27roadster

My dad is thinking of selling his 65 L78 Corvette. He had a couple guys look at the car but they couldn't believe the car only had 5500 miles on it. My dad has owned the car for 42 years and has never tagged the car since he has owned it. Is there any way a title search would show the last time it was tagged?
Thanks

32361ARTHUR

I doubt any state has registration records going back 42 years. The title will have a date issued.

Geralds57

Did he lose the title or are you talking about the license plate never being issued? If the title has been lost, it's going to be a nightmare depending on what state you live in.

27roadster

No he has the title he was just trying to see if there was any record of the car being tagged. I guess it's hard for most people to believe a guy could own a car that long and never tagged it. He thought it might be worth more money if there was proof it hadn't been tagged since say 67. One guy offered 100k but dad thinks its worth more and its his car.

Railroadman

It's almost funny - the guy parks it for 42 years thinking it will help the value, and in the long run it hurts him because nobody believes him!

Bet now he wishes he'd just driven the wheels off it!

Nowhere Man

the tittle he has should have a date on when it was issued to the current owner.

jdk971

and probably the number of miles, maybe. jim

27roadster

Title was issued in 1969 and doesn't have a line on it for miles. The car was in a museum for 20 years so no need to tag the car.

Dan Hampton

I definitely want to see pics of this car.

C2Dan

I strongly doubt that there is a way of proving that a car has never been registered in any State, or in any foreign country for that matter. I tried to find records in three States where my '65 has lived and was unsuccessful in two and only partially successful in the third.

However, a careful inspection of the car should reveal whether or not the mileage on the odometer is in the right ballpark. For example, one could probably determine if the tires are original and then measure the wear on the tires. (Just be sure you don't drive the car on those ancient tires!) Other components may also be revealing.

At the end of the day, condition is more important than mileage, and I would be somewhat skeptical about a car that has sat around for so long without being driven regularly. I'm no expert on current Corvette values, but I wouldn't automatically assume that super-low mileage equates with super-high value. After all, that premium evaporates as the car is driven. And if it isn't driven, what's the point?

jimgessner

Cars that have not received a new title after transfer have no records after 7 years. A friend in Chicago bought a 66 convert with 11000 miles on it in 2010. He went to title it last month, and discovered it had an old title to three owners before him 12 years ago, all out of state. He had to go back to each owner, and get the oldest title renewed in that owners name who then transferred that new title to his name so he could get the car titled and registered properly. What a nightmare. Thank God all were still alive and no one had conflict. Technically, the person on the old title could say it is "my car" and file for a lost title and come over to your Dad's and take the car.

Have you Dad get current title on the car in his name. It will save a lot of grief. Of course, PHOTO COPY all the original paperwork for history provenance.

rovers2000

I agree condition should tell the story about mileage.

Gimme1MoreC1

What State? I would suggest that confirming documents are available from the museum showing when it was first offered there and when released. Due to insurance reasons, museums are required to keep a lot of detailed records. This could at least verify 20 years of its existence. Like others here, I would like to see pics of this 5500 mile '65, especially a high horse BB.

27roadster

This is a pic i took with my phone not the best but you get the idea.

C2Dan

The pic is fine, and the car looks GREAT! This is one of my favorite color combos, as long as I'm not the one who has to maintain the black paint. If I wanted to sell this car, I'd take it to an auction that permits a reserve and attracts a lot of high-end Corvette buyers (Bloomington, for example). I'd set the reserve at $125K or more and see what happens. To enhance the car's value, NCRS or Bloomington awards are probably worth more than absolute proof of the mileage, so I'd consider having the car judged before taking it to an auction.

27roadster

The next time i go out to my dads i will take some pics of the interior. The car looks like it was never set in. I hope to take a ride in the car before it goes.

Gimme1MoreC1

Great looking car, my favorite color combination, and a Big Block. I love it. This car should be judged, and then be sold. If certified by Bloomington Gold or NCRS, the price goes wayyy up.


I was thinking the same as you, Dan, but so much for tire measurements, they have been changed to radials.

blue63cpe

With 5500mi where are the original tires? It appears to have radials on it. How does the spare look? Is it a knock off also. It is a sharp car.

27roadster

The car didn't have original tires on it when he got it. It actually had white walls?

blue63cpe

White walls were an option in 65.