Lost 1941 Cadillac

[Bob Schuman]

As some of you know, my Monica Blue 41 Cadllac Model 6219D sedan was heavily damaged from the cowl forward in January, when an oncoming car turned left immediately in front of me. It was totaled by insurance, since I did not want to consider dealing with repair, and was sold at auction on March 20 in St.Louis, MO by CoPart, the salvage yard. CoPart said they would give the buyer my information to possibly contact me, but so far, nothing.

If anyone out there has any knowledge of the whereabouts of my former 41 Cadillac, I am interested in learning about the buyer's plans for the car. I have a lot of information from 42 years of ownership that may be useful to the new owner.
Bob Schuman,CLC#254

[Doug Houston]

Bob:  Assuming that the has been titled somewhere, I believe that you can have a title search performed by the police, to see where it would be titled. It would be nation-wide, as I understand.

I've never done it, but I understand that this is the way you'd go about it.

I once had a '40 LaSalle 52 that went through several owners after I traded it for my 38-90 sedan. I just never got off my dead tush and did it. I know the vin, but I just should get hot on it. I am pretty good friends with the deputies in this township.

[Steve Passmore]

Bob:  Assuming that the has been titled somewhere, I believe that you can have a title search performed by the police, to see where it would be titled. It would be nation-wide, as I understand.

I've never done it, but I understand that this is the way you'd go about it.
Quote.

Is that not an illegal thing thing to do in the USA?  It certainly is here.   Only the Police have that power and to pass that information on to a private individual would be an offense under the privacy laws.

[Doug Houston]

It can be done here (stateside).  I had no implication that it would be done surreptitiously, but with the aid of the authorities. Indeed, it's best to be acquainted wit some of the officers, but there's nothing illegal in that. 

[tozerco]

Did you check Steve Passmore's garage?

[Steve Passmore]

It can be done here (stateside).  I had no implication that it would be done surreptitiously, but with the aid of the authorities. Indeed, it's best to be acquainted wit some of the officers, but there's nothing illegal in that.

I think that would need clarification from someone more legally experienced in these matters. I have checked a few different States DMV web sites and they all seem to be specific on all their 'Request forms' that one can only check up on your 'Own' registration. It states that on the forms.           
My guess is only certain organizations such as 'Re Po' and Insurance bodies like that would have the power to search any Title.  I can't see local officers doing you a favor is proof of perfectly legal.   Maybe I'm wrong, but surly everyone in your country would be doing it?  Bob wouldn't  need to ask.     Anyone else have any knowledge in this field?

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Perhaps Doug could walk Bob through the process...

[Doug Houston]

Steve: Please, let's confine this discussion to conditions and processes in THIS country. I can think of lots of nations where certain processes are not to be performed, but until I find out that I'm wrong, let's keep this within the US of A, please.

I've known of traces for lost or stolen cars where the VIN is known. I believe that the LEAN (sp?) system is what is used for that. The deputy sheriff in town here and his detective are friends of mine, and will give me the straight scoop on it.

[Steve Passmore]

Steve: Please, let's confine this discussion to conditions and processes in THIS country. I can think of lots of nations where certain processes are not to be performed, but until I find out that I'm wrong, let's keep this within the US of A, please.

I've known of traces for lost or stolen cars where the VIN is known. I believe that the LEAN (sp?) system is what is used for that. The deputy sheriff in town here and his detective are friends of mine, and will give me the straight scoop on it.

Its ONLY in your country I was asking for conformation of, hoping others would confirm your view.     I already know the legal position here.   I have to say, I'm surprised no one else has chipped in to say they too were able do what you say is possible.  I would certainly use a system like like often.

[Glen]

In 1968 when I bought my 61 Coupe I called DMV, gave them the license number and ask who the owner was, explaining that I was looking to buy the car and wanted to be sure it was not stolen.  The clerk gave me the name which was the name of the seller.  In 1973 when I went to buy the 68 ELDO I tried the same thing.  The clerk asked me the name of the seller.  When I told her she said that was the owner.  She explained that there were too many road rage cases where the driver of a car was tracked down via the DMV so they could not give out names any more.  In the early 80s I saw a nice 69 Eldorado sitting on the side of the road apparently abandoned.  I ask the police detective that lived next door about how I could find the owner.  He picked up the mike on his car gave the dispatcher the license number and in about 30 seconds handed me the name and address of the owner.  So yes it can be done.  But if the officer gets caught doing personal favors for a friend he/she could be disciplined.  Keep that in mind when you ask your friend for a favor. 

[cadillac ken]

The "right to information act" or some such thing made it perfectly legal for a citizen to go to the DMV and obtain any information that may be held by the state on any car here in Florida.  I don't know if that is something that may also apply in other states.  We need only supply a Florida Driver's License to the clerk to obtain the information we seek.

When I bought my '58 Biarritz, I got the ID # and had them "run it" to be sure the car was legit and to obtain any information about previous owners.
In my case, the ID# came back as never registered in Florida.

[Steve Passmore]

Sounds like thats contained just within Florida DMV then Ken and not something one can do covering the whole of the USA?

[Bob Schuman]

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions for my search. Here's what I have done so far:
1. Asked an Illinois state license office to try to trace the VIN. They did, and said no such number appears in their computer.
        The 1941 VIN is only seven characters, not compatible with their computers' programming.
2. Asked a local Sheriff's Deputy. He said he could only trace it if it has been retitled in Illinois, and found no record.
        I think it is unlikely the car has been retitled anywhere yet, because any rebuilding, if that is the owner's plan will not be completed quickly.
3.Asked the insurance claims adjuster to try to get the buyer's information from the salvage yard (CoPart Co.). She did that, and said they will not
        release a buyer's name.
4. It seems likely to me that the car has not yet been retitled anywhere, and may never be, so the title would still be in my name, no help there in
        tracing a buyer.

Any new advice will be welcome, but I think I have probably reached a dead end.
Bob Schuman

[cadillac ken]

Is it even a "rebuildable" car.  In Florida if a car is "totaled", it can never be issued another title to be on the road and is only sold for parts.  Perhaps the reason no new title has been found?

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Bob,
I assure you, the car is NOT in your name anymore. Your insurance co. & Copart create a "salvage" title in their name. They show as the owner. The buyer ,who must be registered with them, is required to E- sign the bill of sale before they issue it to him. At that point it's up to the buyer to finish the title  process. I'm sure they do send in some sort of release of liability to the state DMV.  In Ca. I transfer the vehicle & obtain a salvage title in my name.
HTH, Bob

[Doug Houston]

It's been along time since I bought a car (ANY car). Back then,it was possible for a person to "jump" a title.That means that he/she could buy a car, but hold the previous title without the date of sale, if he were crafty enough. That way, he could bypass state sales taxes, etc..  Dealers can do it legally, but unscrupulous parties could also do it.

The first jeep I owned had a jumped title, and i was uncomfortable about buying it. But younger, and less smarter, I went for it. It developed that there was never a problem.

Second, I bought a '70 convertible parts car that was a rear end wreck. I trashed the body and frame, but kept the few good pieces that remained, including the engine and trans. I gave them to a friend,but forgot the title. I still have it, and I suppose he still has the engine.  Old age has toned me down.