SHINTON
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Location
- Triad area of NC
Have you ever sold a vehicle that you regretted? That is where I am at and I have been thinking a lot more about this and decided to see if there was any way possible to go find my old 1972 GMC Jimmy, "Big Orange."
Some of the guys that have been around Carolina Trailblazers and here on NC4x4 for a while probably remember the truck, I will put a few pictures below for reference, I bought it in 1995 or so and then sold it in 2004.
I remember WHEN I decided to sell it, I was at Crackers Neck, with about an inch or two of clearance on each side of the body, mirrors tucked in between two trees that were NOT going to move. At that point I realized this truck was TOO nice to beat up and if I was going to keep wheeling then a full size GMC was not a good idea. There was a white 67-72 Chevy/GMC in the CTB club at that time, Greg I think his name was that was BUILT..and BEAT. So I came home from that trip with a brand new plan to finish up my body repairs, paint it, sell it for top dollar and buy something I could 4x4 without worry.
A few of you have met my dad and seen some of the work we did together, and this Jimmy came out great. "Chevy Red" was really orange as it could be, but the Jimmy had great metal, we welded in new tubs/boxes under the floor that were needed to support the convertible top. Repainted the whole thing and painted the top BLACK and it really looked sharp. Somewhere in my life I had just a few pictures from when it was done, if I can find them I will post up.
So 17 years later, I am looking at a bunch of old classic cars over the weekend, thinking maybe it was time to buy something for a third car and in my heart what I really want is my old Jimmy. I met my wife for our first date in that Jimmy, she swears she hated it but I think that is the reason I got date #2 and beyond! LOTS of memories with my college buddies and with quite a few of you on here as well. Pond Mountain with CTB was my first ever trip and I still remember the terror and excitement crawling up the mountain and camping overnight at the top.
Here is what I know and I wanted to put this out there to see if anyone has access to information or leads, anything you have that can help re-connect me to my Jimmy would be appreciated. The first step, I found my old VIN number, my insurance agent is awesome, she tracked it down for me this morning TKE182F503730 and with that I then purchased a BUMPER report that shows me title information for the last few transactions.
I remember the guy buying it was from the Va Beach area..or at least that is what I think and it shows title recorded 2/12/2004 in VA.
Then 6/27/2015 there was a title issued in NC.
Finally in 8/9/2017 another title issued back in VA with special notes showing "sold 07/22/2015" but not titled for a couple of years in 2017.
I believe I am also seeing a "salvage" title record in Virginia but no other details shown. So there maybe a wreck or insurance claim.
It appears that NC I can request the owners name and address for the NC title, not sure if that is still true but I am going to spend a bit of money to see, cost is like $1 or $14 for a "certified true copy" but looks like you need a good reason or hire a PI? (Any PIs on here?)
www.ncdot.gov
VA does not appear to give out that same info for the current owner's registration.
So that is my story to date, I will put in a few pictures and would LOVE to hear from folks that remember Big Orange, maybe has a few old pictures from back and the day and any suggestions for finding and tracking it down!
Sam
Some of the guys that have been around Carolina Trailblazers and here on NC4x4 for a while probably remember the truck, I will put a few pictures below for reference, I bought it in 1995 or so and then sold it in 2004.
I remember WHEN I decided to sell it, I was at Crackers Neck, with about an inch or two of clearance on each side of the body, mirrors tucked in between two trees that were NOT going to move. At that point I realized this truck was TOO nice to beat up and if I was going to keep wheeling then a full size GMC was not a good idea. There was a white 67-72 Chevy/GMC in the CTB club at that time, Greg I think his name was that was BUILT..and BEAT. So I came home from that trip with a brand new plan to finish up my body repairs, paint it, sell it for top dollar and buy something I could 4x4 without worry.
A few of you have met my dad and seen some of the work we did together, and this Jimmy came out great. "Chevy Red" was really orange as it could be, but the Jimmy had great metal, we welded in new tubs/boxes under the floor that were needed to support the convertible top. Repainted the whole thing and painted the top BLACK and it really looked sharp. Somewhere in my life I had just a few pictures from when it was done, if I can find them I will post up.
So 17 years later, I am looking at a bunch of old classic cars over the weekend, thinking maybe it was time to buy something for a third car and in my heart what I really want is my old Jimmy. I met my wife for our first date in that Jimmy, she swears she hated it but I think that is the reason I got date #2 and beyond! LOTS of memories with my college buddies and with quite a few of you on here as well. Pond Mountain with CTB was my first ever trip and I still remember the terror and excitement crawling up the mountain and camping overnight at the top.
Here is what I know and I wanted to put this out there to see if anyone has access to information or leads, anything you have that can help re-connect me to my Jimmy would be appreciated. The first step, I found my old VIN number, my insurance agent is awesome, she tracked it down for me this morning TKE182F503730 and with that I then purchased a BUMPER report that shows me title information for the last few transactions.
I remember the guy buying it was from the Va Beach area..or at least that is what I think and it shows title recorded 2/12/2004 in VA.
Then 6/27/2015 there was a title issued in NC.
Finally in 8/9/2017 another title issued back in VA with special notes showing "sold 07/22/2015" but not titled for a couple of years in 2017.
I believe I am also seeing a "salvage" title record in Virginia but no other details shown. So there maybe a wreck or insurance claim.
It appears that NC I can request the owners name and address for the NC title, not sure if that is still true but I am going to spend a bit of money to see, cost is like $1 or $14 for a "certified true copy" but looks like you need a good reason or hire a PI? (Any PIs on here?)
Official NCDMV: Vehicle Records
www.ncdot.gov
VA does not appear to give out that same info for the current owner's registration.
So that is my story to date, I will put in a few pictures and would LOVE to hear from folks that remember Big Orange, maybe has a few old pictures from back and the day and any suggestions for finding and tracking it down!
Sam
