Refer to the 1970 LS-6 convertible Sold Barrett-Jackson post

Al provided a link to the Barrett-Jackson Auctions showing a 67 Chevelle. The ad mentioned the odometer was reset to zero when the restoration was complete. What do you guys think about this? Is this aceptable? I am doing a complete frame-of resoration on my 70 SS and had not thought about doing this. How does this "rollback" of the odometer affect the resale value? How about the mileage which is identified on the title? Is it legal to perform? I thought this was NOT to be done even though it is mechanically possible to do. I can understand this situation to some extent and then on the other hand I disagree. Any comments? Has anyone who has performed a complete (or not-so-complete) frame-off restoration done this. Would you admit it?

Everyone's entitled to an opinion, so here's mine: I think it's a big NO-NO for a true number's matching COLLECTABLE car. What's collectable? Rare cars with low miles. Not a 69 Chevelle SS 396/325 with 100,000 miles and no rare options. A 375 HP with a numbers matching drivetrain, YES! In other words, some cars are not, for any reason going to bring more than $20,000. Now back to the SS396 325 hp Chevelle that's been totally restored, and I mean totally, to roll back the odometer is a fine idea. I did this to a true 69 SS 396 car with a 468/700R4 that I did a frame-off on. It truley reflected the car's condition to ME. To someone else? who knows. If you roll back a car that you've just finished, it's a good way to prove how many miles are on the car from a restored state. However, rolling back an odometer will not in any way, shape or form increase the value on ones to car to another potential buyer.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

I'm thinking about doing the roll back thing myself but not to fool anyone. I think it would be a good way to document the miles since restoration. My car is a 70 SS LS5 with all matching drivetrain it also has original power booster, master cylinder, radiator and have also correct date coded intake and exhaust manifolds and alternator. My point is that the car is being restored not restified but I would never roll the speedo to say 20,000 miles and try to claim this as original miles. The odometer shows 81k right now and my title (CA) doesn't reflect the mileage at all. I know some people have a problem with this but it will be pretty obvious to most that any car that shows 0-5000 and is in perfect shape didn't sit in a bubble somewhere for 31 years only to be recently unveiled.

This was done on my car before I bought it. The actual dash assembly was replaced. At time of purchase I verified the mileage on the old odomoter and that is what I used for the safety certificate and declaration to Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

I have no problem with this unless it is done to mislead the actual mileage of the vehicle.



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ACES #4241, TC #947
69 SS Sedan (http://www.angelfire.com/rock/69ss)

I don't have a problem with it, my 66 SS was full frame off and the od. was set back, now showing 10 miles. Not done to fool anyone, and would never even consider trying to do so. Personally, I think if you are going the full resto. route, turn it back....that's what you are really doing...Going back in time!! the title just reflects "not actual mileage."

Mike

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MY 66.COM (http://hometown.aol.com/mysterychevelle/myhomepageauto.html)
ACES # 1493
TEAM # 751
Chevelle-abration Plus Video now available!

My car has been frame off restored.I kept the original odometer reading of 46000 miles.I just wanted to keep it as a memory.I recorded the date it was finished and the mileage at that time,so I can keep track of the miles since restoration as well.I'm not trying to show the car is a survivor or Brand new.Like Don said as long as you will not misrepresent the cars mileage,I see it as OK.

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Rick Peters
NCOA#1670-ACES#175
1970...ON THE MOVE (http://community.webtv.net/rap3/1970ChevelleL78)

it goes back to zero at 100k anyway, i wouldn't hesitate. you could take a picture of the speedo/odometer before you turn it back to show anyone who has a problem w/ it if you decide to sell it. this way there is no argument over the actual miles, just add your new miles to your previous miles.

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Derek Kiefer
ss_chevelle_69@hotmail.com
Derek69SS = AOL instant messenger

69 Chevelle SS 396/325hp 3spd man., 12-bolt 3.31 gears lemans blue, no engine
69 Chevelle Malibu 350/250hp, TH350, 10-bolt 2.56 gears, dark cloisonne met. (purplish blue)
23 Ford Model T runabout, stock 20hp 4cyl (i know it's a ford but it's still fun to drive...slowly)

"If it was really worth doing, i would have already done it"

My .02:
Not for me, no thanks.

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Better Late than Never Fred
Team Chevelle #400
ACES #4055
Denton ...The home of happiness.
1970 Chevelle Malibu (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Riffers70_1)

i'm sure johnny law says it's a no no.
to me either way is fine. as not to decieve.
my 68 shows 85k. in 33 years how many times was it rolled over or rolled back? is it original? i'd love to see the day it rolls past 100k.
atleast the guys putting them to 0 plan to put the back miles on too. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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ss396 & gokart (http://chevelles.com/showroom/2toys.jpg) custom truck (http://chevelles.com/showroom/sig.jpg)

I'm gonna do it on my 66 SS396 full frame off resto! Of course, that is because I am planning to build a custom gauge cluster. I would'nt care to do it if I left the old odeometer in, I'd just leave it, write down the # to get miles since the resto was finished.

In most states the titles only reflect actual mileage under 100k. Beyond that they say "in excess of mechanical limits" or something similar.

If the car is under 100k you'd be silly to roll it back anyway.

My car was nearly 140k when I restored it. I documented the actual mileage, made sure the title and state records had the same information (so no one could misrepresent the car if I ever sold it) and also documented that I reset the mileage to zero. All the documentation stays with the car and the state has it as well.

A similar process is required by law any time an odometer is repaired or replaced and the mileage reads less than 100k at the time.

Some states' titles allow for mileage documentation beyond 100k and as far as I know all would require proper documentation of the change so ultimate actual mileage could be available for any potential buyer.

Just because you say you'd never misrepresent the car is great, but what's to say a future owner wouldn't. Do the right thing and document it legally and properly if you do decide to roll it back.

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NCOA member #220
ACES member #1670
Team Chevelle #998
Rich's 1965 Malibu SS Restoration Project Progress Page (http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/flats/8627/)
1:18 scale diecast car Detailing by Scooter (http://www.amhost.com/scooter/)

I could roll it back only if everything was fully documented.

Problem is how do you define restored? Just a rebuilt drivetrain, new paint, carpet and seat covers? To me a car that has been "rolled-back" had better have everything rebuilt or new, right down to zero(0) miles on the bearings.

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-Mark TC# 717
ACES #1641
1967 Chevelle SS396/375 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat2)(20 year old Polaroid pics. Sorry)
1967 RailVelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1badrat3.jpg) Handles like its on rails!
1964 Chevelle 283/195
1975 Corvette 396/375 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat1.jpg) Looks are very deceiving!

In my state(South Carolina)the title has a place where you must put the mileage on the odometer, say the mileage is unknown, or beyond its mechanical limits. Since mine was beyond its mechanical limits I did not hesitate rolling mine back at the time of its mechanical restoration. Real bonafide numbers matching cars should never be tampered with. But its so easy for someone to fake documentation I'm sure there aren't many like that around. In fact, my policy is if I don't personally Know the car and its history its suspect anyway. I know of one 65GTO and One 70SS LS6 Chevelle in my town that still belong to the original owners who I knew when and where they bought the cars so thats the only cars I will say are real and proper.


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Elcaminos are special!

I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
another shot of Ol Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint2.jpg)