Keeping a record for a classic car: apps and habits
A classic does not need an app to tell it when the oil is due; it needs a record that outlives the owner. Provenance, restoration receipts, matching-numbers evidence and which parts are original are what drive a classic's value, and they are exactly what gets lost between owners. This guide is about keeping that record, and where Moterno, a fuel-and-cost app and a plain spreadsheet each fit.
What matters for a classic
- Provenance: who owned it, where, when, with documents.
- Restoration record: what was done, by whom, with receipts and before/after photos.
- Parts: part numbers and which components are original or replaced.
- Seasonal care: storage, battery, tire age and inspection dates, because classics are often driven a few weeks a year.
- Portability: the record must export and transfer, since you will outlive the app.
Options compared
| Option | Fits when | Limit for a classic |
|---|---|---|
| Moterno | You want provenance, documents, stories and a handover to the next owner; free; reminders include seasonal storage, tire age and inspection | No OBD or live data; PDF export and AI receipt scanning are Premium; 20 MB storage on Free |
| Drivvo | You also want fuel and cost reports; free for 2 vehicles, Individual $24.90/year (as of October 2026) | Built around fuel and costs, not provenance; CSV/Excel export is on paid plans |
| Spreadsheet plus folder | You want total control | Receipts and photos live apart from the entries |
| Paper binder | You want originals together; buyers trust it | One copy, no search |
Where Moterno fits
Moterno keeps a timeline per vehicle: services, repairs and parts with part numbers, plus photos, documents and the story behind the work. Reminders include annual service, timing belt, brake fluid, tire age, battery, inspection and seasonal storage. For Norwegian plates it fills in the vehicle from the plate number and reminds you of the periodic inspection.
Two features suit collectors in particular. Model registries let owners of one model collect chassis numbers, status and ownership history together, and an owner can claim a car and attach documentation. And clubs and meets put the record among people who know the model. When you sell, share a sale folder with the documented history or transfer the vehicle to the buyer's account.
Moterno is 100% free with no card and no expiring trial. CSV and JSON export are free. Premium ($2/month or about $20/year, as of October 2026) is optional and adds receipt scanning, suggested reminders, 1 GB storage and PDF export of the history.
Start with what you have
- Photograph the chassis plate and every document in the file.
- Enter the big events first: purchase, restoration stages, major repairs.
- Add the small services as you go, with invoices.
- Label what you cannot prove as unknown rather than guessing.
FAQ
Do I still need paper copies?
Yes. A scan is a copy, not the original title or invoice. Keep the originals safe and use the digital record to find and share them.
Can I import years of history?
In Moterno you can import invoices, PDFs, photos, a ZIP or a CSV and approve the suggested entries. Free includes one import of up to 10 files; Premium has no file limit.
What if the car has no paperwork?
Start from today, record the chassis number and condition, and add earlier facts as you find them, clearly marked as recollection until documented.