Tracing a car???? HOW??

Recently I've been bitten by the urge to try to trace the 1941 Studebaker Champion Coupe my grandfather had. Being an Indiana car, its probally long since been junked, but I want to try anyways.

I have the s/n of the car and several old Indiana plate numbers. Does anybody know how to see is such a car is still in existance, or at least currently ***led or registered?

Here is a picture of the car; standing in front of it is my late Mother, about 3-4 years old.

Thanks,
Kent

 

You may have some luck with the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles; I'd start there.

I can tell you, though, that vehicles without a standard 17 digit (otherwise known as non-conforming) VIN numbers fly below the radar of most agencies, and if there is a record of the car anywhere, it's most likely a paper one - not easily exhumed.

Stude Champs are very nice cars - good lookin' and popular back in the day.

another way to search is to check with the Stude clubs to see if there is a registry; if the car is still a runner - there's a chance it would pop up on a registry somehweres.

 

Try either the owners club or any local car club secretaries in the locality of where it was originally used in Indiana.
Its just the luck of the draw, I'm chasing info on my Impala used in Ohio. Chris

 

So theres really no way in a computerized national database to see if it is still ***led or registed by S/N?

 

Some states offer a research service - I've been meaning to look in to the one M***achusetts offers to see how far they can go back. From the M*** RMV site:

"If you would like to trace the history of a vehicle, you may request a copy of either the RMV computer record of the previous owner(s), or photocopies of the actual ***le application and supporting do***ents. RMV do***ents are no longer considered public records so you must complete a Request for Personal Information Application."