Odometer Roll Back?
Should one after installing new nos. motor, roll back odometer to zero or leave alone, does this help when selling the car or what is standard procedure, and can this be done without taking unit out from dash? 58 car. Thanks Brad.
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
Unless you have documentation to the car, that the mileage is original. I really don't think it makes much difference. As far as value, I would be looking at the condition of the car as a buyer and the mileage, UNLESS it had documentation to it's mileage. But, now that it has a replacement motor, again I would be looking at condition. I would leave the odometer alone. JMHO -
Re: Odometer Roll Back?
I wouldn't roll it back if it were me, either. It's cool to know the original mileage the car has traveled (even if it's not perfectly accurate), even on a totally rebuilt car. Also, don't some older odometers have a telltale white line that appears when they're rolled back, that was intended to prevent fraud? If so, I'd rather not see that, and future owners probably won't either. JMHO, too.
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
I doubt there would be a line thru the odometer since these were mechanical units. I would be careful about turning back an odometer. It could be illegal and it may prsent a problem for the next person to register a car with an odometer reading that is less than what is shown on the bill of sale.Comment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
Never mind the fact that people are suspicious of "0" mile cars, it is illegal in most states and a felony in some. Here they are really stepping up the enforcement.
Unless it is a complete restoration, I wouldn't try it.
HaNDComment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
One sees quite a few restored, vintage Corvettes, as well as other restored muscle cars on popular auction sites such as eBay with odometers rolled back to 0, but for the life of me, I've never understood the logic.
Why wouldn't the owner simply document the mileage shown at the completion of the restoration, and pass that info along to any possible future buyer? If anyone viewing this thread knows of a good, valid reason to roll the odometer back to 0, please....pass it on.
How about the NCRS members who own total restoration service shops, out there? Could you share the logic?Good carburetion is fuelish hot air . . .Comment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
I agree with you, Ridge.
Makes no sense to me to "roll back" the odometer. Simply document that at "XXXX" miles, the engine was rebuilt, or the car was frame off restored, etc.
In Maryland, the odometer reading is recorded on the title to the vehicle when you buy it.
Chuck1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot RodComment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
This is what I was talking about, taken from iowalegalaid.org:
"In older cars you may be able to detect odometer fraud by seeing if the odometer has white lines between the numbers or the numbers don't line up with each other."
I can't remember where I saw the original article, but it had pictures showing the white lines between the ROWS of numbers, not each number. In other words, the edge of the number tumblers show a white line when rolled back.Comment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
I think CarFax goes back to about 1973 approx. So the older cars could skate without detection. Forget the DMV. If the car has been in the hands of one owner for 20 plus years, NADA. I pickled my car for 18 yrs and when I registered it, no one had a clue. I left it original with high miles and many memories, dumb, maybe but I am not about flipping it for a profit.
No judgements, just me.Comment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
It just seems wrong to me to roll it back. I am doing a complete rebuild on my 69 and I left the odometer on 55 K. I am documenting the rebuild at that mileage. Future owners will have all the documentation and they can do the math.
JoeComment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
Odometer fraud is a federal felony.
There was a period of time that odometers had a device that would dye the numbers if they were tampered with. Beginning somewhere in the '80's I believeDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
Dick,
I think it’s only fraud if you represent the car as actual mileage. Signing a mileage discloser with inaccurate mileage would be where the fraud (and felony) would occur. Kind of a double edge sword. Proof the mileage is Blank + what is shown would throw up a flag for me!
It is illegal for my shop to change the odometer on a unit being serviced, however if the customer wish’s to change it there is nothing we can do about it. We now we take a quick picture of the mileage on speedometers sent to us just for our documentation. They go out with what they came in with.
The tamper plates were installed in later model cars and they were made from plastic designed to break if the wheels were moved backwards. The only problem with this is you have to have the speedo in your hand to know of the temper plate is broken. I don’t recall GM using a device that would dye the numbers, but maybe this was something used on another brand or an odometer later than 1982.
Brad:
The speedometer will have to come out of the car should you decide to roll this back.
ErnieComment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
If the title reads unknown and you set it to 0 and you have no idea of the mileage it may be illegal but driving over the posted speed limit is also and over 100MPH is a feloney in many states. Lots of Corvette owners speed daily. I have looked at lots of old Corvettes and bought them with never even looking at the speedo. If you buy old Corvettes by the information on the speedo you have way too much money and no common sense.
When you sign a title to sell an old Corvette and say the milage is original their is proof that can be used in court against you. Catching you setting the odometer back on the kitchen table is rarer than hitting the lottery for 20 mill and being strck by lightning and killed on your way in to clam the prize. Their is a place on titles to say new or rebuilt speedo installed milage unknown. Check that box and do whatever you want. Their will be no crime.Lyle
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
Many states don't record odometer readings on older cars. In Washington, the title for cars that are over 10 years old will show all zeros in the mileage box. When licensing newer cars, you have to sign an odometer statement.Comment
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Re: Odometer Roll Back?
I chose to set mine at 0 when it was rebuilt. I don't plan on selling the car, it goes to my son when I kick the bucket. I pondered this, as the rebuilder gave me the choice, I went with 0 because I thought it would be fun to have a fresh start on a complete rebuild... You won't find me listing it for sale as the "Lowest mileage '55 known."
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