determining originality of vehicle, how? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 09-24-2003, 10:42 AM

OK, I have not yet purchased any books or literature abotu these chevy trucks. The LMC catalogue gives some good info in the first few pages on how to determine options and what not, but I am trying to figure out some facts about the originality of my 71.

How do I get that info? Any hints? After finding the build sheet, I am more curious than ever. I am also curious because the truck is in such good shape, really.

I was thinking the seat cover may have been re-done since 1971, but maybe it hasn't. I wasn't sure if the 88K miles were 188K or 288K, but maybe they are simply 88K. I don't know.

What I do know is that the owner from 71 to (roughly) 98 was a disciplined old military guy who took care of this vehicle. I found some original paperwork from the sale and other Chevy items in the glovebox...

Pretty cool stuff indeed.

**CPNE** · 09-24-2003, 10:48 AM

Best way IMO is to take pics and give descriptions of what you are curious about. There are more than a few people on this site that have had experience with many different trucks and can help you emmensely. Even if it's not right, you'll always get an answer!

*dtlilly* · 09-24-2003, 11:34 AM

CPNE is right. Go to GMCPauls web site, he has vin decoder. Post pics and ask questions.

sactoC10 · 09-24-2003, 12:50 PM

alrighty then...pics to come in the next week or so

Hooter · 09-24-2003, 01:05 PM

does it still have the options sticker in the glovebox?

sactoC10 · 09-24-2003, 04:10 PM

Yes, the options sticker is still in the glove box, the plate is still in the driver's side lower door jam and I found the build sheet. Those things, along with the paperwork I've found and it's excellent condition, help make me think this truck has never seen the 100K mark in its lifetime.

Hmmm...

**raggedjim** · 09-24-2003, 04:42 PM

I did a title search on mine and found out all the previous owners all the way to the dealership! Bad news was it had 15 owners including me, good news it was well taken care of by all. I've talked to most of them and they all wish they had it back (except the kid I bought it from, he's a ricerboy...)

sameyrasmea72 · 09-24-2003, 04:57 PM

A couple ways that might help on the mileage is to take a close look at the break pedal and the steering wheel. A low mileage truck will still have the stainless trim in desent shape. All will have some wear and most are will even be worn through the trim down to the rubber. Of coarse you cant be sure it hasn't been replaced, but an original pedal with 288k on it would be about 1/2 there.

On the wheel, unless he had a cover, fron about 10 o'clock to 2, if there is much roughness at all left there, that might be an indication of a low mileage truck. Not proof positive, but a good starting point on you search for that low mileage truck.

woodrow59 · 09-24-2003, 06:20 PM

raggedjim ,,,,,,, where did you do a title search??? I tried Carfax and it wouldn't let me do it on my '68.

I know it was built in Canada and was sold new in Niagra Falls, NY ,,,,,,,,,,,, I wanta know how in the he** in got to Georgia !!!!

**CPNE** · 09-24-2003, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woodrow59
I know it was built in Canada and was sold new in Niagra Falls, NY ,,,,,,,,,,,, I wanta know how in the he** in got to Georgia !!!!

Took the midnight train?

sactoC10 · 09-24-2003, 10:13 PM

Yeah, title search would be great...HOW with a vehicle this age?

Steering wheel was replaced in the last couple of years.

Pedals do not have trim, but show wear to the corners.

No rust to the corners, floors, doors, wheel wells...nowhere. I mean light rust in the engine comaprtment and such, but no "cancer" anywhere.

Longhorn Man · 09-24-2003, 10:55 PM

For security reasons, most states will not tell you the past owners of your vehicle. Just like it is almost impossable to find out the owner's name with a license number. It used to take a trip to the DMV, a couple forms, and a few bucks.
My old blue Longhorn had the original brake pedal trim on it and after 300,000 miles, it was worn razor sharp. I cut my toe on it driving barefoot so i ripped it off.

sameyrasmea72 · 09-25-2003, 12:13 AM

Rust Free!!! Definitely a rare find. Most of these trucks had at least a little rot on the rockers. A+ to find one like yours. The rust situation is not a good indicator of mileage (usually). It could have 27-1000000 miles with or with or without rust.

Andy, I think I would have just gotten stitches instead of ripping it off....jk

Helps me see why some states require shoes to drive.That could be hazardous to the feet much less on coming trafic.

Hey, finally got a smile to work, probably one of the more easy things to do.

Longhorn Man · 09-25-2003, 12:19 AM

LOL! Yeah, i miss that toe...it was one of my favorites!

**raggedjim** · 09-25-2003, 12:30 PM

The truck I have had been licensed in Ky. First I did a Title search in the state of Ky (went to the DMV and filled out paperwork and paid $3.00) When I got it back the names of the previous owners were there on the copies of the previous titles. The earliest paper work showed the truck had come from Tn. So i went to the Tn DMV website and filed for a title search by vin number. (paid $15.00 for this one) and they sent me the copies with the names blacked out with a marker, but I could still read the names! and I had the addresses from the titles.

I had called the Tn DMV and explained why I was doing a title search and didn't have a problem.

Most states have DMV or BMV websites, thats where I started.

Good luck, Rg

09-24-2003, 10:42 AM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	determining originality of vehicle, how? OK, I have not yet purchased any books or literature abotu these chevy trucks. The LMC catalogue gives some good info in the first few pages on how to determine options and what not, but I am trying to figure out some facts about the originality of my 71. How do I get that info? Any hints? After finding the build sheet, I am more curious than ever. I am also curious because the truck is in such good shape, really. I was thinking the seat cover may have been re-done since 1971, but maybe it hasn't. I wasn't sure if the 88K miles were 188K or 288K, but maybe they are simply 88K. I don't know. What I do know is that the owner from 71 to (roughly) 98 was a disciplined old military guy who took care of this vehicle. I found some original paperwork from the sale and other Chevy items in the glovebox... Pretty cool stuff indeed.

09-24-2003, 10:48 AM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Best way IMO is to take pics and give descriptions of what you are curious about. There are more than a few people on this site that have had experience with many different trucks and can help you emmensely. Even if it's not right, you'll always get an answer! __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

09-24-2003, 01:05 PM	#5
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	does it still have the options sticker in the glovebox? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

09-24-2003, 04:42 PM	#7
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,463	I did a title search on mine and found out all the previous owners all the way to the dealership! Bad news was it had 15 owners including me, good news it was well taken care of by all. I've talked to most of them and they all wish they had it back (except the kid I bought it from, he's a ricerboy...) __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

09-24-2003, 04:57 PM	#8
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	A couple ways that might help on the mileage is to take a close look at the break pedal and the steering wheel. A low mileage truck will still have the stainless trim in desent shape. All will have some wear and most are will even be worn through the trim down to the rubber. Of coarse you cant be sure it hasn't been replaced, but an original pedal with 288k on it would be about 1/2 there. On the wheel, unless he had a cover, fron about 10 o'clock to 2, if there is much roughness at all left there, that might be an indication of a low mileage truck. Not proof positive, but a good starting point on you search for that low mileage truck. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd Last edited by sameyrasmea72; 09-24-2003 at 05:10 PM.

09-24-2003, 11:34 AM	#3
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	CPNE is right. Go to GMCPauls web site, he has vin decoder. Post pics and ask questions.

09-24-2003, 12:50 PM	#4
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	alrighty then...pics to come in the next week or so

09-24-2003, 04:10 PM	#6
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Yes, the options sticker is still in the glove box, the plate is still in the driver's side lower door jam and I found the build sheet. Those things, along with the paperwork I've found and it's excellent condition, help make me think this truck has never seen the 100K mark in its lifetime. Hmmm...

09-24-2003, 06:20 PM	#9
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	raggedjim ,,,,,,, where did you do a title search??? I tried Carfax and it wouldn't let me do it on my '68. I know it was built in Canada and was sold new in Niagra Falls, NY ,,,,,,,,,,,, I wanta know how in the he** in got to Georgia !!!! __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

09-24-2003, 10:13 PM	#11
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Yeah, title search would be great...HOW with a vehicle this age? Steering wheel was replaced in the last couple of years. Pedals do not have trim, but show wear to the corners. No rust to the corners, floors, doors, wheel wells...nowhere. I mean light rust in the engine comaprtment and such, but no "cancer" anywhere.

09-24-2003, 10:55 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	For security reasons, most states will not tell you the past owners of your vehicle. Just like it is almost impossable to find out the owner's name with a license number. It used to take a trip to the DMV, a couple forms, and a few bucks. My old blue Longhorn had the original brake pedal trim on it and after 300,000 miles, it was worn razor sharp. I cut my toe on it driving barefoot so i ripped it off.

09-25-2003, 12:13 AM	#13
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Rust Free!!! Definitely a rare find. Most of these trucks had at least a little rot on the rockers. A+ to find one like yours. The rust situation is not a good indicator of mileage (usually). It could have 27-1000000 miles with or with or without rust. Andy, I think I would have just gotten stitches instead of ripping it off....jk Helps me see why some states require shoes to drive.That could be hazardous to the feet much less on coming trafic. Hey, finally got a smile to work, probably one of the more easy things to do. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd Last edited by sameyrasmea72; 09-25-2003 at 12:17 AM.

09-25-2003, 12:19 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	LOL! Yeah, i miss that toe...it was one of my favorites!

09-25-2003, 12:30 PM	#15
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,463	The truck I have had been licensed in Ky. First I did a Title search in the state of Ky (went to the DMV and filled out paperwork and paid $3.00) When I got it back the names of the previous owners were there on the copies of the previous titles. The earliest paper work showed the truck had come from Tn. So i went to the Tn DMV website and filed for a title search by vin number. (paid $15.00 for this one) and they sent me the copies with the names blacked out with a marker, but I could still read the names! and I had the addresses from the titles. I had called the Tn DMV and explained why I was doing a title search and didn't have a problem. Most states have DMV or BMV websites, thats where I started. Good luck, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203



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