Documentation

[Michael G.]

I've gone about as far as I can go with researching the owners of my blue 63.

I've now spoken with the second owner (1970-73) and he told me the name of the original owner (1962-70), who was a friend of his who is now deceased. He also told me that the car was sold at a different dealership than that listed on the NCRS shipping report. Apparently there must have been a dealer trade from Felix Chevrolet in central Los Angeles to a dealer just outside L.A., in Ridgecrest, Ca. Interestingly, this corresponds to a very old leather registration holder that came with the car, with Eyre Chevrolet embossed on it. I tried to check this with Eyre, but they're only Toyata dealer now and don't have any records. The car stayed in Ridgecrest until 1970, when it moved to San Diego, then to Maryland, Georgia, and now Michigan. These things sure get around...

The second owner verified the colors and other options (including the L84). He also told me that he kept the window sticker, but that he doesn't know where it is now. Sure hope it falls out of an old book or something . The convertible top was actually black in 1970, rather than white as it is now (white looks better IMHO, but if the sticker shows up and says it was delivered black, I may change it. So much for my 99.2 at Nationals).

It was kind of fun to research this, and I talked to some nice folks in the process...

[Michael J.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Documentation

I've gone about as far as I can go with researching the owners of my blue 63.

I've now spoken with the second owner (1970-73) and he told me the name of the original owner (1962-70), who was a friend of his who is now deceased. He also told me that the car was sold at a different dealership than that listed on the NCRS shipping report. Apparently there must have been a dealer trade from Felix Chevrolet in central Los Angeles to a dealer just outside L.A., in Crestview, Ca. Interestingly, this corresponds to a very old leather registration holder that came with the car, with Eyre Chevrolet embossed on it. I tried to check this with Eyre, but they're only Toyata dealer now and don't have any records. The car stayed in Crestview until 1970, when it moved to San Diego, then to Maryland, Georgia, and now Michigan. These things sure get around...

The second owner verified the colors and other options (including the L84). He also told me that he kept the window sticker, but that he doesn't know where it is now. Sure hope it falls out of an old book or something . The convertible top was actually black in 1970, rather than white as it is now (white looks better IMHO, but if the sticker shows up and says it was delivered black, I may change it. So much for my 99.2 at Nationals).

It was kind of fun to research this, and I talked to some nice folks in the process...

Michael,
Just as an FYI, which I am sure you know, NCRS does not judge window stickers or other documentation at meets, so your secret is safe with us.

[Michael G.]

Re: Documentation

I did all the snooping myself. These days a lot of info is on line, but you need a bit of luck. I was fortunate in that the early owners personally knew the person they bought the car from, so once I found one owner, the rest of the the names were fairly easy...

[Debi L.]

Re: Documentation

Mike,
Great that you have it documented that far. I ran into trouble from the last owner to the one before. Can't find him anywhere as all his phone numbers have met a deadend and the dealership that the car was delivered to was sold and has had three Dealership names since 65. Good for you and as you I have talked with some great folks. I have even reunited over the phone with some past Vette Club members from 35 years ago when I had my first 65 while in college. Wonderful to he one back again.

[Don H.]

Re: Documentation

I've gone about as far as I can go with researching the owners of my blue 63.

I've now spoken with the second owner (1970-73) and he told me the name of the original owner (1962-70), who was a friend of his who is now deceased. He also told me that the car was sold at a different dealership than that listed on the NCRS shipping report. Apparently there must have been a dealer trade from Felix Chevrolet in central Los Angeles to a dealer just outside L.A., in Crestview, Ca. Interestingly, this corresponds to a very old leather registration holder that came with the car, with Eyre Chevrolet embossed on it. I tried to check this with Eyre, but they're only Toyata dealer now and don't have any records. The car stayed in Crestview until 1970, when it moved to San Diego, then to Maryland, Georgia, and now Michigan. These things sure get around...

The second owner verified the colors and other options (including the L84). He also told me that he kept the window sticker, but that he doesn't know where it is now. Sure hope it falls out of an old book or something . The convertible top was actually black in 1970, rather than white as it is now (white looks better IMHO, but if the sticker shows up and says it was delivered black, I may change it. So much for my 99.2 at Nationals).

It was kind of fun to research this, and I talked to some nice folks in the process...

Mike
you have a beautiful car. I enjoyed scoping it out at Hampton. I think Eyre Chevrolet was in Ridgecrest CA. I don't recall there is any such town as Crestview. Heck of a long way from downtown LA out to Ridgecrest. I guess there were relatively few 63 L84 roadsters in the So. CAL area back then. Felix was and still is a giant Chevy dealer.

[Michael G.]

Re: Documentation

Thanks, Don, you are correct, it is Ridgecrest,Ca., not Crestview. Brain thinking Ridgecrest, fingers typing Crestview. Don't know where "Crestview" came from. At least I had "crest" correct...

[Chuck S.]

Re: Documentation

there Is a Crestline, ca which is in the San Bernardino mountains, east of los angeles.

[Roger P.]

