There should be numbers on the engine pad that match the last 5 numbers of the vin. Those "matching numbers" would indicate the engine is original to the car. The original manual trans is also stamped with the vin, but that can be a little harder to find unless you put the car up on a lift. I would also check the trim plate inside the drivers door to see what the original paint and interior are supposed to be. Beyond that, it's just a matter of how deep into numbers you want to go, or what the seller is claiming. I hate to see cars advertised as "all numbers match" because to support that you have to start checking numbers and dates on carbs, water pumps, fuel pumps, mirrors..... even the jack has a date!

The vin stamped parts (engine and trans) are important because you cant honestly replace them as original. Pretty much all the other parts it just comes down to $$, sometimes lots of $$. For example, I can get a perfectly good Qjet for my car that looks and functions exactly like the original one for around $150 - 200, but if I want to get a Qjet that has the right number on it (not to mention the date), the core would cost me at least $500.

So I am guessing it is very common to find cars advertised as "all numbers match" but if you looked at them very closely you might find that some parts are maybe close but not truly matching...... and surprise surprise! the true matching #s part costs $500 while the almost correct part costs $79.99.

So just to beat it to death: Even if you are only looking at a driver, I think it is important to know if the engine/ trans are original, and the paint/interior are as original, if only to help you determine the $ value of the car. MJ

 

Another number to look for is the block casting number. It is usually located on the drivers side, near the bell housing. That number should precede your build date. If not, it isn't original. My car has the original block. I consider original engine and matching numbers engine to be two different things.

 

MNJack is right on!! "Numbers matching" is much, much more than just checking the engine pad, tranny and rear end. NCRS guys can go on forever on this topic.

Mine is virtually an all numbers matching car with the exception of the alternator, starter and soft top. I replaced the fan belts and hoses before they wore out but still have the originals. The car has a little over 30K miles and still even has the original brake pads. I replaced the struts with VBP struts and the rear spring but sand blasted the original parts and kept them.

I don't drive this car much except for an occaisonal cruise and homecoming parade but if I ever decide to sell her I am confident the next owner won't be dissapointed when they start checking the numbers. :cheers:

 

:yesnod: There are engine builders that will deliver to you a "matching #s" block, restamped to match your VIN. I even saw in the Corvette and Chevy Trader magaze classifieds, a guy who will rent you an original GM gangstamp, or stamp your block for you if you send it to him.

JB

 

JB is totally right, any part can be faked, and usually is, it's just a game, believe what you want to believe...ME, I would not pay a cent more for a matching car over any other combination, cars are nothing but a collection of parts and sub assemblys, so to me it is original if I put it on there, if someone else did it, it may or may not be correct....
MY car built MY way to MY specs, not by some governemnt bureaucrat, not by some hurried assembly line worker, not by some understaffed engineering team, not by some cost accountant, or some cheapest supplier on record....and certainly not put together from someone's idea of 'original' meaning 'worn out' parts......

GENE :D :D :eek: :eek: :cool:

 

To me it boils dow to this. are you buying the car for YOU or as an investment? if for YOU, are you going to restore it to NCRS? your are you going to mod it to your own tastes? If NCRS and / or investment is the answer, look for the numbers matching. if not, there are lots of sweet vettes with 383's, converted to BB, suspension mods, ect that may (and should) factor in on if you want her or not

 

Rick, to me "Matching Numbers" is when the price I'm willing to give and the asking price finially "MATCH !"

Seriously, If I was in to NCRS cars that were trailered and had the little spring stickers on the springs and such then I would certainly be looking for details of that nature.

But to pass up an extremely nice car with an incorrect block for a car that was a little frayed on the edges because of NUMBERS...................Well, I would rather have the nicer car for my personel pleasure.

I know you have really searched and are really looking for that special car with your name on it, but don't hurry, it'll come by and when you see it, you'll know that this is the one.

I have a "80 with 50K on it sitting in my garage that has been there for 10 yrs and and I really haven't enjoyed it because it was a low HP stock Vette and I really hated to change it over to a "Street Car" with a different running gear because of several of my friends cringing everytime I mentioned dropping in a killer engine and trans and going through the suspension to my taste.

