1. Ask for the VIN. You can request a LEIN check from the PD if they have time, as well as run a PHS.

2. Ask for a copy of the current registration, and the title in the seller's name. If the title is not in the seller's name, that is one warning.

3. Ask for first party photos...current, not resized, and emailed from seller directly to you. If you have Windows XP or camera software, you can right click on the image and extract a lot of file data including the date the image was taken. Digital is great!

4. Ask for a detailed description, and if you've deciphered the body tag or PHS and it matches, that's a start. I can also verify build dates +/- one week to a VIN (to see if they are both from the same car) on a '67 Firebird. I plan to expand this to '68 and '69 as well, but will need community input to make it happen.

5. Then evaluate the car.