Question: Ownership history?

[robrtr]

I'm looking at a '68 coupe that was advertised as a one-owner car. The owner had minimal service records, but the car has the protect-o-plate and original warranty book. Unfortunately, the plate indicates the car was purchased by a company. Story was that he and his brother owned the co. and it was his car. Title is now in his name.

I'm interested in hearing opinions about whether 'one-owner' is a valid description. If I could get the old corporate records, would that help establish a chain of ownership?

Thanks!

robrtr

 

[6880 Mike]

There are no corporate records for the older cars. You will have to go with original documentation with the car or title searches through varioius DMVs. You might be able to find records of the company the car was registered to.

Any reason not to believe the seller's story? Sounds plausible to me.

 

[robrtr]

Mike,

A couple of problems.
1. The owner's file of maintenance receipts contain about 10 pages, all fairly recent.
2. He told me he's never has to use his spare tire. I reached up and felt a bald spare. Then he corrected himself to say he'd never personnally had to use it.
3. The gas lid seems wrong. According to NCRS, it should have rivets. Instead it has bolts.
4. The steering wheel has an off-color horn button.

I'm a newby at shopping for antique corvettes. Am I making too much of the above concerns? The car ran fine. The brakes were horrible and when I removed the fluid reservoir cap, the fluid overflowed. Water in the lines?

Also, any pointer on how to research a title would be appreciated.

Thanks!

robrtr

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

.

I'm a newby at shopping for antique corvettes. Am I making too much of the above concerns?

Probably, but you should not consider buying any 40 year old car without having an in-depth professional inspection done. You don't want to have any nasty surprises after it's too late to walk away.

 

[GS Diva]

Probably, but you should not consider buying any 40 year old car without having an in-depth professional inspection done. You don't want to have any nasty surprises after it's too late to walk away.

I absolutely agree!! Definitely try to find a Corvette person who is knowledgeable about the older Corvettes. If you've already experienced some hesitancy about what the owner said and what you've observed, then you definitely need to have someone else check out the car.

Let us know how it goes.

Elaine

 

[6880 Mike]

...1. The owner's file of maintenance receipts contain about 10 pages, all fairly recent....

More and older records would be nice, but the car is 40 years old.

...2. He told me he's never has to use his spare tire. I reached up and felt a bald spare. Then he corrected himself to say he'd never personnally had to use it....

The condition of the spare wouldn't be much concern to me. What you want to ensure is that it is an original 15x7 rally wheel.

...3. The gas lid seems wrong. According to NCRS, it should have rivets. Instead it has bolts....

Could be a replacement lid. For NCRS judging purposes it might cost you a few points. Makes no real difference if you do not intend to go for flight status.

...4. The steering wheel has an off-color horn button....

Horn button should match the interior color. Off color as in 40 years old and sun faded? Or wrong color?

... Am I making too much of the above concerns?...

Depends on what you want. None of the above would cause me undue concern, but they could be important to you.

Contact your local DMV to determine the Ins and Outs of title searches. These vary from state to state.

I agree with the other folks; might not be a bad idea to have someone look at the car with you.

Good luck.

 

[Vette79]

I agree with Elaine. If they are serious concerns of yours then locate someone knowledgeable about corvettes to go with you. You don't want to regret things later. Post some PICS...

 

[vett boy]

Check with a local vett club to see who's the expert.
your wise in looking at all the clues.If it smells a little fishy it could be it's fish.

 

[robrtr]

Ownership History

All,

Wow. Thanks for all the responses. You're great. I'm on my way to Florida for a vacation. I have talked to the owner and he's ok with a professional inspection when I get back. I'll let you know how it works out. In the meantime, here's a couple of pics. The car has been repainted. Its the correct color but not a great job. A few bubbles are evident under the back bumper.

robrtr

 

[Vette79]

Rob, I live not to far north of you. I'm in Millersville just south of Glen Burnie. Let me know if you need anything.

 

[robrtr]

Ownership History

Jeff,

Thanks for the offer. Careful what you ask for. HA.

-- Ralph (robrtr)

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Very pretty car. You might want to ask the seller how a '68 got a pair of '69 doors.

 

[GS Diva]

The car has been repainted. Its the correct color but not a great job. A few bubbles are evident under the back bumper.

robrtr

An obviously poor paint job will probably drive you crazy...and to do it right will cost a good amount of money. Be careful!

There are thousands of Corvettes for sale so don't "fall in love" with the first one or two that you come across!! If it doesn't feel right, move on.

Elaine

 

[6880 Mike]

...You might want to ask the seller how a '68 got a pair of '69 doors....

I agree.

 

[fine69]

Rob, I live not to far north of you. I'm in Millersville just south of Glen Burnie. Let me know if you need anything.

Jeff,

Thanks for the offer. Careful what you ask for. HA.

-- Ralph (robrtr)

Hehehe --- another Ralph from MD. Welcome. Same goes here as Jeff said. If you need anything, I'm in Frederick.

Ralph

 

[GerryLP]

At a minimum, it makes-up for a good story line when talking about that Vette.

The proper and detailed documentation of a vehicle is so important and valuable, for it requires the original owner to maintain it. How many of us have all the original papers for that family sedan or SUV in our homes? That is why it is important! You can't normally go back a gather it or fabricate it after owning a vehicle for many years! It all starts with day one when it is driven off the lot...

 

[Vette79]

Hehehe --- another Ralph from MD. Welcome. Same goes here as Jeff said. If you need anything, I'm in Frederick.

Ralph

Two Ralph's are better then one!

 

[robrtr]

Mikey,

What's the diff between '68 and '69 doors?

Thanks,

Ralph

 

[BruceBed]

I agree.[/quote

The doors should have dimple door locks(the door lock is depressed in door when opening/closing) and reverse back up lights under bumpers.

As far as the corporate ownership transfer- That's a possibility but the car needs to be sorted out first.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Mikey,

What's the diff between '68 and '69 doors?

Thanks,

Ralph

'68 doors are one year only. To open them you depressed a protruding knob on the door surface. The chrome flap on the door upper surface was to provide a pocket to grip the door. The knob also functioned as key slot and door lock.

On '69s and up, the push button function was eliminated (key slot and lock only) and the door opening function was combined with the flap on the upper surface.

Not a show stopper but it raises questions about the car's history.