I have not been able to find any guidance or examples of classic car filing systems on the internet so I am hoping you can help me better organize mine. I am curious to know how you organize your records, specifically, what order and categories are contained in your system? Mine are in binders:
Vol. I - Tips and history, Inurance, Maintenance, Purchase documents, and Market Information
Vol. II - Restoration Receipts
Vol. III - Mechanical (Procedures, Instructions, Shop Manual supplement, and Assembly Manual
Vol. IV - TBD, but thinking about provenance, my maintenance history, and so forth.
Photo Album - Pictures from barn find to final restoration, etc.
Even though I am old school on my paper/3 ring binder system, I decided to go new school so I asked Chat GPT (the artificial intelligence platform) to make a recommendation. Here is what it produced in less than two seconds:
Me: Help me create a table of contents for collector car documentation.
Chat GPT: Sure! Here's a possible table of contents for collector car documentation:
I. Introduction
A. Purpose of documentation
B. Importance of collector car documentation
C. Overview of the document
II. Vehicle Information
A. Make and model
B. Year of manufacture
C. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
D. Engine type and specifications
E. Transmission type and specifications
F. Body style and color
G. Interior options and features
III. Ownership History
A. Purchase date and price
B. Previous owners and their contact information
C. Mileage at time of purchase and current mileage
D. Maintenance and repair history
E. Restoration history, if applicable
IV. Appraisals and Valuations
A. Appraisal reports and documentation
B. Recent sales of similar vehicles
C. Current market trends and values
D. Insurance valuations and policies
V. Legal Documentation
A. Vehicle title and registration
B. Bill of sale and purchase agreement
C. Loan documents, if applicable
D. Any liens or encumbrances on the vehicle
VI. Original Documentation
A. Manufacturer's certificate of origin
B. Owner's manual and other original documents
C. Service and repair manuals
D. Original advertising and promotional materials
VII. Photographs and Videos
A. Exterior and interior photographs
B. Engine and undercarriage photographs
C. Restoration process photographs, if applicable
D. Video footage of the vehicle in action
VIII. Conclusion
A. Summary of the documentation
B. Significance of the vehicle in automotive history
C. Future plans for the vehicle
D. Contact information for the owner or seller.
Me: What do you think?