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Master’s in Authenticity, Matching Numbers and Historical Dossier

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in authenticity, matching numbers and historical dossiers for historic vehicles. 12 modules covering authenticity criteria, vehicle identification, matching numbers, forensic analysis of components, documentary research, provenance, dossier preparation, technical photography, the legal framework, valuation and professional practice, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration12–14 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Apply international authenticity criteria.

02

Identify vehicles through markings and stampings.

03

Verify that component numbers match.

04

Carry out forensic analysis of parts and materials.

05

Research provenance and competition history.

06

Prepare complete and verifiable historical dossiers.

07

Value historic vehicles with professional rigour.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Historic vehicle authenticity experts.
  • Classic vehicle valuers and loss assessors.
  • Collection documentation specialists.
  • Auction house consultants.
  • Inspectors for high-value purchases.
  • Vehicle expert witnesses.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the collector vehicle sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIVA Charter of Turin (principles for the use and restoration of historic vehicles)
  • ISO 3779 (vehicle identification number (VIN) content and structure)
  • Royal Decree 892/2013, Historic Vehicles Regulation (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
  • FIVA Technical Code (technical classification of historic vehicles)
  • ISO 4030 (location and attachment of the VIN)
  • FIA Appendix K (technical regulations for historic competition vehicles)
  • Royal Decree 2822/1998, General Vehicle Regulations (Spanish general vehicle regulations)
  • Agisoft Metashape
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Microsoft Access
Syllabus

