Matching Numbers v. non-match numbers v. restomod ...debate

6spdg37s · September 5, 2011

My good friend and his father have a car shop right near my house...

since I am so obsessed with cars I hang out there quite a lot

anyway one day over lunch we got into this debate about a matching number , non matching number, and restomod

Which one would you purchase or not purchase...

The three of us mutually agreed that your best bet is to get a restomod or a non-matching number...

The problem is if you find a matching number, is it fraudulant? could the engine block just be restamped., could the VIN be fake and changed etc;

there are way to many what if's IMO to drop a serious amount of money

on the other hand most resto-mods and non matches are going for 25-40 depending on what car it is ...

seems like it is a pretty steady price and that in time (as these cars get less and less ) they will too increase in value...

while getting a matching number would be an amazing thing it almost seems as if years of research on one particular model would be necessary before you are able to almost guarantee that it is a matching number original true car.

I think that it is an interesting debate... so if your bored..hiding from your wife/gf / significant other/ boss etc; :lol: :lol:

join in !

694doorbird · September 5, 2011

I think it all depends on the type of car and what one does with it.

My Thunderbird is a matching numbers, survivor, WIP (work in progress) car and will remain that way. I have added a couple non-original items to it such as a right hand door mirror and rear tail light monitor. But those could have easily been dealer added items back in '69 also.

Now, if it was a Mustang, Maverick, or such, I wouldn't mind restromodding it and having fun with it.

It always seems that the auctions on TV always make a big deal about it being a numbers matching car more than it being a restro mod. So, I would say if you want it for an investment, keep it original, if you want to have fun with it, mod it, but make it look good,

Golf for Life · September 5, 2011

Matching numbers = more value to collectors of fine automobiles.

bjoeaull · September 5, 2011

It all depends what you want to do to it. If you want a vehicle you aren't going to drive much and are hoping its an investment then go for #'s match. If you want to drive it frequently and enjoy it then probably non matching or modded.

6spdg37s · September 5, 2011

my thoughts exactly if I ever got one I'd want to have fun with it !!!!

TR6speed · September 5, 2011

I did a web page on Corvette History and part of the site has a section on matching numbers. After researching the history on matching numbers there are both pros and cons on it.Whit it comes down to is what you want. As far as Corvette's are concerned if you want to get the big bucks, you want a matching numbers car. If you do a restomod and if done correctly you can still get some big bucks, but to a true Corvette aficionado you want the Numbers Matching car.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o:p></o:p>

I know that if I was going for an investment it would have to be a numbers matching and all the history to prove it is a true car. As you say there have been those that restamp the block as long as they can find a block that has the correct date code on it. This code is not a stamped code but one that is part of the casting of the block.<o:p></o:p>

For a driver, I would go for a good clean well maintained vehicle or a restomod.<o:p></o:p>

lawson4450 · September 5, 2011

i myself like old cars with modern drive trains get the looks and get the performance all in one why have it if you cant drive it.

Kustom_FX · September 5, 2011

As already stated it depends on the vehicle, vehicle condition and personal taste/preference. I know someone that has 2 very sought after Detroit muscle cars that he has had since new. They are true #s matching both with less than 40K on them. One is a 69 ZL1 Camaro, the other a 70 LS6 Chevelle. I have seen them both at his house. I love them both, but for the $ the would command I would rather do a restorod of an older pick up.. say late 60s early 70s. I love old school iron with modern day technology Would love to have On Star in a 69 C-10 and have the adviser come on as im dragging frame down the boulevard! LOL

Vincenzo · September 5, 2011

I'd never buy a matching numbers car, especially one in pristine condition. Any older car I buy will be stripped and rebuilt to my specs. I don't mind if its a 78 Firebird with a 231, 2.55s, and a 2spd, because within a month of me owning it it would have a 4spd, 3.73s and a 455. Cars were meant to be enjoyed, not to sit in a garage all year and then be shipped to a car show so the matching number 6cyl engine can be shown off.

Marylander · September 5, 2011

I'm not sure that in 30 years resto-modded cars will be worth what they cost to buy today... Even modestly modded cars like c5 vettes with superchargers seldom bring any premium over a stock model of the same year -- and i suspect a lot of the heavily modified cars face a long life of beating and abuse as their values drop and the cars go through a series of speed-obsessed drivers.

Resto mods are big today, but you never how what fads and trends will last, except that original, numbers-matching cars will get rarer and rarer and most likely hold or appreciate in value. I also think that generally speaking resto mods are done because the owners enjoy the process process of building the car exactly the way THEY want it, and the joy comes as much from the process as it does from the result. These guys are building these cars for a market of one -- themselves.

MitsukiGT · September 5, 2011

If you find a car built close to what you want who cares what it cost. That is how I bought my 66. The cost to buy the car in stock form and modify it would have probably cost me more than buying it fully modded.

BrianT · September 5, 2011

My Firebird is #'s matching. I would like to do a lot to it, but then it's not going to be worth as much, but then I plan to hand it down to my son, so...

Its a tough call, I think Dan has the right idea!!!

TR6speed · September 5, 2011

I'm not sure that in 30 years resto-modded cars will be worth what they cost to buy today... Even modestly modded cars like c5 vettes with superchargers seldom bring any premium over a stock model of the same year -- and i suspect a lot of the heavily modified cars face a long life of beating and abuse as their values drop and the cars go through a series of speed-obsessed drivers.

Resto mods are big today, but you never how what fads and trends will last, except that original, numbers-matching cars will get rarer and rarer and most likely hold or appreciate in value. I also think that generally speaking resto mods are done because the owners enjoy the process process of building the car exactly the way THEY want it, and the joy comes as much from the process as it does from the result. These guys are building these cars for a market of one -- themselves.

I agree and the real big money on these Restomod's is at the Barrett-Jackson Auctions and I have always said that is just stupid money. I watch a program on the Speed the other night and they were building a Foose designed '69 Camaro. During the show they were watching the Barrett-Jackson Auction to see what one of their s cars was going to sell for. It was a copy of the Mustang from Gone in Sixty Seconds, again a copy and it sold for $550K+ they make these Mustangs whenever anyone orders one. They have a field of old Mustang's that they build these cars or anything a customer wants. $550K is stupid money.

As for modding a car, you will never get back what you put into it unless of course you are a big name and take it to BJ, but for the normal guy out there that mods there car, forget it.

The nice thing about the restomod is you have the best of both worlds, the old car look with the new car features. With a numbers match (real numbers matching) you have an investment and in some cases a piece of automotive history.

Vincenzo · September 6, 2011

Never look at a car as an investment. Never. If you buy a car and in 20 years it happens to be worth more then what you paid, well, you got lucky. I would never bet on a car gaining value, no matter how rare/classic/awesome the car is.

Chris@Adams · September 6, 2011

I would buy a matching #'s car if I could afford it! :banana:

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Matching Numbers v. non-match numbers v. restomod ...debate

Which would you purchase? 21 members have voted

1. Which would you purchase?

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Which would you purchase?
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