[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by jeff chmura

Another thought....
If my Dad got a ticket in the car, wouldn't I be able to see his drivers abstract and pull the ticket up? That would have the cars info on it.

A 45-50 year old ticket? Good luck. Most ticket info just notes the license plate and driver info. Unless the car was impounded and you happen to have THAT receipt\paperwork...

[jeff chmura]

Hi Ben,
been a while since I got one, but the more I think about it, your right,they usually put your DL number and the cars plate number on them.
I actually have the plate number from Dads 1965.... the problem is the records don't go back that far so I can't trace it.....
it was a thought...
Thanks Jeff

[John V.]

Jeff, agree the ticket would be a dead end but good that you still have some avenues to pursue.

On the timing of the order, not sure when PMD started accepting orders for the '65.

The '64 remained in production until the very end of July '64.

Production of the '65 began toward the end of August and the Dealers began receiving inventory shortly after that.

But the Dealers were not officially allowed to deliver them to retail customers until on or about Sept 21, '64. A Dealer may have cheated a day or two, but unlikely more than that.

GM got hit by a nationwide UAW strike on Sept 25 and that strike dragged on for about 38 days. Plants resumed production at different times, but around the 2nd week of Nov IIRC for most.

It is possible that your Dad could have had his order entered as soon as PMD started accepting orders for the '65s. That might have been in July but I am not at all sure.

But it might not have been built until after the strike was settled. Or it could have been built or in the process of getting built but not delivered to the dealer until after the strike was ended.

I take it you don't know exactly when your dad took delivery?

Either way, sounds like it was probably built before the New Year.

That narrows it down some, but without access to PHS records, you're still left with hoping somebody has the car today and will recognize the description of it.

Or you'll get lucky and somebody will come across some paperwork that shows the VIN.

The '64 GTO convert that I bought in '73 I eventually "abandoned". Long story how I gave that car up, but my parents would have had the NJ Title for it in their files. Unfortunately, by the time I gave it any thought, my mom had pitched it.

I've often wondered if the car still exists but like you, I don't know the VIN. I also have the plate no. for it and even the original keys, but never tried to contact my insurance co. or the NJDMV to see if I could rediscover the VIN.

About 6 or 7 years ago, I accidentally came across the loan paperwork for the '73 TA that I bought in '78. It had the VIN and my sister who worked for an insurance co. at the time was able to track down the current owner and I got to talk to him about my 2 year ownership of the car. Sadly, it was in very rough shape. This past summer he called me wondering if I was interested in buying it. If it had been even close to the condition it was in while I owned it, I would have bought it. But it isn't so I passed.

[jeff chmura]

Hi John,
thanks for the info. When I talked with my Mom, She remembers him getting it in the fall or early winter. He had it for his 19th b-day (Jan 13th)
Here in NJ,I sent a letter to DMV using the plate number, they don't have records going back 40+ years.
I contacted the insurance company that the family has been using for over 60 years, They don't go back that far either. Heck, when I was digging through some stuff,I came across the policy from 1957! nothing from '65 though
The family friend who owned the car in the 70's is going to check for me. maybe i'll get lucky there.
Its too bad there isn't a way to access dealer sales records or plant production records. I can get this car down to being built and purchased within a 6 month window, and with the options that I know he ordered, I'm sure it wouldn't be a big list of cars to check.

thanks Jeff

[F ROCK]

many '65's here in south jersey.
matt ritter on here has at least 3 65's and his father collects also.
i'm sure he has viewed many 65's, maybe he has seen your dad's car?
I think he's mritter on here; i'll check the members list.

edit: It's Mwritter.

[jeff chmura]

Hi, I sent him an e mail. Thanks for the help, Jeff

[spartazoo]

It would be awesome if PHS could filter searches by dealer, color, engine, etc. I am looking for my dads 68 HO GTO that I came home from the hospital in when I was born. No VIN and lots of dead ends.

[jeff chmura]

It would be cool if they did, but I would think it would be alot of work for PHS to search. Its more cost effective to put in a series of numbers and get 1 hit in return (aka VIN) then it would to be to search a burgandy lemans for 1965 and narrow from there.

Thanks Jeff