Looking for prior owner (Minnesota)

[414TATA]

This is a total shot in the dark but thought I would try here.

I am the 4th owner of my 1941 Buick Super 51. I know the first owner gave the car to her grandson (owner # 2)about 1976. He was a student in Mankato Minnesota at MSU at the time. He sold it to owner # 3 in Mankato MN. At that time the car had Minnesota plates, Owner # 3 believes it was always a Minnesota car. If you know anything about this car/ owner. I would love to know where it was bought new. or if you have any ideas for me of how I can track prior ownership. I am all ears.

You have to be a car lover to know why this is important, so I think this is the place to ask.

Thanks.

Wayne

Fresno, Ca.

[Guest Jim_Edwards]

Your best bet will be to track down owners 3 and then 2. Chances maybe good the grandson of what may be the original purchaser might just know. Too many years have passed to get anything from the Minnesota DMV based on the VIN number.

[414TATA]

Thanks for the thought Jim

I do know who owner#3 is and have spoke with him. He is the one who told me he bought from the grandson of the original owner( a woman). Owner #3 didn't ask about the 1st owner or know were the student was from but the car had MN plates when purchased by # 3 in 1976. I am going to keep at this. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Thanks again

Wayne

[Guest Jim_Edwards]

Thanks for the thought Jim

I do know who owner#3 is and have spoke with him. He is the one who told me he bought from the grandson of the original owner( a woman). Owner #3 didn't ask about the 1st owner or know were the student was from but the car had MN plates when purchased by # 3 in 1976. I am going to keep at this. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Thanks again

Wayne

Wayne is not the "student" and owner #2 the same and grandson of the person likely to have been the spouse of the original owner? If owner #3 knows the full name of that person here is a at least a 50/50 chance the surname would be the same as tje grandmother. In any event it is not that hard to track down someone today if you have their full name. It may be indeed possible the "grandmother" is still living though 25 years have passed by and notwithstanding senility that person may recall more about the car's ownership history. Of course you might find out her spouse was an old car buff like us and bought the sucker from an ad in Hemmings only a year or two before she sold it. In that case: Probably dead end, game over.

[caddyshack]

I would still check DMV records. 1976 records were on microfilm not that many years ago. If you know and have talked to #3, his name should be on a MN title transfer application. These documents go back a long way. Ask if a fee would help. Some insurance companies also have archives (#3s carrier might have info). Good luck