Thanks for the replies people!
I
think that obtaining info via the DVLA is no longer doable unless you have a legitimate excuse, for date protections reasons. The days of writing a letter and discovering Elvis Presley used to own your Cadillac etc are nearly gone. Looking at other classic car forums that seems to be the case, anyway. What a 'legitimate' reason is, I don't know.
That all said, however, I am not really looking for a personal owner (though that would be nice) but just the original retailer. Which
surely can't really contravene any data laws - but the DVLA wouldn't hold that info, only registered keepers.
I have one document - the 12 month annual inspection (circa 1997), which the Dealer has thoughtfully not bothered to stamp in the space provided!
SO... Bit of progress - I have found a 1994 copy of the Dealership Guide - a list of all UK Vx Garages. There are 5 in Brum... only TWO of which are marked as Fleet Garages (she was a Company Car) and one Company bought all the Vx Franchises for Birmingham in 2002. That company are still going - Lookers Group. SO if they didnt sell her, they bought the garage that
did.
NO idea if theyd hold records, but next thought...
How are numberplates assigned their 'area codes'? OH is Birmingham, as are about a dozen others OV, OM, OA etc - do they work like postcodes, or are they distributed 'evenly' in a given area. So a car
anywhere in Birmingham may get the code OH, or would it have to be from, eg: the NE corner
only.. Anyone have a clue?