Welcome to Gilbert Vehicle Services! We provide the following services for both classic and late model vehicles in Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio:

• Pre-purchase inspection

• Appraisal

• Numbers Decoding & Authentication

• Vehicle purchase consulting

• Restoration project planning & consultation

• Title Issues

• Car & Parts locating service

Our motto is “Complete Vehicle Support from Idea to Ownership”

Our vehicle expertise can help you with many vehicle decisions including:

• Helping you find your dream car / truck / motorcycle

• Determining the authenticity of a vehicle

• Sorting title issues

• Locating rare parts to complete your vehicle

• Project planning for your vehicle restoration

• Recommendations for local restoration & repair service providers

• Real-world experience for restoration products & tools

• Vehicle determination assistance to find the vehicle which best suits your needs for personal or commercial use

We specialize in 1945-present cars and light-duty trucks. Please continue below for information on our most popular services.

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Are you looking at a car for sale in the southeast Michigan or northwest Ohio area but it is not practical for you to travel to see it in person? Let Gilbert Vehicle Services inspect it for you! We have over 40 years experience in the classic car hobby. We offer various levels of vehicle inspection based on your needs.

• Visual inspection ($350): We inspect the vehicle condition using our proprietary inspection checklist and quantitative measurements when available (paint thickness & panel gaps). We inspect the vehicle’s general condition, looking for any previous damage, poor workmanship, leaking fluids, etc. We record the VIN, Trim Tag, body number, and any other ID number with is visible with any disassembly and decode these to the best of our ability to authenticate the vehicle's "as-built" configuration. Minimum 40 high-resolution pictures are provided. A final written report summarizes our findings

• Engine Numbers Authenticity Check ($50): During the visual inspection, we record the engine number and any other mechanical component ID number which is visible without disassembling any part of the vehicle. We then decode these numbers to the best of our ability using our library of automotive reference materials

• Paint Color Authenticity Check ($25): During the visual inspection, we compare the current paint color of the vehicle with our large inventory of vintage O.E. paint samples (American cars & trucks from 1949-1982)

• Borescope Inspection ($50): We use a borescope to inspect accessible structural areas of the vehicle, looking for corrosion or damage

A travel fee of $1/mile from zip code 48073 is added to the prices above

Appraisals

Do you want to know your vehicle's current value?

Do you need an appraisal for insurance, estate, or probate?

We can help! We offer the following services:

• Appraisal ($250): We visually inspect your vehicle, audibly inspect the mechanicals and visually inspect the underbody. We record the VIN, Trim Tag, body number, and any other ID number with is visible with any disassembly and decode these to the best of our ability to authenticate the vehicle's "as-built" configuration. If visible, we will record and document mechanical component ID numbers using our library of automotive reference materials. Based off the vehicle's condition and appearance, we research recent collector vehicle market transactions to determine an appropriate value for your vehicle.

• Paint Color Authenticity Check ($25): During the visual inspection, we compare the current paint color of the vehicle with our large inventory of vintage O.E. paint samples (American cars & trucks from 1949-1982)

Our valuation is based off recent sales (typically past 2 years) and similar vehicles for sale. If you require a licensed appraiser with classic car certification who can offer diminished value, total loss, legal arbitration and other specialized valuation services, we will refer you to one of our associates who specialize in these special situations.

A travel fee of $1/mile from zip code 48073 is added to the prices above

Numbers Decoding & Authentication

Do you want the "numbers" decoded on your classic American car or truck to verify its original equipment? We have a vast library of automotive references for decoding VIN, Trim Tag, engine numbers and other key features on most 1945-present American cars and trucks. We can provide a short written report for $75

Title Issues

We have experience guiding owners through process of replacing lost titles for vehicles in Michigan. Contact us for more details.

Let’s work together

Gilbert Vehicle Services

+248-259-4999
gearheadkeith@gmail.com