Need help finding history

I am looking for history/info on a 68 Mustang CJ, sold through Foulger Ford. It is Orange (DSO Calypso Coral). 4spd, 3.91, built 7/2/68, sold 9/6/68. Car looks like it has been raced, wrecked and rebuilt. I am restoring the car which I've owned for 12 years. Body work is complete ready for paint. Any info would help in the restoration.

Ralph
Havasu  

Might be best to start with the VIN and door tag info and get a Marti report
https://www.martiauto.com/secure/vinreports.cfm  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

I have the Marti and Ford reports, 8R02R166369. What might be the biggest help is an old timer like me remembering an Orange CJ, car spent most of it's life in AZ (since 89)but I think it came from CA that year. I have tried to get info from CA motor vehicles records but the do not have old data. I don't think there were very many orange CJ's built.

rb  

What exactly are you looking for? If you have the Marti report and/or the Emminger report and if your car was originally an Orange CJ, then you know exactly how many cars came off the assembly line like yours because it is right there in living color on the Marti report.

http://forums.mustangandfords.com/70/7141437/mustang-general-discussion/miles-lincoln-mercury-dealership-in-lyndhurst-nj-i/index.html#7444083

I did some research, and I found that New Jersey would provide me with records regarding previous registrations and titling on my 1970 Mercury Cougar as well as how the car was disposed of in regards to an estate sale.....cost like $5.00....

You are going to have trace back previous owners if you want a history on that particular car (I assume that is what you want to ***

"Whether you're trying to locate a car you once owned* (it can be done!) or tracing the owners of the one you are restoring, the first thing you need to do is decode the VIN number. Why? Because the VIN contains critical information such as: where the car was manufactured; production date; interior and exterior colors; accessories.

* You can't find that old car you owned without the VIN number, so start searching through those old insurance policies. They always contain the number. If you don't have old copies but have had the same insurance company/agent all these years, contact them and ask for a record check. Chances are they can find the number. Other sources might be checkbooks, military records, tax records and old photos that show license plates. Some DMV's have records that go back many, many years.

The most important pieces of information are the place and date of manufacture. The factory location is important because most popular cars were produced in a number of different locations. Knowing the factory location narrows down the geographic area where the car might have been delivered (Fords made in California didn't normally get shipped to New Jersey dealers, etc.)  

The date of manufacture indicates where in the production run the car might have been, what engineering changes might have been incorporated and whether or not claims by previous owners may be valid (unscrupulous sellers will say anything to increase the value of a car, so don't readily believe the car is "the first one off the line," "factory installed big block" or some other claim.)

Decoding VIN numbers is easy these days. Many books about specific models have VIN decoder charts inside, frequently stating which dealer ordered the car. If you have the dealer's name you can go directly to them for records of the original purchaser.

Another way to do it is to join an enthusiasts' website or forum. Nearly all of these have members who will decode VIN numbers or they post the information on the site. Taking the time to decode your VIN number tells you so much that you can't afford not to do it.

Onward To The DMV!

It is most likely that you will have to trace ownership through a DMV. Everybody hates the DMV, so you have to change your "mindset" about them. Consider the DMV's of the 50 states to be a huge resource that is waiting to be tapped for information. It's how you go about doing so that is the secret to success, so be patient and allow yourself to explore the intricacies of the system.

In the final analysis, what you are trying to do is trace back each owner in succession, through the use of title searches. Therefore, you have to start with the state from which the title you received at the time of purchase was issued and work backwards.

Many times during this process you will receive copies of titles that go back to when the vehicle entered the state. At that point there will either be a copy of the previous title or its number and issuing state. That information will be used to contact the next state DMV for information, and so on.

Most state DMV's will look up titles for a fee and it is always best to contact the main office (usually in the state capital) instead of a satellite office. Below is the web address for all the US and Canada DMV's:

www.dmvwebsites.com

At this site you can find the appropriate DMV and, with luck, transact your business on the web.
How you do so is important, especially in this time of heightened social paranoia and concern for privacy. You don't want anyone thinking you're a detective looking for a deadbeat or a lawyer trying to sue some past owner, so take your time constructing your request. Here's a sample letter to a DMV that we've found produces results:

To Whom It May Concern,
I have purchased the following vehicle, ______________, VIN # ____________, Title #_________, for the purpose of a complete restoration. As part of that restoration I would like to trace its history through all previous owners, back to its date of manufacture and delivery to the dealer.

