Finding Old Titles

[H/O84]

Not sure where to post this but restoration seemed fitting. Anyone know how long Wisconsin keeps titles on record? I have the 17 year old Wisconsin title for my Hurst olds and the title stated that the car came from Illinois. I know Illinois only keeps titles for 7 years but that is not how all states are. Kansas keeps all the title and doesn't get rid of them. Anyone know? I want to track down old owners to see if I can find any documentation.

 

[TURNA]

Oh damm I thought the title said Old t*tties

Anyway....

There is a federal law that went into effect in September 1997.

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, which passed Congress in 1994 and took affect three years later, prohibited state motor vehicle departments from giving records to individuals.

Many states will "bend" the law though.

With that being said you have to go to your local DMV with the VIN and request the info in person and in writing reason being "for the purpose of a complete restoration"

 

[H/O84]

They charge to do the search wether there is stuff or not that's why I wanted to know if anyone knew how long they kept titles

 

[TURNA]

Did you call and ask them?

 

[TURNA]

There website has a title search tool on it.

https://trust.dot.state.wi.us/totl/totlservlet?whoami=totlp1

 

[PBGBodyFan]

Late to the party but in 2015 I bought an 87' Aero that wasn't titled since 1999. Had to fill out a form and pay like $10 for them to find the last registered owner's name and when. I then used that information to apply for and receive a title. Took awhile to navigate but didn't cost much just some patience. I'm in WI too, so they must keep some records for an extended period. Contacting someone at the DMV is a good bet to get started.