Copyright January 1998 Barbara Spear
Note: If you haven't read the Introduction, you may want to start there.
Ok, so you're not a professional detective, but that's exactly the type of work you'll be doing when you try to identify and find the past owners of your car. So, start thinking like a detective.
Past owner searches generally take time to complete, so you might as well get organized at the start so you'll have a designated place to put the clues and information you collect.
Either get yourself a 3-ring bound notebook with pockets inside the cover, or put a ruled pad in a file folder. Label the notebook or folder and put it in a safe place--where you can find it quickly and easily. Sorry if this sounds like obvious advice, but I've talked to many owners who lost valuable slips of paper containing notes they realized later in their search that they needed.
On your first sheet of paper, write down everything you know about your car. You'll need this info handy when you interview folks who might be able to help you, or if you post a request for help in print anywhere. Here are some descriptive details to include--and yes, again I've included the obvious because many folks overlook exactly those details, making it difficult for folks to help.
Model Year, make, model, exterior color, interior color.
VIN number.
Engine, transmission, and options.
Known modifications. (Was the car ever raced? Did it ever sport a custom paint job? Any custom body work? Was the radio replaced? Etc.)
Known accident damage. (Any evidence that the car was involved in an accident and repaired earlier in its life?)
Old License plate or marker numbers. (Eventually, you'll match this info with individual owners.)
Color photos of your car from every angle, and close-ups of any customization.
Think you're done? Hah! Now go clean your car.
I don't mean the usual Saturday wash and wax; I mean a serious clutter-clean. Now, if you've already done this, you may need to use your memory to recall what you found. Here's what you're looking for and where you might find it.
Windows. Look for emission, parking, and service stickers. The parking stickers can tell you where an owner worked, played, or went to school. The service stickers can tell you where the car was serviced.
Glove Box. Gosh this can be a treasure chest of goodies. Save any oddball scraps of paper you find. Car owners are notorious for stuffing things in a glove box then forgetting about them. You may find all types of documents, roadmaps or directions, small tools, even pencils and pens with advertising. Save it all till you're sure it's not important.
Interior and trunk (if applicable). Here you can find an amazing assortment of clues that can tell you about a past owner's lifestyle and identity. Remember to check carefully under the seats and in all the nooks and crannies--including the sunvisors. Did you find an ice scraper? Hmmm, at some time in its life, this car lived in a cold climate. Did you find a bottle of suntan oil? Somebody took your car to the beach. Gum or cigarette wrappers? Jot down the brand; some owners are known by friends for their brand loyalty. Bank or ATM receipts? A bank may just be willing to contact an owner for you. Store or restaurant receipts? These may point you to a geographic area--even if they're from a chain store because its store number is usually on the receipt. Dog or cat hairs? Someody was a pet lover.
Engine Compartment. Look for stickers from repair shops and any tools that may have been set down and forgotten.
Ok, once you've finished the clutter-clean, put all your treasures in a safe place and add your notes to your file.
Use a separate sheet of paper for each owner you can identify. When you begin your search, you may now know how many owners preceded you--but you certainly know you're not the first. Label each owner page with a number, and be ready to renumber and resequence the pages if you learn of additional owners.
On each owner page, jot down everything you know about that owner. You may not think you know much, but every detail is important. You'll continue to add to these pages as your search progresses. Here are some clues to look for and jot down.
Names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Was the owner a guy or a gal? (Important because gal's last names can change over time.)
How old was the owner when he/she owned the car?
Where did the owner live? Work? Or, what type of work did he/she do?
Was the owner a car club member? Or, a member of any other type of club?
What hobbies did the owner have?
After you've jotted down everything you can think of, review your notes. Seeing the clues on paper can help you put the pieces of the puzzle together. Can you match any of the clutter you found inside your car with particular owners?
In Part 3, you'll learn how to begin your search using the clues you've collected.
Have you hit a roadblock in your search, you can ask for help by posting a message on the Owner Search Message Board. Even if you're not engaged in a search, you may want to check out the message board. Somebody may just be looking for you!
All works contained herein are considered copyrighted subject matter and
cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the original author or the Yankee
Lady .
Copyright Barbara Spear 1996, 1997, January 1998