I am requesting a title search back to the time the car entered your state. Copies of titles would be preferred if your system allows. However, any information as to owners, dates of transfer, cities/towns, etc. will be appreciated.

Fees required for such searches will be remitted in any way you request, and I will be happy to sign any applicable non-disclosure agreement. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Be patient, because this process could take some time. If your vehicle "lived" in several states the tracing process could take months, but eventually you should be successful in tracing most, if not all, previous owners.

Contacting Previous Owners

This is the part where luck comes into place. Copies of old titles show the name and address of the then-owner, so a white-pages search (now on the internet) will sometimes turn up the individual still residing there. In most cases, however, you will find the owner moved away, died or otherwise can't be found. Just move on to the next one in that case.

When you do make contact make sure you tell the person that you believe he/she once owned the car you are restoring and you'd like to talk about it. You will almost always hear a good story and some details on the car itself.

Perseverance

Like the restoration itself, tracing the car's history is supposed to be fun. Don't get impatient or frustrated if you reach a dead end. Time has a way of fixing such problems and in the end any information you obtain will further enrich the restoration experience."  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

Thanks for the great and detailed info. My Marti report says Special Paint # unknown, 712006 Los Angles Ordering District Under Special Order #2006. DSO #: 0309.
The door Plate does not have a color listed. The car was Orange when I bought it and during tear down it was easy to determine it was orange from the factory. I am not trying to prove the car is something it was not, ie a factory lightweight. But it would be ashame to restore it to near original if it has had a race history. I am near the point of deciding which way to go. I have gone back to the 1989 owner and he is working his sources in California where he bought it.

Again thanks for the help.
rb  

1968 - 1969 Rainbow of Colors West Coast Promotional Mustangs

I noticed that the color you mentioned Calypso Coral, is not a 1968 color. It made me wonder about something I read a while back: 1968 - 1969 Rainbow of Colors West Coast Promotional Mustangs.

http://mustangattitude.com/68rainbowofcolors.shtml

Perhaps your color is actually Madagascar Orange or Caribbean Coral. The above website has more information and perhaps you have already researched it. I think the key is to decode the special order code, otherwise your Mustang is a perfect fit.

"We've been working hard trying to figure out more information on the Mustang sales promotion that ran between 1968 and 1969 on the west coast called the Rainbow of Colors which allowed new Mustang owners to order a car in one of 13 special factory of colors which represented the colors in the rainbow. Some of these colors were Madagascar Orange, Whipped Cream, Spanish Gold, Dandelion Yellow, Hot Pink, Caribbean Coral, Forest Green, Sierra Blue, and Moss Green. We've found owners of several cars and have been looking up paint codes to find out more. So here is a summary of what we have found so far.

All Rainbow of Colors promotional Mustangs were special order built in the San Jose plant, and to this date we have only found one's ordered in the Los Angeles and San Jose areas although they are rumored to be also ordered in the Seattle area. So look for Vehicle Identification numbers staring with 8R or 9R with a door data tag DSO code of 71 for Los Angeles or 72 for San Jose and a four digit special order number following. So far we have confirmed 72 1187 ordered in Los Angeles as a shipment of dealer Rainbow of Colors promotional Mustangs and 71 0783 ordered in San Jose.

The mysterious 13 colors



The special color information from a Ditzler 1969 Supplemental Bulletin indicates 13 colors for the 1969 Special Mustang Rainbow Colors, but the bulletin ends with the words (OVER)... Does this mean that there might be more colors? Probably not, since the Ford internal color code (WT. No.) is increasing and ends in 9036.

Caribbean Coral was found when we contacted John in Michigan about his 1968 Eastertime Coral April Color of the Month Promotional Mustang that he was selling on eBay. Eastertime Coral shares WT9012 with Caribbean Coral so now we have a match and a great example of what a Caribbean Coral 1968 Mustang would look like. It is interesting that the Ditzler Supplemental Bulletin calls WT9012 generically as maroon.

Madagascar Orange was probably more popular. We got wonderful examples from Karen Rose of North Carolina and Dale Olson of California. Karen has also done some extensive research and she published the list of the nine colors she knew of and what she thought they were. There are also other Madagascar Orange Mustangs out there.

