I while ago I sold my 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 out of Northeast Ohio, and am really hoping to try and buy it back from whomever has it now. I have been trying to track it down for some time, and the last known information is it may be in Pittsburgh PA. When it was sold it was Aztec Gold with black stripes (see photo), and has possibly been painted to be Black Cherry. The last five of the Vin is 33390, which I can provide the full Vin if it is needed. But this car means a lot and I am willing to pay a negotiable finders fee to whoever succeeds in helping me locate this vehicle. But, any information no matter how small is greatly appreciated.
Either Ohio or pa dmv would have info on the current owner but it is private information. People have been fired for inappropriate access. A 14 year old or pi might be able to gain access, or insurance companies may have access. If it meant so much though why sell it?
I was honestly hoping to find it using online sources before resorting to that. Its usually easier to talk to someone before sending a PI rather than after lol.
I have tried several VIN search sites but because the VIN is pre 81 when the US changed to the modern 17 digit format, I haven’t found one that likes this VIN.
Another option, apparently there is a Facebook group that specialized in this type of thing.
Here’s another opinion:
“I’d probably try an online 442 Facebook page, if there’s such a thing, and also a national Oldsmobile club website and/or their Facebook page. I actually located, for an acquaintance, her old 1963 Studebaker Avanti with serial number, on the AACA website. It took a year for the response though. She had traded it in in 1966.”
Do an online insurance quote where they ask for the VIN. Maybe it’ll reveal some useful information. Maybe it can be narrowed down to what State it is in.
I did one with something like last name and address or knowing one vehicle model or VIN and it listed all the vehicles registered to the address so I could select which vehicle I was getting a quote for. The insurance companies seem to know everything.
In another discussion about people selling stolen vehicles, I happened across this link for Illinois: https://apps.ilsos.gov/regstatus/ I assume it is either used to determine if the title for a vehicle is valid or not, or if a vehicle is reported stolen.
Perhaps other States have something like this, and you could put your VIN in in every State and perhaps find something out?
So let me get this straight, you sold this vehicle in the “mid-1990s”, i.e. almost 30 years ago, and you honestly believe that it is still on the road today, and if it is, that the current owner would be willing to part with it???
Here’s the problem with this theory. While this type of vehicle might be valuable, and highly sought after today, anyone buying this type of vehicle 30 years ago was probably just looking for a “cool” and “fun” inexpensive used car.
It’s the same problem one would face trying to buy a Dodge Shadow, Ford Probe, Chevrolet Beretta, etc. today. Anyone looking to buy this type of vehicle now would be an enthusiast, and would likely take very good care of it. Certainly, they would have to pay a lot to acquire one in decent condition. However, someone looking to buy this type of vehicle 20 years ago was likely just looking for an inexpensive used car. And unfortunately, most people who owned these type of vehicles when they were plentiful simply wore them out and junked them.
And sadly, that is what probably happened to your Oldsmobile.
Probably, but OP is simply asking a question. I see nothing wrong w/that. If it was about a Tercel you might have a point that the question is cluttering the forum, but a classic 442? Seems ok by me.
There are lots of TV shows about finding old classics and bringing them back to life, from don’t get it right, just get it running again and go drive it, to full frame off restorations and everywhere in between… I’d bet there are a lot of people out there looking for a 442 W30 to fix up with their kids or whatever…
You can drive a clapped out old classic down to the drive through/market and still get more rubber necking and thumbs up etc then a old econo box or even a newer Mustang, Challenger or Camaro…
Nobody has come up to me when putting gas in my new truck, but I have had Ladies come up to me asking to take a picture of my fun car… I have had guys yell out want to sell it or, very cool etc etc at red lights, never has that happened in any of my 80’s and up vehicles…
