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Looking for owner history on my '72 U code Supreme. Original purchase date was June 29, 1972 from Mccaddon Oldsmobile in Boulder, and Lawrence P. Johnson was the guy who bought it at that time. VIN is 3J57******877, and it still wears the original color of Cameo White with a green vinyl top and green interior. I placed an ad with the Boulder newspaper but came up empty. I also tried running a title search with the Colorado DMV, but due to legal issues, they can't release any information. If any of you members in the Boulder area could put the word out, or have any ideas where I could go from here, I'd greatly appreciate it!😀
While Lawrence Johnson is probably not the most unusual name out there, the fact that you have a middle initial should help. Have you tried any kind of public records search in the Boulder area for someone of that name? You're probably looking for someone no younger than in his 70s, so any 20-year-olds that turn up aren't likely to be your man. Depending on how badly you want to know and how much you're willing to spend, you can always hire a private detective. He'd probably have the information about whatever became of Mr. Johnson inside of 24 hours.
I've often wondered about the utility of placing a classified ad. After all, how likely is the person, if he is still alive and living in the area, to be looking in the classifieds at all? The ad could be there, and he'd never notice it.
While Lawrence Johnson is probably not the most unusual name out there, the fact that you have a middle initial should help. Have you tried any kind of public records search in the Boulder area for someone of that name? You're probably looking for someone no younger than in his 70s, so any 20-year-olds that turn up aren't likely to be your man. Depending on how badly you want to know and how much you're willing to spend, you can always hire a private detective. He'd probably have the information about whatever became of Mr. Johnson inside of 24 hours.
I've often wondered about the utility of placing a classified ad. After all, how likely is the person, if he is still alive and living in the area, to be looking in the classifieds at all? The ad could be there, and he'd never notice it.
I really didn't expect to hear from Mr Johnson so much as maybe someone who would remember him or the car. As far as a private detective, I'm not ready to lay down that kind of money....money that could be better spent on projects if you catch my drift😀
While Lawrence Johnson is probably not the most unusual name out there, the fact that you have a middle initial should help. Have you tried any kind of public records search in the Boulder area for someone of that name? You're probably looking for someone no younger than in his 70s, so any 20-year-olds that turn up aren't likely to be your man. Depending on how badly you want to know and how much you're willing to spend, you can always hire a private detective. He'd probably have the information about whatever became of Mr. Johnson inside of 24 hours.
I've often wondered about the utility of placing a classified ad. After all, how likely is the person, if he is still alive and living in the area, to be looking in the classifieds at all? The ad could be there, and he'd never notice it.
I agree with jaunky75 on this one.
Although I would add maybe good to check obituaries and gravestones too.
I wanted to know about a car I own that I knew came from Manhattan, Kansas. I did a craigslist ad in that area stating all that I knew about the car. No big surprise I didn't get one call.
My thinking was, maybe some car person, or a person looking for a car, would happen to see it and say gee, I remember that car. Long shot I know, but at the time craigslist was free.
I am a Denver-ish native. Olds fan from day one. I definitely would have remembered that car. I have never seen it before that I remember. Is that a custom steel hood or fiberglass?
I am a Denver-ish native. Olds fan from day one. I definitely would have remembered that car. I have never seen it before that I remember. Is that a custom steel hood or fiberglass?
That hood was the original that a previous owner had cut holes in and installed the twin scoops. I have since replaced the hood with a twin stripe upgrade.
As far its origin, I have the original warranty card with the name of the original owner. The car was first delivered to Mccaddon Oldsmobile in Boulder.
Maybe you could ask around?
That hood was the original that a previous owner had cut holes in and installed the twin scoops. I have since replaced the hood with a twin stripe upgrade.
As far its origin, I have the original warranty card with the name of the original owner. The car was first delivered to Mccaddon Oldsmobile in Boulder.
Maybe you could ask around?
I had plenty of Oldsmobile friends. Even Supreme enthusiasts. I had a 70 SX myself. Guarantee if that car was around back in day we would have known it. Maybe it didn't spend all it's years out here in Colorado.
I had plenty of Oldsmobile friends. Even Supreme enthusiasts. I had a 70 SX myself. Guarantee if that car was around back in day we would have known it. Maybe it didn't spend all it's years out here in Colorado.
