danglerb

You can learn a lot of history by taking out the seats and looking under them ...

My 83 has full history starting with Euro Delivery, every service as it passed through a San Diego navy family, then to me.

Vin is a bit limited, but some years Porsche knows who the selling dealer was, and carfax autocheck may have some location info, but privacy laws make it hard to find out more without hiring a professional.

The Forgotten On

I found a rusty razor blade and some broken mirror pieces, is that a bad sign?

NC928S4

Based on the many sins committed against the car I've reversed over the past 5 years I think mine was either owned by a red neck meth addict or a pimp from Harlem.

She's getting a fresh coat of paint on most body parts this week and should be back in my garage early next week.

jmartins

Mine was first owned by a Brazilian bank owner, sold to a art trader, a racer, and them to a congressman (who fells like Scarface !?), left abandoned for 18 years in a small upholstery shop and them finally sold to me

phendriks

Original and only Owner was a lumber baron in Northern Ontario (Hearst). The car was his wife's DD. Quite the place to find it as there's only one main paved road up there - for about a 5 hour drive in either direction. They decided to sell last year because she couldn't handle getting out of the car anymore. They're in their mid 70's.

Tazzieman

Delivered to a Miss Barbara Dickenson of New Zealand in 1982.
Either a rich old duchess or someone's lucky GF.
I should ask a New Zealander , like Tasmanians they're all related.
Except for the AC/DC drummer , who is driving the in my avatar.

oldfrat

I've been told, but have not tried to confirm, that sales records on cars are held at the county level and are public information.

Brad

JWise

My car is somewhat of a mystery. I have all the books with dealer stamps going back to delivery which occurred on March 3, 1990 at Carlsen Porsche in Santa Clara, CA. However, the first title wasn't issued until February 10, 1993, a California title in the name of Charles Savage. I have no address or contact information for Mr. Savage (the California DMV wouldn't provide that) although it appears he had the car serviced at Anderson-Behel Porsche, also in Santa Clara. If anyone by chance happens to know him and could help me make the connection, I'd greatly appreciate it.

One the things I'd most like to learn is whether or not my car was initially a PCNA executive car. As mentioned above, the car was delivered in March 1990 but not titled until February 1993. During the interim there is a dealer stamp from dealer #7620 in Reno, NV which just happened to be the location of PCNA's headquarters at that time.

Further adding to the intrigue - a few years ago a fellow Rennlister, who worked at a Porsche dealership, offered to look up our VINs and tell us our dealer invoice price. When he tried to look up my VIN, it wasn't in the database. Even his manager, who had been a Porsche dealer for 35 years, said "Hmm..." Their conclusion: my car was never owned by, or passed through, PCNA, which is the normal sales channel on it's way to the dealer and final customer. Rather, it was their opinion the car was owned by PORSCHE, likely as an executive car, until it was sold to Mr. Savage in early 1993. If this is true, it would certainly explain the mystery of my car's first 3 years. I would also note - this might also explain why my Certificate of Authenticity shows a MSRP of $52,330, which is probably some type of internal invoice price rather than the actual MSRP - which should have been $76,500.

My car's second owners appear to be Greta & Brian Ivanovic of Fort Wayne, IN. Google indicates Mr. Ivanovic is a chiropractor there in Fort Wayne. They bought the car at a local VW dealership, then traded it back in at the same dealership a couple of years later. I bought the car shortly thereafter, and therefore, believe myself to be the 3rd owner. I've had it since late 2006 and it's been a great car.

polecat702

I know for a fact that 2 of the PO's are rennlisters. One I bought the car from, and the other sent me a spare key he found while moving. It seems that my 89 is the only S4 sporting a set of 3 piece 993 wheels. That's how he knew it was his former 928. Also both stated the car had electrical issues. I agree, sometimes it drives me crazy.

I don't know who the original owner was, and don't have a clue as to how to find out. Doesn't really matter. It's mine, and I like it.

bureau13

Satan. Satan was the original owner of my car. :-|

RKD in OKC

Think the original owner of my car was Fred Flintstone and at some point someone installed a floor.

Pagnobito

Mine was originally sold in Japan and was imported to the UK in 2009. One would think that with Japanese expensive and intensive bi-annual checks and records I should be able to find out something but I've no idea where to even start. It does however have the original dealer sticker on the rear screen under the spoiler so maybe I could try them if they are still in business.
What it doesn't have is the VIN plate that is normally next to the hood catch, have I ever thought that was dodgy? Maybe but it's an S4 that has been converted to look like a GTS so who knows.

Tazzieman

Japanese dealers retain all records. The main dealer changed hands in the 90s I think. You have two chances of finding info - Buckley's , and none. My 911 was ex Japan and like many others , it is impossible to get secret informations for make benefit of current owner. I 'spose if you toss enough yen at the problem though...apparently the police are a first point of bribery.

voskian

My 91 GT was originally bought from Reitzl Porsche by an owner of a metal fabrication shop on the south shore from Boston, he owned it 3 years and put 14k miles on it. Traded it in at Park Porsche/Audi in Lawrence, Ma in 94 and it was sold to the owner of two large shoe stores in NH.
He put 10k miles on it from 94 til 2000 when he retired it to his car collection. I bought it in 2013 when it had 24k miles.

Pagnobito

The sticker is Mitsuwa Motors, I think later changed to Mizwa. Rather than owner I would like to find out where and when mine was converted to the GTS look and a bit of history as I have very little on it.