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
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
Comment