You may be right. From the research I've done, it made its way to here in Virginia in 1990 based on the title history, and since then, this is where it's been. Prior to 1990, the trail goes cold, other than its original purchase date of June 29, 1972 when Mr. Johnson became the first owner. Unfortunately, he has since passed. I was able to contact both his adopted son (only child) and his daughter in law, but neither of them remember the car.
I found this dealership in Boulder. It has to be the same family. Maybe they have service records or traded the car in when the first owner gave it up? Probably a long shot but the company I work for has a subsidiary with paper records back to 1910 in storage. Maybe one of the original owner’s descendants works there and possibly remembers the car. Who knows.
It is the same family and thanks for the info. I reached out to them shortly after I bought my Supreme, and initially the guy said he would see what he could do and get back to me. I gave it some time and followed up, but as I recall, he was too hard to get in touch with. Maybe I'll give it another shot.
Trying to find stuff like this in these days can be very tough. People have passed. People have moved.
That car being from Boulder Colorado could have very well been a student car. That's what Boulder Colorado is. College Town. CU aka Colorado University. Boulder used to be such a cool town. Super cool spot. Then all the hippies got old and ****. You can't even have an incandescent light bulb without getting a fine. Trucks are only allowed on the streets before sunrise. I had so many good times in Boulder. Not anymore. Those early partyers are cranky and in charge now.
I have asked all my Oldsmobile friends from way back then. None of us remember that car. Boulder has always been it's own identity. I cruised the streets and the street races all day every day. Of course that was Denver not Boulder. Maybe someone from Longmont Colorado would know more. Longmont Colorado had deep car roots. Deep. I would have remembered your car. I Love white cars. I owned a 71 Supreme that was white paint. No top. White interior with a power bench seat. I absolutely Love the 70-72 Supreme. I owned four. I want another one. I will keep my ears open at car shows etc for you.
Yeah, I've kinda looked to find the history of my 1972 442 from the time before when my brother bought it in Houston, Texas in the 1980's. It was built in Arlington, Texas and was in/near Houston when he bought it. I bought it in 1997. I have the auto trading paper ad from back then and get nothing from dialing the phone number. My car was drag raced by the original owner and I assume it was around Houston. I emailed the Texas Gulf Coast Oldsmobile Club a couple times and no response, and I even inquired about joining the club since the car was from that region. I was hoping to get some history from a member who might remember a Viking Blue 1972 442 running at a local dragstrip back in the day! No replies, no response ......just crickets chirping! You might want to get in touch with a local Denver/Boulder area OCA Chapter....it's a long shot but who knows what might jog someone's memory.
BTW, I was familiar with a W31 owned by a member here who was wanting its history. We were 99% sure from its history that it was the same car I knew of back in the day! Any rate, I contacted a guy I knew who lived in the specific area where it ran back then. I asked him to contact any people he knew who could give info about an early owner. It took a few months, but he got ahold of someone who knew the car and the earlier owner. By the time I got that info, the member had sold the car to another member. After 50 years, connections and memories get fuzzy. People are old and don't live or maybe not nearby! The person I got the info from was mid 70's and had health issues with a recent "out-of-body experience" so it was lucky to even get what info I got. So....time is not on our side at this point!
So, good luck with your search. At least you have the warranty card with the original owner's name. My owner's manual has nothing in it to give any history prior to my brother buying the car. Good luck!
Last edited by OLE442; Aug 25, 2023 at 05:10 AM.
Reason: added text
Number 1, you seem very familiar with Colorado. And know olds people from there back in the day. I Google searched my vin number and found that it's a Colorado car. Actually abandoned in Powers parking and storage prior to 1989 and title was acquired by the garage in Colorado Springs Gazette. Cameo white s convertible 4 speed ring any bells?
Number 1, you seem very familiar with Colorado. And know olds people from there back in the day. I Google searched my vin number and found that it's a Colorado car. Actually abandoned in Powers parking and storage prior to 1989 and title was acquired by the garage in Colorado Springs Gazette. Cameo white s convertible 4 speed ring any bells?
No not really. What year ? Colorado Springs is not exactly a suburb of Denver. It is 70 miles south of Denver.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Aug 25, 2023 at 11:55 AM.
After nearly five years, it's time to get more serious or give it up. I'd hire, or at least talk to, a private detective. They might laugh at you, and they might cost an arm and a leg if you can find one to take the case, but how badly do you want to know?
