Do I have 63,000 miles or 163,000 miles on my Challenger?

[kawahonda]

Sadly, upon all the documentation I've got with the car, I have no way of tracing it back to know the mileage.

1) I called Renton Dodge and they laughed when I asked if they had history (original dealership).
2) I've tried reaching out to family members of the deceased owner. Zero reply from about 10-12 people.
3) No other documentation provides answers...including WA registration, etc.
4) Car was parked since late 1990s. Previous owner (only owner) health started deteriorating and it sat. I would say 1970-1999 is where my records end for when the car was registered and in action.

What are some sure-fire ways to know how many miles are on a rig, or is it impossible?

1) Common trunk pan rust, but salvageable by welding up a few pinholes and epoxy priming. Solid.
2) ONLY rust on the car is rear window panel and trunk lid. Those need to be replaced. Absolutely not a spec of rust anywhere else, and I've been under the car many times and confirmed...
3) Driver's seat had rips/tears. Passenger seat had a minor tear but was in much better shape. Door panels are sun-faded. Dash has no major cracks.
4) Paint buffed out to a brilliant shine. common rock chips to be found and daily-driver dings.

I can post pictures if needed, but most of you have seen pics of my car many times. There's many aspects of it that lead you to believe it's 63k miles for sure. Other parts, not so sure...engine bay was pretty oily (a high-pressure spray and some hand grease took car of most of it). Wiring is untouched....

The tale-tale sign to me that it may not be 63k miles is the blue J heads. Obviously it has had a head job in the past (which is fine for me, because it runs great). It has a black, unpainted water pump. Everything else in engine bay is original to the car.

[Chryco Psycho]

There are a lot of wear items , like brake pedal pads steering wheel , that will show a lo of wear for 160k , other things that are more hidden such as pedal bushings that would not get replaced that would give a better clue .
The body is no indication , a car in the southwest Az , NM , Nevada etc could be 50 years old with no trace of rust but the rubber would be shot , a car in Toronto would be rusty everywhere in 5 years

[kawahonda]

Here you go.

[kawahonda]

Pretty sure this is original carpet. Only wear I can find.

[anlauto]

I don't think many of these cars went 163K my guess would be 63K

[kawahonda]

Ducts....

Headliner is perfect condition.

[kawahonda]

Still has all this.

[kawahonda]

Detail guy said owner had a dog.

[blown motor]

I bought my 74 with about 50K miles on it. But the amount of wear on the finish of the keys said clearly it was 150K. The finish doesn't get worn off in 50K miles.

[kawahonda]

More signs of dog scratches. This is why I am a cat person.

[RUNCHARGER]

I would guess 63k. These engines usually needed a rebuild at 100,000 (mind you it has rebuilt heads). It could be 163k but if so the owner would have taken meticulous care of it and not let it out in the Wa, rain much.

[Bullitt-]

  Maybe someone else can back this up as it is just something I was told once long ago.
Think it was my buddy that had a '70 Duster that said as the ten thousand mile digits rolled over a witness mark was left on each number that indicates it's past 100K..
   Mine hasn't rolled over so I can't check it

I bought my 74 with about 50K miles on it. But the amount of wear on the finish of the keys said clearly it was 150K. The finish doesn't get worn off in 50K miles.

Sorry but a lot of things can wear a key like that...for example a lot of pocket change.
This looks pretty normal to me for a key that's been in a pocket for even a few years.

Again a lot can impact this but my Dad referenced the wear on the steering wheel as a way to tell if one had a lot of miles...

More signs of dog scratches. This is why I am a cat person.

  Had a cat in & out of mine a few times.... did basically the same damage
Once the sun has dried it out it doesn't take much......

[Chryco Psycho]

I have seen the ink mark on the far left digit from the first trip around but I am not sure they did that on the 70-74 models , I have seen it on the late 70s cars

[torredcuda]

I don't think many of these cars went 163K my guess would be 63K

I agree would be rare to have that many miles on a car of that vintage, most were worn out and scrapped around 100k. Door panels get chalky with time and sun and scratch easy with a fingernail so may not have been a dog. My bet looking at the pics is 63k.

[JS29]

The pads on the brake and gas peddles would be warn significantly, and as mentioned the steering wheel.  not to mention the tie rods, ball joints, idler and pittman arms.