Does anyone know if Ford has ownership information available and where do I contact?I did an ownership search through Virginia DMV but only got a little info back to 2000 with no names shown.I don't know if original owners name would be available from Ford records.Anyone have any other suggestions?




  

What you are trying to discover is very difficult. You must remember that when these vehicles were produced, there were no computers as we know them. If Ford had kept records, it would indicate which dealer a vehicle was sold to. Since no one works for Ford that was working there when the vehicle was built. If such records exist, probably no one knows and certainly no one would be willing to go through dusty boxes of papers. Also, in those days, many vehicles were sold to large town dealers and then sold through sub dealers. Every state is different, but I would strongly suspect that no state would search back farther then what is in their computer. In Texas subsequent sales were done at the county clerk level. I would also suspect that these records were destroyed after so many years. Unless you purchase a vehicle that has been in one family for many years, I would say it is impossible to find a history.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Thanks for your input.I believe that GM can provide some info on vehicles back to the 60's(not sure about 50's) as they seem to have kept records if you have the VIN.I am hoping someone on this site has tried what I am trying to do and can point me in the right direction.What I was told when i bought the car was that it had come from original owner to the guy I bought it from.Of course that could be a story.

  

Im in the same boat.... ive been trying to find a way to trace the ownership to no avail.  I think the Marti report can track ownership for fords, BUT only from the '60's.  I think GM does a better job at making this info available

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Ford had a major fire in the building where its archives were kept. If they did keep that kind of information, it probably got destroyed.



The early TBird owners rare were somewhat luckier. There are dealer invoices for a lot of them, saved by chance as they were being thrown out..

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Just to follow up further.I did the prospective purchaser search with DMV in Virginia.Didn't get much.I emailed them and explained what I am looking for and they emailed back and said there is another form which can be submitted and it will be reviewed as to what further info they are allowed to release under privacy laws.I was told my car had been in that state since new so I am still hopeful of getting some information.Will let you know if anything comes out of this.By the way the car is now in Ontario Canada.

  

I guess I really got lucky. I bought my 57 from the second owner in 2005. He bought it in 1958 from the original owner with 7,000 miles on it. It was sold by Cort Fox Ford in Hollywood and I got two dealer license plate frames, 2 sets of California license plates, and many old service records and registrations. I put them all in a scrap book, along with pictures of the second owner standing by my trailer with the car ready to go East.

Paul J. - '57 E Code

First off, what year of Ford?  If you are looking for info on a 55-57 other than a Thunderbird, good luck.  It was my understanding when Lois Eminger/T-Bird club received the Gate Releases in the early 60's, they received both T-Bird and passenger cars for all assembly plants.  The Gate Releases were sorted to archive the T-Bird builds.  In addition, Gate Releases for the 1957 E and F engine passenger cars, along with certain cars sold to high profile individuals were also kept.       

1967 and later Ford were computerized, and are available through Kevin Marti.

1966 and earlier, other than Special Vehicles Dept. and certain factory race cars, are most likely gone, at least at Ford.  There may be a possibility that State motor vehicles can run a search.  I believe one of the issues today, are that of privacy.  20+ years ago, I ran title searches on cars in various states, including VA, and did not have any issues  

I believe the fire referred to was the Ford Rotunda in Dearborn that burned down in Nov 1962.  In reality, the majority of records were/are kept at the old Highland Park Plant. 

If you do come across a resource, kindly let us know.

Thanks.

Regards,

Dennis

  

Hello Dennis,I am after info on my 56 Fairlane(thats it below).I realize its a longshot but thats why I posted this question.On this topic of vehicle owner history I have an interesting item in my collection.I bought an owner manual on Ebay.Included was an original dealer service policy with the original owners info filled in.I was trying to figure out the color scheme and interior trim codes.Couldn't make sense of it so I contacted John at lovefords.com.He was a liittle excited because turns out the exterior color was tangerine orange/white.He told me it was the first documented example of a non-Sunliner with this color combo he had run across.Interior trim code was incorrectly shown on service policy so couldn't say what that was.If anyone on this site has this car let me know.M6FT338900.Originally sold in Toledo Ohio on Sept 28/56.

  

hi, have you talked to the guys at the crown vic. site. they may have a source.

 lincoln/merc. y-blocks &mel's                                                               bucyrus, ohio.