Stopped at a gas station the other day after seeing a nice 69 getting gas. Started taking with the owner about our Vettes and saw this look of grief in his eyes as I mention some of the things I had done to mine. Oh!!! he said it's not a numbers matching car sorry.

I thought what hell does he mean SORRY?, but went on talking Vette chat.

I listen to this matching numbers, original motor fight all the time and just don't understand this whole subject.

First let me say I don't have a matching numbers Corvette, but my ride would hold up to any matching numbers Corvette in all areas that count. I have replaced and up graded items that Chevrolet probably would have done had they had the part in 1970 and it runs better and is safer.

Matching numbers freaks are like kids that will pay $100 for a pair of jeans because they have some freaks name on it, but would not buy a pair of Rangler Jeans that might fit better and wear longer and look just as good. It's fine to buy those jeans, but why look down on the guy wearing the Ranglers.

Maybe someone can explain why a Corvette that had a bad transition two weeks after it was purchased and replaced by Chevrolet would be worth less than one with original tranny. It's purely a mind game and those who play than game and look down on others who don't have a numbers matching, should go play with their
own kind and quit trying to justify the silly extra money they spent because it has matching numbers.

Now I think it's fine for those who like to play that game, but sticking your nose in the air like yours is better than others because of a few stinking numbers stamped on the is silly

The Corvette is a beautiful machine for those of us who love them and whether it has matching numbers or not it's still a Corvette. Replacing parts or paint runs because it came from the factoring that way even though a safer part or better paint tech. is available, is very questionable to me at times, but that's fine and I surely don't look down my nose at you for that.

We are lovers of the great Corvette and I think the constant battle is silly. Those who make snide remarks or heckle someone's paint job, wheels or modes to there Corvette on here should remember most put a lot of work and a lot of time into their rides and this is not the place to make fun of someone's work as I have seen in the past.

Sorry to go on about this but I seen some on this forum heckle someone's Vette without any consideration of their feelings and love of what they did to create "their Corvette".

A Corvette is a Corvette matching numbers or not.

 

 

Mine is a NCRS...not correctly restored stingray and DAMN PROUD of it!!!!! steeroids...700r4.....high performance 350, headers, duals no cats,750 Speed Demon...NO APOLOGIES

 

I wouldn't let it bother you. I have a friend who has a bunch of 30's and 40's cars. They are all unrestored "original" cars. To me, they look like they should go to the scrapyard. No way would I ever try to drive one on the street. I always try to convince him to turn them into street rods. Then the argument begins, as he tells me how people who make street rods out of these "historic" automobiles should be shot. He even refused to sell one to someone he thought might mod it!

I guess my point is, he will never see things my way (the correct way) and I will never see things his way but we still remain friends. By the way, he has no opinion on me modernizing a 68 Vette as they are two new to care about!

 

Wait, wait...I'm getting a vision...the gentleman you spoke with at the gas station...was he older? Thinning white/silver hair? Larger than necessary (sun)glasses? "Corvette" ball-cap"? "Comfortable" shoes with velcro ties? Medium to large paunch hanging over his "Corvette" belt buckle? Crusty white stuff in the corner's of his mouth? Denture breath?

Matching #'s = unless the car is a rare collector specimen (and at that point, it shouldn't be on the road anyway). And anyone that looks down/belittles your/my car because of it deserves a kick in the nutz.

P.S. - I wear Wrangler's...much better jean than Levi's (which are now made in China).

 

it boils down to:

show and shiners = numbers matchig

people who drive their vets the way they were meant to = modders

 

I bought my '69 in Feb '76 and it was matching numbers.

I still have the car and it has NOT been matching numbers since '77. Matching numbers is ONLY relavant if you are selling a Corvette. There is no other PLUS to keeping dated parts in a car.

I gave up on Corvette clubs around '80 when several members referred to my car as a "garbage car". I built my Corvette to be what I wanted.

Make no applogies for building your Corvette the way you want!!

