At RoadwayReady we participate in multiple ad and affiliate programs to help support the costs associated with keeping this site up and running. As an Amazon Associate, we can earn from qualifying purchases that we link to as well as earn money from any ads that may be present on our website. See my privacy policy here. Thank you
When I was a younger man I owned a 1969 Mustang Fastback. It was a beautiful car and part of me wishes I still had it. If that car could talk, the stories it could tell, there is a lot of history in a car like that.
Now if you own or are looking to own a car like that you may find it difficult to find that history. Before 1981 VIN numbers were not the standard 17 digits we find today. So where do you go to perform a classic car VIN search? We will point you to a few services and answer a few common questions on this topic.
First, let’s take a look at the services that provide VIN number lookup for classic cars.
Where You Can Do a VIN Number Search On A Classic Car
Finding the history of your classic car can be an ordeal. When I bought my Mustang, it didn’t even occur to me to try to find out it’s past. But you being the prudent person you are, want to know where your classic has been. Or want to find out where the classic car you are about to purchase has been.
So after much research, I have found a few places where you can go to find some history for your classic car.
Just a disclaimer here: VEHICLE HISTORY FOR CLASSIC CARS IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THERE MAY BE NO HISTORY FOR YOUR PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY RESULTS. THE SERVICES BELOW WILL PROVIDE THE DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE.
VIN Data.com
Through my research, VIN Data seems to be the go-to place to find gaps in your classic vehicle history, they are even mentioned in Hagerty Insider.
So what does VIN Data tell you about a classic car? Here is a screenshot from their sample report of a 1969 GTO.
- Vehicle Specifications
- Junk/ Salvage/ Total loss events
- Title Information
- Title Brands Report
- Vehicle Value (if available)
- Odometer information
- Recalls
- Warranty
- and Other Information
Each of these areas has more detailed information as you read through the report. This is a very thorough report for a classic car. The information provided may help you decide if you want to purchase it or not.
How Much Does a Report from VIN Data cost?
VIN Data has several pricing tiers.
- You can buy a single report for $14.99
- You can buy 10 reports for $2.99 each for a total of 29.90
- You can buy the Window Sticker report for 4.99
The best thing yet is that VINData offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
VIN Free Check.com
VIN Free Check is another service that I found that offers vehicle reports for classic cars. They offer similar information to that of VIN Data, however, they do not supply a sample report for their classic car service.
Again, knowing what you are buying is half the battle. You don’t want to invest thousands of dollars in a classic car that has been severely modified.
One last thing to note, despite it’s name VIN Free check is not free. They do charge $9.99 for a report.
I do not have a classic car VIN to run through the service. It looks like a legit website and they too offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Classic Car Database
This is a little bit different kind of website in that it does not offer a vehicle history report. It is more of a vehicle specifications report.
This site is more serious collectors and enthusiasts, it gives locations of classic car museums and clubs. It also gives you data about specific cars. Click here if you would like to take a look at the site.
It is an interesting look at what classic vehicles were manufactured with. For a car enthusiast, it is a great resource.
Looking for a VIN Number?
How Do I Check A VIN Number Before 1980?
answer the question how do I do a VIN Check before 1980Since the standard for VIN Numbers began in 1981, if an individual is looking to find the history of a classic car before then they would need to contact the manufacturer.
It’s important to note that many car dealerships will have records on file with the transaction information for vehicles manufactured before 1980. Some may also offer copies of window stickers or other related documentation. For people who are looking through vehicles privately, there are some options available to them as well.
They could try contacting state agencies, including motor vehicle divisions and law enforcement agencies, which might have older registration records on file. One place someone might be able to start their search is through insurance agents or providers that work with classic cars – these companies may keep registries on
How Do I Find The History of My Classic Car?
Looking up the history of a classic car can be a daunting task. There are several ways to do it, and each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular methods for finding the history of a classic car.
One way to lookup the history of a classic car is to use a service like CARFAX. CARFAX is a service that collects information about cars from all over the country and stores it in their database. This information includes things like registration information, accident reports, and title information. CARFAX can be used to lookup the history of a car by its VIN number.
Another way to lookup the history of a classic car is to use a service like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA is a government agency that maintains a database of all cars in the United States. This database includes information like the make, model, and year of the car. It also includes information about any accidents that the car has been in, as well as information about any recalls that have been issued for the car.
Another way to lookup the history of a classic car is to use an online forum or community dedicated to classic cars. These forums are often filled with people who are passionate about classic cars and who are happy to help others find information about their cars. Forums can be a great resource for finding things like pictures of your car, specs, and owner’s manuals.
Finally, another way to look up the history of a classic car is to contact the original manufacturer. Many manufacturers will have records of all the cars that they have ever made. This information can include things like the make, model, and year of the car, as well as information about any accidents or recalls that it may have had.
Here is an entertaining video of these guys discussing VIN numbers for a classic chevy camero.:
How Do I Decode A 13 Digit Vin Number?
Some vehicles before 1981 had a 13 digit VIN number instead of the standard 17 digits today. These numbers were not universal either so it was difficult to track down the history of a car.
The best way to decode a 13 digit VIN number is to follow the advice above and try one of those methods. Since the numbers are not universal and not standardized there is no one correct way to decode a 13 digit VIN.
Final Thoughts…
Looking up the history of a classic car can be a difficult but rewarding task. In this article, we have discussed several methods for looking up the history of a classic car. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the method that best suits your needs.
2 responses to “3 Places To Go For A Classic Car VIN Search”