MTFCA Forum

If I have the latest title for a Model T of US origin, is there then any way I can trace back previous owners?

Generally, the answer is No. All the 50 states have various title laws, some don't even give titles. When you have another's title to transfer to your name, the old title is surrendered. Doubt any state office of motor vehicles keeps that paper, or scans to a data base.

There are websites where you can enter the vehicle i.d. number (VIN), most charge for the service, that can tell you past info, like recalls, damage, etc. Most states have laws protecting the identity of previous owners anyway. If you know the state that issued the title, try on-line to the Dept of Motor Vehicles in that state, perhaps, but a long shot.

My state of FL allows lookup if you know the VIN or title #. Did that, shown below on a coupe I sold last year. No details on my name as the '1 owner'. I can promise I was not the original owner! The previous title was issued from FL, so the coupe came from the seller in FL, but I don't know, nor did he, where this T was last titled before he got it.

Good luck BUT unless you bought the car from no more than the 2nd or 3rd owner the answer is probably no. Here in Texas the DMV expunges the auto records after 25 Years. Other states may be different.
Any cars with no titles older than 25 years the Texas DMV checks to see if the engine no. comes up stolen.
Any attempt to trace a car is usually a long shot.

dykker5502 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:50 pm

If I have the latest title for a Model T of US origin, is there then any way I can trace back previous owners?

As previously stated above, very unlikely.
In the US Titles are issued by the individual states. They are intended to be a document of proof of ownership. You have said you have the latest title..
So... you can search on the name of the person and State names on the Title as a means to contact the seller to see what they know. Unfortunately many Model T owners haven't realize the value of "provenance" (recording the history of the car - owners, modifications and even oil changes) as it will effect the value of their T and how it will reduce the Capital Gains Tax they will owe when its sold.

I'll attempt to help you understand the "NO" answer to your question.
The individual's name on a Title, prior owner, at time of sale can be "assumed" to be correct and only the signature if properly notarized and documented. If from an estate additional documentation would be required.
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The description of a vehicle prior to 1954 is on a title is questionable. VIN numbers started in 1954, but no standard was established until 1981 as a 17 character number for the vehicle. When it comes to Model T's an engine number is ofetn used as a "VIN" number or an encrypted alias is issued by the state to meet their VIN number field. From the MTFCA Encyclopedia "The engine number was also the serial number of the car. Engines were numbered when they were completed, and for the most part went into a chassis within a day or so. However, some engines were assembled and numbered at branch assembly plants. Highland Park would ship a block of engine-number records to an assembly plant and these engines might be made weeks or months afterwards. Consequently, engine numbers can only be used to date the "engine" NOT the car.