 

Aww he is just a weenie! Plain and simple. I enjoy all kinds of vettes. I just don't happen to be a numbers matching type. Leave him in a cloud of tire smoke and go have fun with your car.

 

I think you may be missing the point about numbers matching cars,
If your car was a numbers matching vette I'm sure you would not be making this statement. The fact is to have a 35 year old car with the correct parts still intacked is rare, add to this that these cars are high performance and the age group that originaly purchased these cars, to still be able to find a numbers matching car in my opinion is worth the extra cash. I purchased a 1970 last year from the original owner, numbers matching........But it needed a full restoration, I figured that if I was going to put the time and effort in a car it should be a numbers car. I did have to search for my vette, But I feel it was worth it. I paid 9 grand for it last November.
Just for the record I see a lot of C-3's that are custom to some extent and I think they all look great, Also I agree with you we all have these cars because we love the look and the feeling we get when we drive them........I don't think it matters if they have the same motor that detroit sent it out the door with. So for those that look down on you because you don't have a numbers car............I say shame on you!!!

Just my thoughts..............

 

I've got two 70 454 LS-5 cars both matching #'s motors, but agree with you that non matching should not be frowned upon just because of NMN. I've seen plenty of matching #'s cars at shows with a bastardized restoration, or guys gloating that there cars are all original and they sure look it with faded paint, cracked dash and torn vinyl seats. A nice restoration is to be appreciated and is refreshing to see NMN #'s or not. I have more of a problem with correctness of the motor in the car than weather or not its matching or not, I almost bought a 69 L-36 once addvertized as a original 427 390 HP car. Until I realized it had a replacement 454 in it block matching that of a 72. Just feel like a 68-69 should have a 427 and a 70-74 a 454, and not for just resale value.

 

I'll keep the "extra cash" in my bank account, thanks!

 

The matching number crowd is all well and good but not my cup of tea. I just don't like when they preach (without being asked) at a cruise or at a show about what is wrong with someone's Corvette. I hate when someone's nice day is ruined with an unrequested critique of factory originality.

 

The fact that a "numbers matching" block can be all new inside shows the folly of all this nonsense.

 

...Wait a minute...I always thought my way was the correct way. By the way I agree. My vette barely has numbers much less matching. And I enjoy it just as much!

 

Here's my 2c worth. I have a '79 and, as far as I can tell, it's pretty much original. New tires and mufflers, of course, and the passenger-side window was replaced sometime in the past.

On one level, this appeals to me, the fact that most of the components still work OK. On the other hand, I think a little chrome under the hood is very attractive.

So, guess what one of my next projects is going to be. I'll keep the items I replace, but I'm going to go with what I think looks nice. My name is on the title and a '79 ain't exactly a collector's dream.

Now, on a more-important note: I wear a Corvette hat to cover my thinning gray hair, and I do have somewhat of a beer-belly. And, maybe, sometimes, I get some beer foam in my beard. Most of the time, I think I look fairly presentable. So, that said, do you think I'm doing OK, or should I get the velco sneakers to complete the look?

 

I wouldn't sweat it. You have beautiful Corvette. Unless you want it to be an investment and/or museum piece, drive it and enjoy it. That's how I see getting the most value out of having a Vette. Just my .02 cents.

 

numbers - schmumbers.

Unless its a ZL1 or maybe an L88, who gives a rats arzz -really.

B...

 

I say for the guys that want to do the #'s matching go for it. That is not for me with my car or my guns all modified. I do what I do for me not for anybody else. If they like it fine if they dont who cares. But it is funny to hear the lecture. plus my #'s match a lot of things

 

I wonder how many of these matching numbers cars are actually truely legit. You may have found parts that are correct date and numbers but to have an all original is almost impossible on a 30+ year old car. There are many restamps and made numbers cars out there that most are not even aware of. More 435 horse cars now than were ever made. As you can tell I'm not much into matching numbers. If that is what you do great but don't snub or think your car is better than someone elses. I have seen a lot of matching number cars that don't run or run like crap because they are never driven.