Tracking down a 1916 Model T

[WarbirdPhotog]

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It didn't even click there's a Model T section on FordBarn, I'm normally in the Early V8 section due to my 1940 Ford. But I've been posting on several forums/Facebook groups as I'm on the hunt for my Grandfather's 1916 Model T Touring Car. Maybe someone will know something here...

Original post: I'm hunting for a 1916 Ford Model T Touring Car that used to be owned by my grandfather, Richard C Dietz. Back in 2012, my grandfather passed away. My grandmother, Peggy Dietz, sold the Model T in a panic shortly after in July of 2012 in Santa Ana, California (92705). It was originally supposed to be handed down to my father.

For the last year, I've been trying to hunt down the Model T with very little information or photos. Unfortunately, my grandmother could not recall any information about the vehicle or who she sold it to, and she had misplaced all the details. Sadly, my grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. But, looking through her items, we discovered a letter she sent to American Collector's Insurance Inc, cancelling the insurance, and she lists the VIN as 6408. At first I thought that was the VIN, but after posting on several groups, we think it might either be:
1) A partial VIN
2) A Horseless Carriage Plate Number
3) A California Assigned Identification Number
4) She was mistaken altogether, and it's nothing.

I realize the current owner might not want to sell it, but we're trying to find the owner, or even where it might be, and see if they'd be up for parting with it. I've reached out to a few different Model T clubs in Southern California, as the Model T was originally based in Santa Ana, CA, where my grandparents lived, and that's where it was sold. It's a bit of a needle in a haystack.

I remember riding in it when I was young; it was all black with two rows of seats and no top installed. My grandfather had the top for it, but never put it on. Any help you guys might have to help us track this special Model T down and see if the owner is willing to sell it would be greatly appreciated!

Family Photo from decades ago:

Larger Image: CLICK HERE

Updates since I originally started posting about this Model T: Since I originally posted this, the Model T Ford Club of America has been the most helpful.
- There are some key features they say about this Model T that make it unusual, like having nine louvers on the hood, four doors, a large drum 26-7 rear axle, and possibly a double front wishbone. That being said, since it was sold 13 years ago, it's possible the Model T has been modified. So that makes things more difficult.
- My Grandfather was a part of the Orange County Model T Club (he's listed in the 2005 directory, but there's no info, and the image has the plates blurred - See photo below)
- CHP has not replied to any requests. The insurance company that my grandmother wrote the letter for (American Classic Insurance) got back to me that they have no records pre-2019, when they switched carriers.
- There's a chance that the Model T could have been exported from the USA, and could be overseas somewhere, as a lot of them are being exported. That could be, but it could also still be in Southern California.
- DMV paperwork is being filled out to send it, but I'm not too hopeful, as there are a lot of variables. I'm not trying to find the current owner, but see if we can get some confirmations of what the 6408 number is, if it's still registered in California, and what the plate number is if it's not 6408. It's tough because it was sold in 2012, and there are a lot of privacy laws now with the DMV. I do have the death certificates for both grandparents.

My Grandfather in the 2005 member directory book of the OC Model T Club: