up the cars previously associated with his License number? From what I have researched, it is supposed to be possible.

    This is quite a shot in the dark, but perhaps someone can assist in some way? Thanks for the help,

    Ryan
     
  2. Bxtech

    Bxtech Formula Junior

    May 4, 2006
    544
    SF Bay Area
    #2 Bxtech, Sep 24, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2011
    Wow..........that surely is a long shot! In California back then, I don't think car registrations were associated with the owner's driver's license. I'm not sure if a DL number will help in this case.

    As far as the vehicle's license plate number, if the car has moved out of California for a number of years, I don't think DMV keeps this info in their system. I think it kicks it out of their database after 5 years of inactivity. So, if the car has been sitting somewhere without any DMV "action" as well, I think it will fall out of their records just the same. Or, if there was a change of plates somewhere in the car's life, I don't think they can cross it over either.

    Then, if all of the above is in your favor, it would be very tough to convince someone that works at DMV to give you the info. I think this is a Federal offense and they could face criminal charges and of course lose their job on top of it. DMV used to give out addresses freely many years ago if you went in with a plate #, but all of that stopped when someone wanted to find out where a certain celebrity actress lived. They got her address and I think they ended up killing her if I remember correctly. I don't remember all of the details on that story or remember the name of the actress. That was in the days before the internet.

    Good luck in your search and I hope you find the cars you are looking for. That would be a super fantastic gift for your Father! If for some reason you are able to dig up the VINs on these cars, I would bet that you can locate them on a specific Impala or Nash enthusiasts forum.
     
  3. atomicskiracer

    atomicskiracer Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2005
    1,736
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    #3 atomicskiracer, Sep 24, 2011
    Thanks for the response... I know its quite a long shot. I was hoping that since I was looking for just the VIN, rather than the address or name of the current owner I would be able to get the information, but the odds are certainly not in my favor.
     
  4. Bxtech

    Bxtech Formula Junior

    May 4, 2006
    544
    SF Bay Area
    #4 Bxtech, Sep 24, 2011
    Yes, it's definitely worth a try! I hope something comes out of this and I hope you find these cars! It's a long shot......but surely weirder and more long shot things have come to happen!
     

Share This Page