New Odometer setting ? Restoration

[Chuck S.]

Re: New Odometer setting ? Restoration

If the odometer is broken and being repaired it can be set to "O" or the original mileage (if known) can be placed on the odometer...

If you are correct, Joe, then I was lied to...but, then it wouldn't be the first time that happened either.

When I had my broken speedometer repaired, I requested the mileage be set to zero. In retrospect, and in the context of this thread, it was a dumb idea even if the car was going to be essentially new when I finished.

However, the repair technician that was receiving the speedometer said that he could not do that since it was against Federal law to set a repaired speedometer to zero. Since he was taking the speedometer completely apart, I don't think he had any motive to mislead me, but there did seem to be a climate of not doing any more than absolutely necessary in that town.

Anyway, I say it was a dumb idea because the speedometer was showing only 2709 miles, but there wasn't any doubt that it was on it's second time around. Now, in retrospect, that was the best possible solution.

[John H.]

Re: New Odometer setting ? Restoration

My '67 showed 80,358 when I had the cluster restored and the inop odometer fixed, and I had the odometer reading left alone. In typical fashion, when the car went back on the road, the odometer died 330 miles later and shows 80,688, and has for the last six years. When I get the gumption to pull the cluster again and have the odometer repaired (again), I'll have the reading left alone.

"Jeez, sure looks good for an 80,000-mile car"..

[Joe R.]

Re: New Odometer setting ? Restoration

If you are correct, Joe, then I was lied to...but, then it wouldn't be the first time that happened either.

When I had my broken speedometer repaired, I requested the mileage be set to zero. In retrospect, and in the context of this thread, it was a dumb idea even if the car was going to be essentially new when I finished.

However, the repair technician that was receiving the speedometer said that he could not do that since it was against Federal law to set a repaired speedometer to zero. Since he was taking the speedometer completely apart, I don't think he had any motive to mislead me, but there did seem to be a climate of not doing any more than absolutely necessary in that town.

Anyway, I say it was a dumb idea because the speedometer was showing only 2709 miles, but there wasn't any doubt that it was on it's second time around. Now, in retrospect, that was the best possible solution.

Chuck,

Your OK as long as you reveal upon selling that the speedometer has been repaired and does not reflect the actual miles.

The laws are to protect the buyer but not so restrictive to bar the sale on a car that has been repaired.

The information I reflected was an exact copy from a title.

JR

[Jack H.]

Re: New Odometer setting ? Restoration

Rules vary State by State. Ask any speedo shop where you live...

Most allow zeroing the odo on VERY old cars that are undergoing a total restoration. But, you should check into the fine details of the law(s) where you live and your car is registered.

[Harmon C.]

Re: New Odometer setting ? Restoration

If your title lists an actual mileage don't reset it. If the title says over limit or unknown I would set it at zero if I wanted to because the current mileage would not matter.