Chrysler Historical Services

[Pete Kaczmarski]

Has anyone payed for a "Build Card" for $45 from Chrysler Historical Services. What exactly do you get and do you think it was worth the cost.

 

[commando1]

They are good if you are missing a build sheet a/o fender tag. They don't tell you anything more but they are relished by document junkies.
If you have a 1 of x HemiCuda, probably worth it. Maybe.

 

[rexus31]

I believe they have records for '69 and earlier. This is what I got:





Coming from the Pontiac hobby, I am spoiled by Pontiac Historic Services (PHS; www.phs-online.com). They have record (Build Sheets) of just about every Pontic built and are able to decode said build sheets so you know exactly what you have or what you are interested in buying. This saves the hobbyist from making a mistake in buying a clone or buying a car the current owner purports to have come from the factory with a certain desirable engine and trans combo. Simple send the VIN to PHS, they will pull the build sheet and tell you exactly how that car came off the line and with what options. As an example, in '64 and '65 the GTO Package was simply an option on the LeMans; there is nothing in the VIN or Data Plate to tell for sure you have an original GTO. Send in the VIN and they can tell you for certain whether or not it is a close or the real deal.

I didn't get the info from Chrysler Historical for this purpose. I simply though it was nice to have something "official" from Chrysler regarding my car and what it came with being it is highly optioned.

 

[69CoronetRT]

What exactly do you get and do you think it was worth the cost.

What you get is a microfiche copy of the original IBM card produced for your car. (A copy of a copy) All other documents for the car were generated from this card. The tell you things that are and are not on a broadcast sheet (i.e. dealer code, shipping date. there are details on a BS that are not on an IBM card.) It's considered one of the definitive documents for your car. Yes, it is worth the price IF they have yours on file.

Some caveats:

The have cards for most 67 and earlier cars.
Some of the copies are very hard to read but there are people that can help.
I have seen mistakes in their decodes. Just like a fender tag, there are nuances to interpreting the IBM cards. Trust but verify ;)

 

[bluefury361]

Has anyone payed for a "Build Card" for $45 from Chrysler Historical Services. What exactly do you get and do you think it was worth the cost.

I got a copy of the IBM card and a decode sheet for my 61 Fury convertible. I think it was well worth the $45.00 fee. They also included a copy of the 61 accessory catalog.

I have not been able to trace back any of the history of the car. The guy who did the hack restoration said he found it somewhere in Tenn, couldn't remember the town, (stoner).
The IBM card and decode sheet shows it was bought new from Cantrell & Guy inc in Dayton Ohio. Now closed up with scarce history.

 

[detmatt]

I have to get the one for my Imp one of these days.