Re: Documentation

I've gone about as far as I can go with researching the owners of my blue 63. I've now spoken with the second owner (1970-73) and he told me the name of the original owner (1962-70), who was a friend of his who is now deceased. He also told me that the car was sold at a different dealership than that listed on the NCRS shipping report. Apparently there must have been a dealer trade from Felix Chevrolet in central Los Angeles to a dealer just outside L.A., in Ridgecrest, Ca. Interestingly, this corresponds to a very old leather registration holder that came with the car, with Eyre Chevrolet embossed on it. I tried to check this with Eyre, but they're only Toyata dealer now and don't have any records. The car stayed in Ridgecrest until 1970, when it moved to San Diego, then to Maryland, Georgia, and now Michigan. These things sure get around... The second owner verified the colors and other options (including the L84). He also told me that he kept the window sticker, but that he doesn't know where it is now. Sure hope it falls out of an old book or something . The convertible top was actually black in 1970, rather than white as it is now (white looks better IMHO, but if the sticker shows up and says it was delivered black, I may change it. So much for my 99.2 at Nationals). It was kind of fun to research this, and I talked to some nice folks in the process...

Hi Michael, I had nearly an identical experience when I researched my car's previous owners. I spoke to all of them except the original owner. The second owner provided the most information including the name and a "colorful" story about the guy who owned it new. My soft top is also white, but I learned it was originally black, too. Like your car, my Vette was a dealer transfer from a larger dealer about 2 hours away from the small town dealer where the car was purchased. Most of the previous owners (and sometimes even their parents) were very nice to speak with and provided interesting stories and information about my car. They all had very fond memories and the car was special to most of them. The second owner received the car as a gift from his parents for getting excellent grades in school and being accepted to a prestigious university... then the car sat in his parents' garage for 9 years mostly unused while he was away in school! Most of the previous owners looked for paperwork and photos to send me, but unfortunately with little success. However, I got a surprise in the mail one day when I received an envelope from the third owner with the original ignition key. It was a neat experience sliding that key into the ignition and firing up the engine! One thing you can try if you haven't already is filling out a DMV application from all the states the car was titled in requesting copies of all the titles and registrations. Some states won't have information saved that far back, but some will have it. I was lucky because my car remained in one state for most of its early years and I was able to get copies back to the second owner from the DMV. It wasn't easy... I had to be "creative" with my research and also had some luck on my side. Now I just need some of that luck with the Lottery!! Congratulations on a job well done, Roger (50141)

[Michael G.]

Re: Documentation

Roger, it's funny that so many things in our experiences matched...

I've come away from the search with the impression that some wonderful people have been involved with these cars over the years.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Documentation

Around 1999, I started an attempt to find the original owner of my '67, which I had bought at Carlisle. I took off the tank sticker which was in very good shape and found out the car was originally sold in West Virginia. This was before all the privacy laws went into effect.

I must have spent two years mailing out letters to the DMV's and posting here but no luck. I was just about to give up when I called the West Virginia DMV. A nice lady answered and I asked her how long do they keep the records on the cars registered there. She said "about 50 years". I must have talked to her on the phone for about a half hour.

She was telling me about the '67 Camaro that she and her husband were restoring. While she was still pumped up, I asked her if she could find out the information, if any, that they would have on my '67. I gave her the VIN and she said she would send anything they had. Wow, what a pile of info they sent me. All of the owners from new to about 1972, then the car went to Pa. Below is the original owner's info, I had to white out his name to put it on the internet.

I have talked to him several times and he was astounded to see pictures of his new car. He only kept it one year when he got married and needed a "family car" which was a 396 Chevelle.

[Roger P.]

Re: Documentation

Roger, it's funny that so many things in our experiences matched... I've come away from the search with the impression that some wonderful people have been involved with these cars over the years.

Michael, I certainly agree with you. Unlike most cars, a Corvette - even when new - is typically a special car to the person who buys one. It only has two seats, so that alone makes it special because you never can take more than one other person with you for the ride. The second seat is rarely necessary unless my wife or one of the kids wants to go for the occasional cruise. A Vette is definitely very personal and has a strong connection to the owner; I think it's an extension of the owner's personality. It's my baby and is treated with TLC. As I like to say, "my Vette has two seats... one too many most of the time" :-)

[Michael G.]

Re: Documentation

Patrick it'd be funny to see how many Corvettes were sold in favor of "family" cars within a year of the birth of an owner's first child. I'd guess it'd be a very, very large percentage.

[Michael G.]

Re: Documentation

My car now has been pretty much a trailer queen for 24 years. Its garnered two Duntovs, a whole bunch of Top Flights, a Bloomington Gold, a gold spinner, and Triple Crown. Nice accomplishments, but I think it needs more in its life, but not more awards. It is time for it to come out of retirement...

Back in 1974, the car left a Marine base in San Diego and accompanied its Marine owner on a drive across the United States to its new home in Maryland. I think maybe late this Spring it will be time to retrace the drive...

[Carl N.]

Re: Documentation

Mike, if you do decide to start driving the car any distance I would suggest changing out some of the hard to find date coded parts for cheap AutoZone, NAPA parts. Alternator, starter, fan clutch, battery. Also invest in a good set of tires, check/change all the fluids and make sure you have insurance to cover driving it. Put together a simple set of tools to carry with you. Venture a hundred miles or so from home the first few times out. Pick a nice day for your first outing and you may find the drive almost as much fun as the 2014!