What exactly does “matching numbers” classic car mean? I really could not tell you, because it means different things to different people, and different things on different cars. When you consider all the variables that are possible, it is virtually impossible to produce a universally accurate definition of “matching numbers.”
Basics
This would not be a problem were it not for the fact that many classic car buyers, sellers, and owners bandy this term around as if there were some magic number on every component of every classic car that enables us to tell if the carburetor is original to the engine, which is original to the transmission, which is original to the rear end, which is original to the chassis, which is original to the body. And while we are at it, let us be certain that the cigarette lighter and ash tray are also correct. Unfortunately, this magic number does not exist.
If you are considering buying a classic car that is being represented as “matching numbers,” you better do your homework and find out just what it means for that car. And if you are a seller who is representing a car as “matching numbers,” best to make sure that it really is. With the price being paid for many collector cars today, the old excuse of “The guy I bought the car from told me it was” is not holding up so well in court these days.
Example
An example of a popular collector car will illustrate how complicated this issue can become. Let us look at a 1967 427/435 Corvette. If the car were entirely original, the engine number and transmission number would match the last six digits of the cars VIN (vehicle identification number). If the car were represented as being “matching numbers,” would a potential buyer be entitled to expect that all these numbers match? Some would say yes, and others might say that only the engine number needs to match.
But what about the rear end, carburetor, distributor, alternator, intake and exhaust manifolds, cylinder heads, and a multitude of other items that have part numbers and casting codes? These numbers never matched the individual cars VIN but would indicate if they were used on a 1967 Corvette. What if these numbers on our make-believe car indicate that these parts were never used on a 1967 Corvette? Is this no longer a “matching numbers car?”
But wait! What about the “paint codes” and “trim codes” that are indicated on the “Trim Tag”? Do these need to match the exterior color and interior color of the car? Let us not forget about the “date codes” on all the glass and the mirrors. The list of potential numbers goes on and on.
Therefore, it is so important for a buyer and a seller to clarify exactly what “matching numbers” means to them. In general (and I am sure I will get angry letters about this), the more expensive the car, the more numbers should match.
Let us go back to our 1967 Corvette. On a $75,000 “driver quality” car, a buyer might expect the engine numbers to match, and the transmission numbers as well. I would argue that 75% of the cars intrinsic value is derived from these numbers being correct. But on a $250,000 show car that has achieved “NCRS Topflight” or “Bloomington Gold” status, a buyer might expect each and every number to be correct.
The Cloud
Now that we have that cleared up, what happens when “matching numbers” really are not. The deceptive practice of re-stamping engine parts with the correct “matching numbers” has been around for a long time. This is usually done to enhance the value of a collector car. A seller that gets caught doing this, and ends up in court, will usually offer the excuse that “I said it was matching numbers, and it is. I never said it was the original engine.” Many advertisements will list a car a “matching number” but then go on to indicate that it has a “restoration block.” It is up to you to know that this simply means that the engine block has been re-stamped to include the correct numbers for that car.
1967 Corvettes have lots of numbers that are well-researched and easy to decode. If no fraud is suspected, they are easy to authenticate, particularly for an expert.
Another very popular collector car is the early Ford Mustang. Most of the advertisements that I see for these cars indicate that they are “matching numbers.” I cannot help but wonder what the sellers mean by this as there are no “matching numbers” (except for the very rare K-code engines) on these cars. One can check that certain casting codes and date codes are correct, but not matching numbers.
Finally
When the term a “matching numbers” classic car is used properly, in a manner that is clearly understood as it pertains to an individual car, it can be used to positively quantify the originality of that car. When used improperly, it means nothing at all.
Hi, I have a question about matching vin/Serial # on 85 iroc z camaro, They all match
it is supposed to be rare-called an 1C5
only 502 made
worth keeping together!
not running at this time-electrical issues