Newbie Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
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From: Salt Lake City ut
Newbie Question
Just purchased our 1974, in the process of finding her we saw a lot about "all Matching numbers" . I understand this shows if the motor was the original one but are there other parts with numbers that should mathc the car? How much value is there in leaving it "matching"? we were thinking of dropping a larger c.u. motor in it!
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Most people will tell you to set the original engine in a corner of the garage, dont'n sell it, and that's what I would do. On a 74 it probably doesn't make a big dollar difference unless it's a big block, though. It MIGHT add $1000 to the value of the car. I know it doensn't make a big differnce on my 79 (becuase they aren't high dollar cars to start with) but I'd keep the original engine if I took it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
The tranny, rear diff will also have the numbers. You can go crazy with this because there are a ton of parts with date codes ie; distributor, brake rotors, surge tank, even the rally rims etc.. that are correct of any given car.
If you swap the original engine, keep and prep it properly for storage, because the car will have more value if you decide to sell it down the line.
If you swap the original engine, keep and prep it properly for storage, because the car will have more value if you decide to sell it down the line.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You will get varying opinions on this. There is a group (of which I am a member) which places a high value on original matching numbers cars and will pay that value at sale time. There is also a group (which I respect) who do not care about the numbers.
If your 74 is original and has matching numbers, why not leave her that way? Someone kept her that was for 33 years.
If your 74 is original and has matching numbers, why not leave her that way? Someone kept her that was for 33 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
If you decide NOT to keep it matching numbers, DO NOT throw anything away in case you or a future owner want to put it back to original.
Take it from someone (me ) who learned this lesson the hard way. I made changes to my 68 (owned it since 1972) and didn't realize that many of the parts I gave or threw away had numbers on them. Well I spent thousands of dollars getting those numbers back.
Put the stuff you take off, (if you remove anyhting) on a shelf. Even if you don't want it, if you ever sell the car a future owner may give you more for it becasue you have the parts or you can sell the car to one person and sell all the other left over parts to others and make money.
You can't lose.
Kurt
Take it from someone (me ) who learned this lesson the hard way. I made changes to my 68 (owned it since 1972) and didn't realize that many of the parts I gave or threw away had numbers on them. Well I spent thousands of dollars getting those numbers back.
Put the stuff you take off, (if you remove anyhting) on a shelf. Even if you don't want it, if you ever sell the car a future owner may give you more for it becasue you have the parts or you can sell the car to one person and sell all the other left over parts to others and make money.
You can't lose.
Kurt
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Matching numbers can mean various things to the people who use the term.
The most simplistic way that people refer to it is that the engine block ID matches the VIN number of the car.
But matching numbers really goes beyond that explanation.
The transmission has a date code. The differential has a date code, the carb, distributor, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, etc. all have either a date or a serial number that shows it belongs on the car. Or maybe could have been on the car at the time of build.
So beware if the owner said it was numbers matching. You may not know what he was actually referring to.
kdf
The most simplistic way that people refer to it is that the engine block ID matches the VIN number of the car.
But matching numbers really goes beyond that explanation.
The transmission has a date code. The differential has a date code, the carb, distributor, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, etc. all have either a date or a serial number that shows it belongs on the car. Or maybe could have been on the car at the time of build.
So beware if the owner said it was numbers matching. You may not know what he was actually referring to.
kdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
There's some good advice here, but you have to make the call. In my case, the original motor needed rebuilt, and I wanted to put a high output motor together. I chose to rebuild the original, but I am running another motor (same year from an impala), with all new high performance parts. I get the best of both worlds, and if I get crazy and blow it up, I am not out an original matching number motor. By the way- there is a growing number of counterfeit matching number cars-know the history before buying into someone's get rich quick deal. Wat
ch out
ch out
