The topic of orginal, restored and matching numbers got me thinking. What about orignal miles? We always see these cars advertised with "original miles" for example 55,863 original miles. How do we know if that is true when the odometers only go to 99999? Now I would be the first to agree that the cars built back then probably didn't make it past 100,000 miles before rusting out or wrecked. But depending on your location could they have? Without some kind of documetation how do you know whats original and what's BS?

For what it's worth, many states have titles which list the mileage up to 99,999. Beyond that they list "in excess of mechanical limits". So the thought is if the title shows a number less than 99,999 it is probably original mileage.

Of course a lot of titles don't include this information any more and who knows what information has been fudged over the years. A truly low mileage car that hasn't been restored is fairly easy to recognize for what it is, a lot of it is common sense and a fair amount of assuming it is or isn't what it is claimed to be. If the car has been restored or altered quite a bit or both, all bets are off.

There is really no way to know for sure.

I think that back before they started TRYING to control true odometer readings, we were driving cars that had been past 100,000 once or twice and didn't even know it.
In Kansas, anything over 10 years old is exempt from mileage record keeping.

Another thing worth mentioning, is that it was a very common practice back in the 60's-70's to unhook the speedo to keep the mileage down. Unlike the cars today, it was easy to do, just unhook it and then hook it back up when it was time to go in for repair or inspection. My Dad and many of his buddies did this, and I duck my head in shame as I admit it was a practice passed on to me. I remember more often than not, we had no idea how fast we were going. :cool:

Iv always looked for wear on the brake pedal.Easy to replace but often overlooked.

Another thing worth mentioning, is that it was a very common practice back in the 60's-70's to unhook the speedo to keep the mileage down. Unlike the cars today, it was easy to do, just unhook it and then hook it back up when it was time to go in for repair or inspection. My Dad and many of his buddies did this, and I duck my head in shame as I admit it was a practice passed on to me. I remember more often than not, we had no idea how fast we were going. :cool:

I did this with my 86 Cutlass for over a year. I just read the tach to know how fast I was going :).
Another thing to bear in mind...especially with restored cars are ones that have been rolled back to 00000.0. I rolled both my 70 and the 69 Charger back to 00000.0 when I restored them. I figured a fresh start for a fresh car. My 69 Malibu, I left alone.

ones that have been rolled back to 00000.0..


My old convert:

I reset it to 0 miles when I restored it. I wasn't fooling anyone as the car was not a show car and definatly showed its age.

I just did it for my own interest.

Lots of "tells" for a car over 100,000 miles. Specifically look for wear on moving parts.

I always looked at mileage on Classic vehicles as irrelivant.

Condition is the only thing that matters really.

You can have a 10,000 mile original car that is rotted out with the floors falling out.

Low miles on cars is a valuable guage only on newer cars really, only to predict normal wear and tear of consumable items and knowing that tires and brakes typically wear out in 30,000 to 40,000, etc.

30,000 original miles on a 40 year old car offers you nothing more than bragging rights really other than an increased possibility of maintaining a higher percentage of original parts due to replacement caused by wear and tear.

Condition and originality is really the only thing that matters.

Typically, Low original mileage on anything other than rare, Survivor grade, benchmark cars, could almost be percieved as a negative due to the potential for large amounts of restoration or repair that could be needed in order to drive and enjoy the car.

40 year old cars with extremely low mileage means the car has had extensive time sitting, possibly decades, which in reality can be rougher on a car than higher miles with proper care and maintenance.

I just follow the dates and miles on my service reciepts from Feb 66 to 1985 when the car was parked. They also tell me things like the starter was replaced in 68 the water pump in 71 , etc etc... all cool stuff :cool: :thumbsup:

There is really no way to know for sure.

I think that back before they started TRYING to control true odometer readings, we were driving cars that had been past 100,000 once or twice and didn't even know it.
In Kansas, anything over 10 years old is exempt from mileage record keeping.

A lot of states have "mileage exemptions" now on older cars because it is almost impossible to verify.

I have examined many so called low mileage cars, only to find out that it couldnt be proven, and certainly didnt look like a well maintained low mileage vehicle. A title showing low mileage is not proof. I think that most of the points made here have covered most of the facts. However, a low mileage, true, unrestored survivor with documentation proving actual low mileage (dated repair shop receipts,oil change decals on doors, or any other documents, or receipt showing an actual trail of dates, and mileage),adds more value to the vehicle,particularly if it is a desirable model. Additionaly, a low mileage car is only valuable if it has been stored, and is in good, or survivor condition.

I worked at a used car lot in the 70s and we turned speedo s back all the time. All the car lots did it. Also changed the petal pads. There was no federal law until mid 70s I think. gary

I always looked at mileage on Classic vehicles as irrelivant.

Condition is the only thing that matters really.

You can have a 10,000 mile original car that is rotted out with the floors falling out.

Low miles on cars is a valuable guage only on newer cars really, only to predict normal wear and tear of consumable items and knowing that tires and brakes typically wear out in 30,000 to 40,000, etc.

30,000 original miles on a 40 year old car offers you nothing more than bragging rights really other than an increased possibility of maintaining a higher percentage of original parts due to replacement caused by wear and tear.

Condition and originality is really the only thing that matters.

Typically, Low original mileage on anything other than rare, Survivor grade, benchmark cars, could almost be percieved as a negative due to the potential for large amounts of restoration or repair that could be needed in order to drive and enjoy the car.

40 year old cars with extremely low mileage means the car has had extensive time sitting, possibly decades, which in reality can be rougher on a car than higher miles with proper care and maintenance.

That about sums it all up John, good post!:thumbsup:

I always looked at mileage on Classic vehicles as irrelivant.

Condition is the only thing that matters really.

You can have a 10,000 mile original car that is rotted out with the floors falling out.

Low miles on cars is a valuable guage only on newer cars really, only to predict normal wear and tear of consumable items and knowing that tires and brakes typically wear out in 30,000 to 40,000, etc.

30,000 original miles on a 40 year old car offers you nothing more than bragging rights really other than an increased possibility of maintaining a higher percentage of original parts due to replacement caused by wear and tear.

Condition and originality is really the only thing that matters.

Typically, Low original mileage on anything other than rare, Survivor grade, benchmark cars, could almost be percieved as a negative due to the potential for large amounts of restoration or repair that could be needed in order to drive and enjoy the car.

40 year old cars with extremely low mileage means the car has had extensive time sitting, possibly decades, which in reality can be rougher on a car than higher miles with proper care and maintenance.
I agree :yes:
I worked at a used car lot in the 70s and we turned speedo s back all the time. All the car lots did it. Also changed the petal pads. There was no federal law until mid 70s I think. gary
My best friend's brother-in-law was the first person to ever go to prison for setting odometers back.
He made a very good living going around to all the used car lots and doing it.

Why do we use the term original miles? Since there are no repro, NOS, or aftermarket miles. The correct term is actual miles.