Immediate things to do would be to do a Google search of the VIN and see if any sales history pops up from a dealer or auction. Second would be to verify the serial number plate spot welded to the steering column and make sure it looks similar to other 1961 serial number plates and that the number matches the title/registration. Look underneath the hood and front fender wells and look for evidence of crash repair or a filled hole in the hood giving up its history as a hot rod with a tall intake/carb setup. Many were cut and filled, and the edges of the patch always shrink over time.
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