Well finially I said $%@ 'M and the project is on. So I really guess it boils down to what do YOU WANT! So go for what you want and not as someone else advises you to get.And get what you want when you buy, not something that someone else thinks you need.

That's one thing about the Corvette, It can be anything you want it to be,from a showroom beauty to a full out race car.

Good Luck, JIM :yesnod:

 

JB hit the nail on the head. Matching numbers may be the most maligned term in the car hobby. It's gotten to the point where what's stamped on the front doesn't mean nearly what it used to. The one important term if you're looking for numbers is "THE" original motor. Matching numbers is different strokes to different fokes.

 

Isn't "Matching numbers" pulling the same amount out of your wallet that he will take for the vette....:yesnod: and Non-Matching number car the one you walk away from shaking your head becuase he wants about a billion dollars more than what it is worth...
:lol:
Neil in Tenn

 

Ah, yes. "Matching Numbers"- the ruination of the Corvette hobby. Heck- If they don't match, just go rent a stamping machine, like all the Vette restorers are wont to do. Either that , or you can buy the new part already restamped.
Matching Numbers? -on a 30 year old HOT ROD?- think about that one.
Lesson here is:
If you like the car, buy it! Matching #'s are usually for people who don't know any better.
My 2c.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

 

I don't see what your ridicule is all about :confused: . Why the ruination of a hobby? It's a little more than just a hobby for me and has been for years. I don't ridicule those that prefer to mod their Stingray's. That's up to them but there is certainly a niche, and market, for original cars from way back when and IF I choose not to alter mine and attempt to keep it in the same condition as an authentic example of the model from 28 years ago than why do I (we) have to be looked down upon??

Matching #s are for people that don't know any better? :bs Gimme a break! I think you've got some pretty sharp wheels and have obviously done quite a bit of work on them and that's cool. It's your choice. I've chosen to keep mine the way it came. Just because you've personalized your vehicle doesn't make you any better than those that choose to maintain a factory authentic car.



[Modified by Cajun75, 12:22 AM 9/2/2002]

 

My thoughts are in agreement with yours. I am proud of the originality of my 1979 (#10002). But chacun son gout! There is room for many types of Corvette enthusiasts and tastes. We all have varied reasons for having our cars and also how we use them.

And this is NOT a re-stamp....Motor date of October 27, 1978 for a car that carries a production date of November 6, 1978 (the latter info from GM Canada).








[Modified by paul79, 11:45 AM 9/2/2002]


[Modified by paul79, 11:48 AM 9/2/2002]

 

I didn't say at all that I was, or my cars were BETTER than anyone with a "factory authentic car". And NO ONE is "looking down on" anyone. All I'm saying is that the "Matching Numbers" thing shouldn't be worshipped like a false god. Mostly because almost all the high-performance, highest-priced "demand" Corvettes have had MAJOR parts replacement surgery over the years, because NOBODY that owned them bought them to pick up groceries with......
The FEW HP Classic Vettes that are left intact weren't driven hardly at all- those cars, and those cars ALONE, are "factory authentic". Most of the others are "factory authentic -STYLE". In other words, the parts REPLACED were "stock- style" parts- NOT THE ORIGINAL COMPONENT.
As for all the other regular low-optioned stock matching numbers Corvettes- they're really not a prime collectible, IMHO, and they'll never be highly valuable. They are still beautiful automobiles, though- I LOVE my '79! One of the reasons I modded the '79 was because they made 53,000 of them, rendering it the least valuable of all the C-3's. On the other hand, I bought the '67 with the mods on it, and they're coming off, precisely because of the demand and scarcity of the model.
What I tried to say was that many Corvette dealers and restorers play a huge crooked game with the "numbers" thing, and that it ruins the hobby. They drive prices through the roof, and that's only good if you're planning on leaving the hobby forever. As soon as you try to replace or upgrade from the car you sold for a so-called profit, because of all the maneuvering and machinations of these clowns, therein goes your "profit".
My 2c.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod: