I'm in the process of buying a 1959 230hp. The owner states that the block and heads are matching numbers. Is this considered a matching number car. Where should I look to verify that he is correct. Thanks
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Re: matching numbers
Well, 'matching numbers' doesn't mean all that much because virtually EVERY part on the car had some kind of number + date code. Those cars that are advertized as 'matching numbers' typically refer to simply the engine block (maybe more if the seller is savvy), but it'd be better to ask if the engine and heads he refers to are actually the car's ORIGINAL parts.
What I'm getting at is the 'numbers' on these parts might well match the car but they were 'borrowed' from a Chevy passenger car or truck built in a similar timeframe. That could make them 'numbers matching' but NOT the car's factory original components....
A lot here depends on what your end game is. Are you buying a nice 'ride' for a classic car, weekend warrior, application or are you buying an 'investment grade' Corvette that'll stand the test of time and judging? The two objectives are quite different from a cost and pre-sale verification viewpoint. -
Re: matching numbers
Rick,
Almost everybody who uses the phrase "matching numbers" is referring to the cylinder case (engine block) matching a portion of the bodys vin plate numbering sequence, however they didn't stamp any numbers to match the VIN plate until sometime in 1960....so if he's got a numbers matching car, I'd sure find out what he thinks it matches to.Comment
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