Larry:
My last Texas experience was with a 69 chevelle convert. Car belonged to Bill Pritchard who tried to do some owner history research as well...
This particular car came out of CA. I requested owner reg info (same process as listed above) but the car only entered into the DMV there in the ealry 80s..it was title transferred in from Texas.
Well, my better half is from San Antonio, TX. When we were there visiting family, I took the title and what not into the local DMV (in Alamo Heights - just outside San Antonio) and gave the clerk my info and request. Cost me something nominal...she took my request - rapped a few times on the computer and generated a list for me...car was owned originally from a guy in Messquite Texas (not sure on the spelling). BUT, only thing I got was address and name..tried called and of course, my luck would have it, guy no longer resided there....
That's my TX DMV experience in a nut shell. Now, with the Patriot Act and all other post 911 information policy modifications I'm not sure if there has been changes (Pause about an hour.......) to aquiring such data
Why the hour delay - no crap..
JUST got off the phone with original owner...NO S%$T!
Off the DMV report I cold called (using 411 for info)a few numbers and actually left a msg with his sister-in-law (not knowing it off course). She called him and passed my number....
After an hour on the phone....man - DO THESE CARS HAVE SOME HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!