If you are a fan of vintage cars, you might have wondered what those sheets on the windows of some old vehicles mean. We will discuss Vintage Car Build Sheet.
These sheets are not just decorations, they are valuable sources of information about the car’s history, features, and price. We will explain how to read vintage build sheets and why they are important for car enthusiasts.
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What is a Classic Build Sheet?
Build Sheets are labels that were required by law to be displayed on all cars sold in the U.S. from 1959 onwards.
The law is still in effect today and you can see, now called as modern window stickers, on new cars at any dealership.
Vintage build sheets contain official information about the car, such as:
- The make, model, year, and trim level of the car
- The engine and transmission specifications
- The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the car and its options
- The exterior and interior colors and codes
- The standard and optional equipment installed on the car
- The fuel economy ratings and emissions information
- The safety features and warranties of the car
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Why are Vintage Build Sheets Important?
Vintage build sheets are important for several reasons. First, they can help you verify the authenticity and originality of a classic car. By comparing the information on the build sheet with the actual car, you can check if the car has been modified, damaged, or restored over the years.
You can also see if the car has the correct options and features that match its model and trim level.
Second, a vintage build sheet can help you determine the value and rarity of a classic car. By looking at the MSRP and the options list, you can estimate how much the car cost when it was new and how popular or exclusive it was.
Some options, such as special engines, transmissions, or colors, can make a classic car more desirable and valuable than others.
You can also use the sheet to compare the car with similar models and see how it differs in terms of equipment and price.
Third, a vintage build sheet can help you appreciate the history and culture of a classic car. By reading the sheet, you can learn about the technology, design, and trends of the era when the car was made.
You can also see how the car was marketed and advertised to the public and what kind of features and benefits it offered to the buyers.
You can also get a glimpse of the personality and preferences of the original owner of the car and what kind of options they chose for their car.
How to Read Vintage Cars Build Sheets?
Reading build sheets can be a fun and educational activity for any car lover. However, it can also be challenging, as different car manufacturers had different formats and styles for their sheets.
Some sheets were more detailed and informative than others, and some sheets had more abbreviations and codes than others.
Therefore, it is helpful to have some general guidelines and tips on how to read the cars build sheets.
Before you know how to read build sheets. You need to know that VIN numbers of classic cars (below 1981) are between seven to 13 VIN digits. So, the decoding of 13 VIN digits usually is different from the current standardized VIN (17 VIN digits).
Here are some steps you can follow to read vintage build sheets:
- Start with the basic information. Look for the name and logo of the car manufacturer, the model and trim level of the car, and the year of production. You can also look for the vehicle identification number (VIN), which is a unique code that identifies the car and its history. You can use the VIN to check the car’s history online and see if it has been reported as stolen, damaged, or involved in any accidents. You can use the VIN decoder service to get a comprehensive report on the car’s history, including its ownership, mileage, maintenance, and recalls.
- Move on to the pricing information. Look for the MSRP of the car and its options. The MSRP is the price that the manufacturer suggested the dealer would charge for the car when it was new. It does not include any taxes, fees, or discounts that the dealer or the buyer may have negotiated. The MSRP can give you an idea of how expensive or affordable the car was when it was new and how it compared to other cars in its class. You can also look for the destination charge, which is the fee that the manufacturer charges the dealer for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership.
- Check the equipment information. Look for the standard and optional equipment installed on the car. Standard equipment are the features and items that came with the car at no extra cost. Optional equipment are the features and items that the buyer could choose to add to the car for an additional price. Some optional equipment were bundled into packages, while others were offered individually. You can see the names, descriptions, and prices of the optional equipment on the sheets.
- You can also look for the codes and symbols that indicate the equipment on the car. For example, a letter or a number may represent a certain engine, transmission, or color.
- Look at the fuel economy and emissions information. Look for the fuel economy ratings and emissions information of the car. The fuel economy ratings show how many miles the car can travel on a gallon of gas in the city and on the highway. The emissions information shows how much pollution the car produces and what kind of standards it meets. These ratings and information can help you evaluate the environmental impact and performance of the car.
- Examine the safety features and warranties. Look for the safety features and warranties of the car. The safety features include the items and systems that protect the driver and the passengers from harm in case of a crash or an emergency. For example, seat belts, airbags, brakes, and lights are some common safety features. The warranties include the guarantees and services that the manufacturer offers to the buyer in case of a defect or a problem with the car. For example, bumper-to-bumper, powertrain, and roadside assistance are some common warranties. These features and warranties can help you assess the quality and reliability of the car.
Vintage cars build sheets are more than just sheets, they are art and science. They can tell you a lot about a classic car’s history, features, price, value, and culture.
They can also help you verify, compare, and appreciate a classic car. By learning how to read vintage build sheets, you can become a more informed and savvy car enthusiast.