The History of "Matching Numbers"

[Tom B.]

In the early 1970's (pre-1974, pre-NCRS), I was looking to purchase my first Corvette. I was still a teenager at the time and I'm sure I'm still considered to be a wet-behind-the-ears youngster by some here today (some things will never change ). Right this minute I don't readily have an example of the sort of newspaper or magazine advertizing from those times at hand, but I do recall the numerous "Corvette For Sale" ads I read which were distinctly worded with "matching numbers".

In those earlier times, if I'm not mistaken, "matching numbers" was a good indication that a particular Corvette for sale had not yet been "trashed", "thrashed", "stripped down", "raced", or for all practical purposes...it hadn't been ran-ragged until the engine was blown. "Matching Numbers" signified a sort of "quality" that someone could still lay their hands on. Even in those times before the "restorers" and the "counterfeiters" became prominent, original engine muscle or sports cars (not just Corvettes) had a saleable quality that could at the least "hold their value". Maybe "matching numbers" also had something to do with the way a trade-in or a used car salesman looked at the automobile.

Anyhow, in today's terminology I think the meaning is obvious to most everyone here, that the term "matching numbers" is a derivative of what it used to mean...and maybe it has even evolved the way Roy has so eloquently stated earlier. Does anyone else recall advertising their Corvette for sale (or buying one from an ad) during the '60's or '70's with "matching numbers". TBarr #24014

[Wayne P.]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

My recollection is that matching numbers came into use as people started to remanufacture Vettes(and other makes)that no longer had original components. This was accelerated my large Vette dealers using this terminology to avoid law suits by claiming original. Until all this money came into play, nobody knew or cared about matching numbers.

[Loren L.]

"Matching Numbers" to me has always

been a red flag, a signal to ask "Is it the oriiginal engine?".

[Roy S.]

You hit the nail on the head *NM*

[Mark Milner]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

I looked back at a couple of newspaper clippings from '74, '78, and '86. I didn't see any with "matching numbers" in it. I did see "low mileage", "mint", "excellent", and so on. I didn't see any with "original engine".

I did see that several were listing that the engine was different, such as "rebuilt 350", a '69 with "72 LT1 engine", and so one. "Blueprinted" was in some of the '86 ads but not the earlier.

I don't remember anyone really talking "matching numbers" until several of the books like "The Corvette Black Book" in 1978. Not too many had figured out the numbering system then and frankly, most didn't care. It was a time when fast was in, NCRS was small and few and only '53 to '62, and Bloomington catered as much to the customs and to the restored cars.

I remember a lot of 396 Vettes, Vettes with 302s, and a host of 327 straight axle cars. People drove them, drove the snot out of them really, and used them for everything Zora had built them for. About the only ones I can remember as being all stock and original were ones owned by old men and women. And not very common. I think there are a lot more "orginal" cars now than there were 25 years ago.

The first Corvettes I can remember being "stored" for long periods were the '78 Pace Cars. While the logic (?) was right about making them low mileage collectors, it seemed that a lot of people had more money than sense to spend so much money on a car they loved to have it sit in a garage and never be driven.

[Tom B.]

Loren, you've always been known to...

...ask the right questions . I was young and naive, once. TBarr #24014

[Paul B.]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

I picked up an '80s Hemming's at a local swap meet and looked at the midyear ads. I was AMAZED how many cars said, "new engine", "new '69 L-88 motor", "new GM 454 engine", etc., etc. I wonder today how many of "those" cars are now "matching numbers"!!!!!

[Dick W.]

Re: Loren, you've always been known to...

Don't give Loren too much praise. It will make his head swell. Lawyers do not need any extra help

[Mike Sasser]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

When I sold my completely original 20,000 mile 79 a couple of years ago, I advertised it as that...........100% completely original but people kept asking me is it a numbers matching car?

[John M.]

Re: "Matching Numbers" to me has always

Loren,
Therein lies the problem. The only way I could ever tell anybody that the engine was original is if I had owned the car since new! I would rather understate a car and not have somebody mad at me down the road, by saying a car had an original engine only to find out later it did not. Granted, I have owned cars that I was 99% sure had original engines, but I am still uncomfortable stating it as fact when I sell the car. I really like base engine cars, especially powerglide cars, so it is very unlikely that such a car has been re-stamped, but as prices go up, you never know......

Regards, John McGraw

[Rick A.]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

Mike,

Just pontificating here after your posting: wouldn't the fact that you listed the car as "all original" also signify the fact that the "numbers matched"? Help me to figure out what I am missing here!! I have always claimed I only have a single brain cell, so maybe I have answered my own question! (VBG)

[Joe C.]

Exactly Right, Loren *NM*

[Joe C.]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

Rick:

Apparently, the folks who asked the question did not understand the following:

"Original drivetrain" also means "matching numbers"

"Matching numbers" does not necessarily mean "original"

"Matching numbers" is a nice sounding term, used by lots of those used car salesmen who also sell snake oil.

Joe

[Rick A.]

Re: The History of "Matching Numbers"

Joe,

thanks! thought my single brain cell went kaput! (VBG)

[Ed S.]

Re: "Matching Numbers" - - Swap Meet Definition

....when a vendor at a recent swapmeet was questioned, and then subsequently "cornered" with regard to the part's originality by a knowledgeable potential customer, the vendor replied "Well...the numbers match what's stamped on the part don't they?" Wow...so that's how definitions evolve!