Dr Mini  most states have a form for search for Archives . cost is usually $10.. I will send you one for Tenn..

Hey, Hugh, in California it used to be that the records were open, but you had to go in and look through books.  That was a long time ago.  I'm not sure if you can search, anymore.  Privacy concerns, and all...

Bump

How does one access these State websites that archive VIN's? I'd love to trace back a few cars I've sold over the years.

my experience is that vin numbers are archived in state specific databases and not in a national database. 

you will have to check each state. 

Thanks for the reply. Spoke to my old man about it and he can’t remember the guys name he sold it to. This was my last resort. Who knows maybe it’ll show up.

well. you going to need vin number first. then the name the guy your sold the MK1 Cooper S to on the west coast. and the buyers name.. then you can look it up in archives in Any state.. 

Hey guys, I’m searching for my dads old mini. It’s a MK1 Cooper S. LHD red with a black roof, flares, air dam, red Dunlop d1 wheels, custom dash, 1275 with a 45 Weber and box cutout, white engine bay. Not sure of the vin number. The car came from Long Island and was supposedly sold to someone on the west coast in the early 90s. Any info on this cars whereabouts would be greatly appreciated! Not sure if the pics show up as I’m uploading from an iPhone, but can provide them if needed.