VIN important?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 457
Likes: 54
From: Dallas, Oregon
VIN important?
I read about many fellows changing their LS1 engines out of their C5's to LS2, LS3, etc. Do matching numbers no longer matter? I need some bottom end work, but would just change out the engine if I weren't concerned with losing the matching numbers on my 45k '99 C5. Are those matching VINs irrelevant now?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Numbers matching really only matters on older collector's cars, or possibly high end exotics. Unless you have an '03AE or an '04CE, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Even if you do have an AE or CE, I wouldn't be all that worried about it. People who are buying these cars don't care if they're numbers matching. They care that they're in good condition and running well.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
Matching numbers is unbelievably stupid, useless garbage even on rarer collector cars. Just some silly mumbo jumbo made up to drive up prices of collector cars. If the car runs and drives like new and has the exact same engine with a different serial number, how does that provide more value?? That's a rhetorical question.
/rant
/rant
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
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From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I agree with all, but my question would be if buying a Corvette of any year, why was the motor replaced? Unless there is documented evidence that the car was not abused (racing, lack of proper maintenance, etc.) I would pass. JMHO.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 633
From: Dallas TX
The VIN's are not stamped on any of the newer motors from what I know. Not sure what year that ended, but I think at least back in the c4 range...
So there is no such thing as "numbers matching" anymore...
So there is no such thing as "numbers matching" anymore...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: . New York
Numbers matching really only matters on older collector's cars, or possibly high end exotics. Unless you have an '03AE or an '04CE, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Even if you do have an AE or CE, I wouldn't be all that worried about it. People who are buying these cars don't care if they're numbers matching. They care that they're in good condition and running well.
Just enjoy your car, do what you want to do.
If you're changing the engine, I doubt you're doing that for a lesser performing engine :-)
And that is the way the next owner will see it when you trade up to a C8 :-)
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Matching numbers on a C5 really is not all that important IMO. As long as the car is in good shape (both mechanically and cosmetically), that would be the most important thing to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Never understood people freaking over an orignal anything. Hell, if i was buying and found they got a new engin/trans under warranty it would appeal to me more.
Collector type stuff stopped in the early 70s. Mod as you wish life is too short about building for the next guy...who knows what they want anyhow?
Collector type stuff stopped in the early 70s. Mod as you wish life is too short about building for the next guy...who knows what they want anyhow?
