Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

[Joe R.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Mike,

Can you post a picture of the stamp? Folks on here will comment on it and tell you what they like or don't like about it.

Joe

[Gene M.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

I thank you all for your responses. The reason this issue came up is I found a car on ebay that boasts "matching #'s" so I had one of our NCRS brothers have a look at it. His response was, "take a pass on this car" because the engine stamp looked a little funny. Now I've looked at this engine stamp 10 times and don't see anything wrong with it but then I'm not that experienced with C2 corvettes yet. So now moving forward I was thinking of the Barrett Jackson Auction in Palm Beach because I could probably find an NCRS brother to help me out at that auction. Thoughts???

Look for only original cars. Nothing restored is generally what you expect it to be. Basic cars, base engine cars, without big blocks have a much better chance of being real.

[Loren L.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

The word I heard a lot today at B-J was "updated", as in "updated to an LS6"; joins "Tribute", "recreation", etc. But "ready for restoration" remains my favorite.

[Gene M.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Does not "ready for restoration" mean it is not road worthy?

[Tom D.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Last year, I helped a young man look at a green '69 coupe stored in Hamden, CT. The owner said (and still claims) that his "CE" replacement engine should qualify as a "matching number engine". His reason? Simply because GM sold it to him in 1971, as a "correct match" for his blown original short block.

[Rick A.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

owner can claim all he wants - again up to buyer to perform due diligence - caveat emptor can NOT be repeated enough............

[Peter G.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

I have watched some Corvettes at BJ go across the block and the Corvettes that Roy reviews that the car is what the owner claims it to be for NCRS.. A sticker is applied to the passenger side front windshield.

I believe BJ also has someone familiar with Mustangs doing the same evaluations for them.

I would imagine that paying these two experts is cheaper than going to court for Barrett-Jackson.

[Michael G.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

There shouldn't be any great mystery about the intended meaning and significance of matching numbers. In the realm of collector vehicles it is understood to mean that the cylinder case identification numbers match the chassis identification numbers. It may or may not be a restamp; that is a question best answered by a professional forensic evaluation.

[Loren L.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

"Matching numbers" was invented as a diversionary response to the question "Does it have the original engine or transmission or differential?" and was immediately adopted as a substitute for "No.", because some buyers would accept it. The "No" answer might be fatal to some buyers; people purchasing race cars that have been campaigned for a year or more need not be threatened by the "No" - _____ happens; A/C equipped PG cars should be more concerned. As a buyer, if "original motor/drivetrain" is crucially important to you. "matching numbers" is a "walk-away" answer.
BUT, after 50 years, it may easily be a question that the current owner cannot ACCURATELY answer.

[Mike L.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Here is the stamp in question.

[Michael W.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Impossible to give any assurance with a painted surface and a poorly lit, out of focus photograph.

[Rich G.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

So a VW bus from 1965 with only one brake light working just went fo $275K. Imagine if they both worked! Also the 67 L89 coupe only brought $95K. I suspect it wasn't "documented " properly😀

[Patrick B.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Here is the stamp in question.

The details are hard to see in this picture, but the V0609 part contains some distinct and correct characters, and the few vin characters visible also look good. We do see a number of blocks with the suffix letters stamped outside the gang holder and they can look pretty hokey but still be original. If you like this car otherwise, you should not give up on it yet. Ask the owner to remove the paint from the pad with some lacquer thinner and take some good pictures.

[William F.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Michael,
I think that's what most people understand "matching numbers " to be. BUT, buyer must then try to determine if this is original motor if that's important to him. Lots of restamps. Some say there are some with experience and data that can tell a restamp from factory. But also remember, if a stamp "appears to be consistent with factory" to an NCRS judge , , well maybe, or maybe it is original or a good restamp. So, there you and we go.

[Joseph S.]

Re: Barrett Jackson & Matching #'s

Just the way I like them, ready for restorationa and not road worthy!!!