OK, total restoration, nut and bolt, when the odometer wheels are redone do you leave the original miles or roll it to zero?

No right or wrong, not wanting any fights, just opinions.

If it matters, AAR, 76k

I'd set the odometer to single choice
	Original Miles
	Zero
Votes accepted starting: 05/01/13 07:06 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I had mine put back to the correct mileage. They are only original once.

original running gear , i leave the odometer the same. not original with a fresh non numbers engine , i set it back to 0.

What use is original mileage if one rebuilds entire drive train and suspension even if it is a number matching car?
The odometer no longer reflects the usage on the parts.
Put it to zero to reflect a fresh start.
Jules

Given your very specific "nut and bolt" definition I say reset to zero...........with a lot of hesitation-------if the car remains intact, and it the original odo to the car, why not leave it alone?

My personal thought would be to keep it with the mileage that it has. Reasoning for this is you might run into a problem if you should ever sell the car and the title not match what the odometer shows and then would have to get a title that says modified mileage or something to that extent.

I would perhaps pencil down or put a tag with the original mileage on the back of the dash somewhere with a date and some info explaining that was the last known mileage since the reset to 0.

Indiana law FYI:

Information Maintained by the Office of Code Revision Indiana Legislative Services Agency

IC 9-19-9
Chapter 9. Odometers

IC 9-19-9-1
Advertising, sale, use, or installation of devices causing odometers to misregister mileage
Sec. 1. A person may not:
(1) advertise for sale;
(2) sell;
(3) use; or
(4) install;
any device that causes an odometer to register mileage other than the mileage driven by the vehicle as registered by the odometer within the manufacturer's designed tolerance.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

IC 9-19-9-2
Disconnecting, resetting, or altering odometer
Sec. 2. A person may not:
(1) disconnect;
(2) reset; or
(3) alter;
the odometer of any motor vehicle with intent to change the number of miles indicated on the odometer.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.


IC 9-19-9-3
Operation of vehicle with disconnected or nonfunctional odometer
Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to all motor vehicles except the following:
(1) Motorcycles.
(2) Trucks the declared gross weight of which exceeds eleven thousand (11,000) pounds.
(3) Motor vehicles that have a model year on their registration card that is at least five (5) years earlier than the year the vehicle is in operation on a street or highway.
(b) A person may not knowingly operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway if the odometer of the vehicle is disconnected or nonfunctional.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.


IC 9-19-9-4
Service, repair, or replacement of odometer
Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit the service, repair, or replacement of an odometer if the mileage indicated on the odometer remains the same as before the service, repair, or replacement. If the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before the service, repair, or replacement, the odometer shall be adjusted to read zero (0) and a notice in writing shall be attached to the left door frame of the vehicle by the owner or the owner's agent specifying the

mileage before repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which the odometer was repaired or replaced. A person may not knowingly remove or alter a notice affixed to a motor vehicle under this section.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.


IC 9-19-9-5
Fraudulent violations and omissions; classification of offense
Sec. 5. A person who, with intent to defraud:
(1) violates this chapter; or
(2) omits to do any act that is required by this chapter;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.


IC 9-19-9-6
Corporate directors, officers, or agents; criminal liability
Sec. 6. An individual director, officer, or agent of a corporation who authorizes, orders, or performs any of the acts or practices prohibited by this chapter is subject to criminal liability in accordance with IC 35-41-2-4.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.


IC 9-19-9-7
Deceptive acts; civil penalties; recovery by attorney general
Sec. 7. A person who:
(1) violates this chapter; or
(2) violates 49 U.S.C. 32709 (as in effect January 1, 1995);
commits a deceptive act and is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for each violation in addition to other remedies available under this chapter and IC 24-5-0.5. The attorney general, acting in the name of the state, has the exclusive right to petition for recovery of such a penalty, and the penalty may be recovered only in an action brought under IC 24-5-0.5-4(c).
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.54-2009, SEC.4.

Dave, interesting reading and by no means would I condone anyone doing anything illegal in their home of residence. Interestingly enough AZ has similar wording but doesn't seem to care much about cars 10 years and older. Here is what I found on a questions and answers section;

Q. Why are vehicles 10 years old and older exempted?
A. NHTSA says odometer fraud is not a major factor in the price of those automobiles, and is more common in newer vehicles.

So it's really about resale value and the perception of what John Q Public is buying/paying based on milage perception. In this hobby, I doubt anyone will think my car has 76k original miles or 0 miles when I'm finished.

Everyone who's responded has made great arguments for their belief, unfortunately I'm still unsure what I will do. Either way you can bet the cars original milage will not be lost.

If it was over 100,000 I would say go back to zero.

But, at 76,000 leave it.

Your entire resto will be documented at that point anyway. To me, a car with less than 100,000 original miles carries alot of weight, more so than "numbers matching drivetrain". At 76k many of the pieces you take off should be able to be cleaned/polished/painted back up and put back on which (to me) preserves the originality. When I'm buying cars I look for originality and straightness of the body, I could care less if the engine's been swapped 20 times.