Just a thought.....  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

Mustang Special Order Paint Registry  
Address: 6113 S Cherry Ct
Littleton, CO 80121 - map it
Phone: 720-489-1504
Website: Go to Mustang Special Order Paint Registry's website
Year: Between 1964 and 1973  
Make: Ford  
Model: Mustang  
Type: Independent  
Members: 300  
Dues: None  
Publications: Quarterly  
Description: Interest in first generation Mustang History, especially dealing with special order paint Mustangs. Publishes Horse of a Different Color for $9/4 issues. Dedicated to the special order paint Mustang, featured color information, interviews with former FoMo  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

FOULGER FORD

Foulger Ford was on Huntington Drive in Monrovia, California. Foulger moved to Arcadia, CA in the 1980's and has since closed. Foulger sponsored several drag cars in the 1960's.


 
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

I just had a phone call from the owner prior to me. He found the car for sale outside of the auto shop at Moutclair High School, Monclair, CA. He bought it in 1979 or 80 with a 351W installed, he noted that it had been wrecked prior to his purchase and the car was "Ford Orange" then, he had a new windsheild installed and found the orange under the seal. This is a great stroke of luck, finding this info. It was within 25 miles of Foulger Ford and less than 5 miles from Pomona 11 years after being purchased new. The car is as rust free as I have ever seen, I've owned 5 other 65-70 Mustangs. I'll keep searching. Thanks all y'all.

rb, Retired Ford Product Developement 1966-2002  

I think you are missing the point but whatever.....although I am curious how one can discern with the naked eye the various variants and hues of "orange" and rule all other options off of the table. The answer is in your special order paint code and lack of color code in your door tag.

Do you have your "Emminger" report from Marti Auto Works? It is like the factory order form on how to build and outfit your car....with how much everything cost, paint color codes, gasoline added, and final destination. Kevin charges $60 for these and proof of ownership has to be provided. This is a much better tool than the Marti report that he puts together because it is the actual document used to build the car on the assembly line....not a copy.

Do you have this document? I am curious.  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

Some of the info from my "Emminger" Report:

My 1970 standard Cougar (11 February 1970)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cougar 2dr hardtop $2536.00 (Suggested Retail: $3114.00)

****Dealer Cost (Price) immediately follows the option
****Suggested Retail Price follows immediately the Dealer Cost in BOLD

includes at no extra cost:
351-2v v8 engine nc
hi-back bucket seats nc
concealed dual headlamps nc
sequential turn signals nc
2-spoke color-keyed steering wheel nc
flo-thru ventilation system nc
dark ivy green metallic

green vinyl roof $70.70 $89.40
select-shift transmission (FMX) $170.90 $206.10
wsw e78x14 w/t tires $23.57 $29.80
power windows $82.99 $104.90
sports console $45.09 $57.10
power steering $82.99 $104.90
rear window defogger $20.49 $25.90
whisper-aire conditioner $297.14 $375.90
am radio $48.16 $60.90
tinted glass-complete $25.62 $32.40
remote control l/h mirror $8.20 $10.40
total options $875.85 $1097.50

schedule a (memo) $227.60
schedule b $87.00
4 gallons gas $1.33
dealer adv fund $30.00

Total for vehicle and dealer charges $3530.18

Suggested Retail price: $4298.50



date shipped feb. 11, 1970.

Sold To:

MILES LINCOLN MERCURY 15E191
626 RIDGE ROAD
LYNDHURST, NJ 07071  
Member of COUGAR CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND (#25) www.necougarclub.com
Member of DODGE TRUCK WORLD (Maine Chapter) http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....ry.asp?id=4871

2006 Ford Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar (19,300 miles )
2003 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quadcab
1994 S-10 Blazer Tahoe
1968 Mercury Cougar DGS (Parting Out)

Retired Navy (Submarine Service) E-7 MMC(SS)
USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 (B)
USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN-730 (B)
USS Gurnard SSN-662

Shipfitter @ Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Building Aegis class destroye

I have a Marti as stated before and it shows "unkown color". I have had a color match from a PPG dealer. I am sure of the color but will follow up on suggested research. My main concern is trying document the ownership and possible race history of this car. It spent most of it's early life within a few miles of Pomona Fairgrounds. It appears to be a former race car, thus my interest in restoring it stock versus race. Only 171 CJ's were built at San Jose.

Thanks, RB

rb  

Just received an email reply from Kevin Marti, sorry to say they could not provide any paint info on my CJ. My Marti was 9 years old, so I was hoping!

RB