Cars I've Owned, VINWiki and the Quest for Old VINs

[Bob]

I started posting more on VINWiki after Ed announced he is giving away his 993 when he hits 1 million YouTube subscribers to a randomly selected VINWiki user who has at least 25 posts. My original thought was just to get my post count up to 25 and call it a day, but I ended up having fun with it. The Plate to VIN feature is great since all you need is a license plate to link back to a VIN. I recently decided to try to track down all the VINs of cars I used to own. The recent ones aren't an issue since I have pretty good records in my email, but the stuff from before 2005 is definitely difficult.

1. 1991 Toyota Corolla - VIN missing, but not a ton of interest in finding it
2. 1994 Acura Integra LS - VIN missing
3. 1994 Honda Prelude VTEC - VIN missing
4. 1995 Camaro Z28 - VIN located (thanks Kevin)
5. 1989 Chevy Corsica - VIN missing, but not much interest in finding it
6. 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R - VIN missing, but not much interest in finding it
7. 1988 Toyota 4Runner - VIN located
8. 2001 Corvette Z06, VIN located
9. 1994 Toyota Tercel, VIN missing, but not much interest in finding it
10. 1998 Honda Civic EX, VIN located
11. 2005 Lotus Elise, VIN located
12. 2008 Mini Cooper S, VIN located
13. 2002 Honda Civic Si, VIN located
14. 2012 Toyota Prius, VIN located
15. 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport, VIN located
16. 2000 Honda Prelude Type SH, VIN located

Out of all the missing VINs, the ones I really want to find are the first Prelude and first Integra. I'm certain both of these cars have long since deceased due to rust issues, but it would be fun to see where they ended up.

[Bob]

Tried my old insurance agent in Maine - no luck.

[Bob]

Here's the Carfax for the 4Runner. Apparently, it made it until 2008.

[Bob]

Update: found the VIN for my 98 Civic EX. Once I get a good amount of VINs (possibly including the Integra and the Prelude), I’ll see if I can get a volume discount from my sketchy Carfax guy.

[kevm14]

I don't even remember that Civic. I guess I should try to list my cars?

I am curious about the fate of the Camaro. And Fleetwood which has had an interesting life.

[Bob]

You should put them into VINWiki. Actually I already put the Camaro in there, but if you want me to put in the other VINs, I can. Carfax could also be interesting.

[kevm14]

Let me at least start with a list.

1. 1989 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (24 hours of ownership, I'd be shocked if I had the VIN somewhere)
2. 1993 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (still technically own the car so I certainly have the VIN)
3. 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (you owned it first though I had to supply the VIN)
4. 1991 Ford Ranger (I believe this came before the Fleetwood but I think it was a similar 2008 timeframe, probably early 08)
5. 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (as I still own everything that comes after this, I will say I miss this one the most)
6. 2005 Cadillac CTS-V
7. 2008 Cadillac SRX
8. 1999 Dodge Ram
9. 2005 Cadillac STS
10. 1996 Buick Roadmaster

So that means I still own 60% of the cars that I've ever owned in total. And 50% of them are on the road at this time. That's kind of cool. 0% of them suffered any kind of powertrain failure, unless you count a clutch in my Camaro. Also 60% of them had over 100k at the time of purchase. 80% of them have been GM. And aside from rust, nothing happened to any of these cars that I wasn't able to fix.

And the 1996 Nissan Maxima gets an honorary mention even though it was never registered in my name.

I would also be interested in the fate of my dad's old 91 Olds Custom Cruiser, as that car suffered severe engine damage after he ran it low on oil (don't worry, it was a 305) and it ended up with a 454 and some other neat stuff under a different owner.

I'd also love to know how long my parents' 1990 Lincoln Continental stayed on the road after they traded it on the Maxima in 1999. I bet not that long. Pretty crappy car.

[Bob]

I don't even remember that Civic.

Remember now? 98 EX coupe, 5-speed.

[Bob]

Also, I was able to locate the VINs for 2/3 of the motorcycles I have owned with the only missing one being the CBR.

1. 1983 Yamaha Virago - VIN located
2. 1994? Honda CBR 600 - VIN missing
3. 2005 Yamaha FZ6 - VIN located

[kevm14]

I recall the CBR as a 94.

And no, I still really don't remember the Civic. I did however instantly recognize West End Ave!!