12 modules

  1. 1.1Concepts of originality, authenticity and integrity
  2. 1.2The FIVA Charter of Turin
  3. 1.3FIVA authenticity categories
  4. 1.4Restored and preserved vehicles and replicas
  5. 1.5Continuation cars and recreations
  6. 1.6Historical value versus market value
  7. 1.7Risk of fraud in collecting
  8. 1.8Stakeholders: auction houses, experts and clubs
  9. 1.9Responsibility of the expert
  10. 1.10Workshop: classification of vehicles under FIVA criteria
  1. 2.1Chassis number and VIN to ISO 3779
  2. 2.2Location of markings to ISO 4030
  3. 2.3Numbering systems prior to standardisation
  4. 2.4Manufacturer plates and rivets
  5. 2.5Hidden stampings
  6. 2.6Body and coachbuilder numbers
  7. 2.7Paint and trim codes
  8. 2.8Component manufacturing dates
  9. 2.9Techniques for reading altered stampings
  10. 2.10Practical: locating identifiers on a chassis
  1. 3.1Concept and scope of matching numbers
  2. 3.2Engine and gearbox numbers
  3. 3.3Differential and component numbers
  4. 3.4Casting codes and dates
  5. 3.5Factory replacement engines
  6. 3.6Rebuilt and re-stamped engines
  7. 3.7Factory records and production ledgers
  8. 3.8Tolerances in interpretation
  9. 3.9Influence on value
  10. 3.10Case study: verifying the matching numbers of a sports car
  1. 4.1Metallurgy and manufacturing techniques by period
  2. 4.2Period welds and joints
  3. 4.3Original castings versus replicas
  4. 4.4Fasteners and manufacturer markings
  5. 4.5Upholstery and trim materials
  6. 4.6Glass and manufacturer markings
  7. 4.7Wiring and connectors
  8. 4.8Analysis of original paints
  9. 4.9Non-destructive techniques
  10. 4.10Lab: comparison of an original part and a reproduction
  1. 5.1Factory archives and certificates
  2. 5.2Historical registration records
  3. 5.3Competition archives
  4. 5.4Newspaper archives and period photographs
  5. 5.5Marque register databases
  6. 5.6Clubs and model registers
  7. 5.7Interviews with previous owners
  8. 5.8Importer archives
  9. 5.9Reliability of sources
  10. 5.10Practical: reconstructing the chronology of a vehicle
  1. 6.1Vehicles with a sporting history
  2. 6.2Verification of race entries
  3. 6.3Chassis changes in competition
  4. 6.4Photography and detail analysis
  5. 6.5FIA and FIVA technical passports
  6. 6.6FIA Appendix K
  7. 6.7Celebrity-owned vehicles and provenance
  8. 6.8Identity disputes
  9. 6.9Famous cases of duplicates
  10. 6.10Case study: verifying the history of a racing car
  1. 7.1Dossier structure
  2. 7.2Technical sheet and specification
  3. 7.3Chronology of owners
  4. 7.4Documentation of restorations
  5. 7.5Photographic archive of identifiers
  6. 7.6Expert reports
  7. 7.7Certificates and homologations
  8. 7.8Digital and physical presentation
  9. 7.9Conservation of the dossier
  10. 7.10Workshop: layout of a historical dossier
  1. 8.1Technical vehicle photography
  2. 8.2Lighting stampings
  3. 8.3Photogrammetry with Agisoft Metashape
  4. 8.43D scanning of components
  5. 8.5Digital file management
  6. 8.6Metadata and traceability
  7. 8.7Chain of custody
  8. 8.8Digital preservation
  9. 8.9Presentation of evidence
  10. 8.10Practical: photographic survey of identifiers
  1. 9.1Royal Decree 892/2013 on historic vehicles
  2. 9.2General Vehicle Regulations
  3. 9.3Forgery of identifiers and the Criminal Code
  4. 9.4Sale and purchase and latent defects
  5. 9.5Law 10/2010 in high-value transactions
  6. 9.6Imports and customs
  7. 9.7Intellectual property of marques and replicas
  8. 9.8Liability of the expert
  9. 9.9Expert witness work in court
  10. 9.10Case study: expert report in a sale dispute
  1. 10.1Value factors of a historic vehicle
  2. 10.2Influence of authenticity
  3. 10.3Auctions and public results
  4. 10.4Market indices
  5. 10.5Valuation methods
  6. 10.6Valuation for insurance
  7. 10.7Valuation in inheritance and divorce
  8. 10.8Conflicts of interest
  9. 10.9Valuation report
  10. 10.10Workshop: valuation of a vehicle with a complete dossier
  1. 11.1Code of ethics
  2. 11.2Independence and fees
  3. 11.3Inspection contracts
  4. 11.4Pre-purchase inspections
  5. 11.5Inspections at auctions
  6. 11.6Communication of findings
  7. 11.7Professional indemnity insurance
  8. 11.8Network of collaborators
  9. 11.9Continuing professional development
  10. 11.10Practical: pre-purchase inspection report
  1. 12.1Selection of the vehicle for study
  2. 12.2Research plan
  3. 12.3Physical identification
  4. 12.4Matching numbers verification
  5. 12.5Documentary research
  6. 12.6Provenance analysis
  7. 12.7Complete historical dossier
  8. 12.8Valuation and conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is Agisoft Metashape, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Access, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for verifying matching numbers on collector vehicles, documentary research of provenance and preparing dossiers for auctions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: FIVA Charter of Turin, ISO 3779, Royal Decree 892/2013, Historic Vehicles Regulation, FIVA Technical Code, ISO 4030, FIA Appendix K, Royal Decree 2822/1998, General Vehicle Regulations.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the FIVA Charter of Turin, ISO 3779 and Royal Decree 892/2013 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Agisoft Metashape, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Access, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete authenticity study and historical dossier for a selected vehicle, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle and research plan
Select the vehicle and define the research plan.
Physical identification
Identify the vehicle and verify its matching numbers.
Documentary research
Research archives, records and provenance.
Historical dossier
Compile the complete historical dossier and valuation.
Master's Thesis
Conclusions and thesis report, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Historic vehicle authenticity expertClassic vehicle valuerCollection documentation specialistAuction house consultantHigh-value purchase inspectorVehicle expert witness
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Agisoft Metashape, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Access, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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