Willys Vin Database?

Is there a database anywhere out there that might tell me where my '61 Willys Wagon was originally sold or registered in the past? Since it doesn't have a "modern" VIN, I can't find much. I live in Maine, but my Wagon has a sticker on the door from Bill Wood Chevron in Rancho Cordova, California. And it has remnants of markings like it may have been from a fire department or such (round stickers on doors, numbers on front edge of fender).

Any leads would be appreciated!

 

I know of no such way of searching titles.
I too have a wagon that has been around, starting in Tacoma, Wa, then to Albuquerque, NM, then to south Florida. I only know this from the hand-painted "Tacoma Webfooters" logo on the hood, and the title/registration of the guy in NM that I bought it from. Some states used to list the previous owner, but that only went back that far.
My CJ5 has several offroad stickers and equipment manufacturer sticker local to southern California, and the word from the guy I bought that from saying the previous owner brought it to Florida from California.
I don't think there is a way to trace the history of ownership.
Good Luck -Donny

 

Ownership may be traced at your states DMV/MVD/DOR as far back as it was titled or registered in that state. Title histories will go back as far as the agency keeps records. With the enormous amounts of scanned records, many states cut that off at a designated number of years since it was last titled or registered in that state.
So it all depends how many times it has changed owners in the last X years in your state and then how many years the previous state keeps their records.
When you get a title history it usually contains images of the previous titles and associated title applications. If you are fortunate enough to see the previous out of state title then you go to that state for more records. In most cases you may go back some years but I would guess it would be unlikely to make it back as far as the original owner.
A NMVTIS report may go back a few years but would not contain owner information. TitleCheck.us It's a few bucks but may be the best place to start. (That is also a great place to check if you are buying a used car to make sure what you are buying has a valid title.)
Since owner information is subject to privacy laws you would have to disclose the purpose of your request on your states title history application. The form usually gives you boxes to check so you can indicate the reason.

I know...TMI...

 

Thanks for the input. I'll keep digging and see what turns up.