Matching #'s - Which #'s Actually Match
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Matching #'s - Which #'s Actually Match
I've been wanting to ask this since I got my Vette less than a year ago. Without having to buy the Black Book, if I saw a matching numbers ad I would expect the VIN to match the engine block, transmission, and maybe the differential. My question is: What numbers in the VIN are supposed to match the components of the car? Surely it's not all. Are the numbers going to be the same, or does a particular set of VIN numbers match a totally different but unique set of numbers on the block, trans, and diff? If so, I guess I'd have to get that from the black book. I know lots of you know these answers, so please respond for all us new Vette owners. Thanks. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford TX
I'm not an expert on this but since no one else chimed in......here is my take on the subject. It depends 
. Some call it a car with a VIN that matches the car and motor. Others will include the transmission, and maybe the differental. Still others will say a true matching numbers vehicle is every number on it is corrrect for that year. Most of the parts do not have a vin number on them. The frame has a vin number on it. Most of the other parts have a part number on them and a date code. For the date code to be correct the part could not be made after the car was made.
The main thing is that if you are in the process of buying a vehicle is that you understand what the seller means by matching numbers. Matching numbers means alot of different things to different people. If you are buying a matching numbers vehicle nad the price is based on "matching Numbers" you should verify it yourself or have an appraisal done. That way you know what you are getting.
. Some call it a car with a VIN that matches the car and motor. Others will include the transmission, and maybe the differental. Still others will say a true matching numbers vehicle is every number on it is corrrect for that year. Most of the parts do not have a vin number on them. The frame has a vin number on it. Most of the other parts have a part number on them and a date code. For the date code to be correct the part could not be made after the car was made. The main thing is that if you are in the process of buying a vehicle is that you understand what the seller means by matching numbers. Matching numbers means alot of different things to different people. If you are buying a matching numbers vehicle nad the price is based on "matching Numbers" you should verify it yourself or have an appraisal done. That way you know what you are getting.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Matching numbers generally means that the engine and transmission match the VIN. In addition, all other items on the car, from the radiator to the rear end have the correct (plausible?!) date codes and or casting casting numbers to be consistent with the VIN number and consequently the build date.
