Tracing history of my 911S Targa

[stack]

Has anyone got any tips on how I can trace some history of my 911S Targa (1972). I purchased the car in Holland recently from its Dutch owner of 10years. He imported it from California in 1993. I have a name of its American owner (according to State of Cal certificate of title). But that's it.
Is there a way to trace how many owners it's had in the US?

[RandyWebb]

yes, contact Cal dmv

[70SATMan]

Kali-fornia Department of Motor Vehicles will provide title information based on VIN for a given year for a fee of $20-25 as I recall. Each year requested is a separate fee. For instance if you wanted to know owners on title between 73-83 that would be $250. That would only be for cars registered in California though.

[RandyWebb]

don't ask for each year -- Email them or call and ask what years had a title transfer; then ask for that info - they will not give out personal info

also you can trace it to what other states ir was titled in

- that's what I did - my 73 went to 3 POs in Calif., then to 3 PO's in Wash/Oregon/Wash, then to me in Oregon.

[stack]

Kali-fornia Department of Motor Vehicles will provide title information based on VIN for a given year for a fee of $20-25 as I recall. Each year requested is a separate fee. For instance if you wanted to know owners on title between 73-83 that would be $250. That would only be for cars registered in California though.

Thanks. I tried the website but it says VIN were only introduced in 1981. The title certificate I have gives the serial number as the VIN, which is then 7 digits short to be a standard VIN number. I guess I should phone them and ask how to proceed.

[stack]

don't ask for each year -- Email them or call and ask what years had a title transfer; then ask for that info - they will not give out personal info

also you can trace it to what other states ir was titled in

- that's what I did - my 73 went to 3 POs in Calif., then to 3 PO's in Wash/Oregon/Wash, then to me in Oregon.

Thanks Randy. When you say no personal info, do you mean they wont give the name of the PO?

[RandyWebb]

right - or the address

You can write a letter and ask the DMV to forward it to the PO (Wash. DMV offered to do that for me), and ask PCA to do the same thing and for any history on the car. None of them responded to my letter tho. You can also ask the last PO who he got it from. I did have old receipts tho, and compiled a history from that. It's a nice thing to have and can encourage the next owner to take care of and have pride in the car. There will be a next owner unless you totally crash it - you'll get too old to drive or die someday. The car can be a bit of a legacy... some have passed them down in their families for 2-3 generations.

If it's a newer car the VIN will be tracked by an online service.