Matching this, matching that...

[don duick]

Technically a RT by todays standards is no big Deal. More fun to have a non RT and modify it mechanically to bring it up to todays standards. Leave the appearance stock, trying to change anything here is like reinventing the wheel.

[1974dodgecharger]

If u want to make money rebuild a Chevy......holy cow they r so cheap to make and sell......

[Ghoste]

Or a Mustang.

[myk]

Yeah, and then you can blend right in with the yawn and shine crowd with all of the other Mustangs and Chevy's...

[Ghoste]

Exactly.   
I never was into this as a way of making money.

[303 Mopar]

If u want to make money rebuild a Chevy......holy cow they r so cheap to make and sell......

Everything for Mopar is 3x Chevy and Ford, and harder to find.  For the $$ I spent on my 408 stroker in my '71 Challenger, I could have had 3 Chevy 350's.  But I would still rather be the only '68 Charger, or '70 Cuda at the show rather than "oh, there's another '67 Mustang/Camaro".

[charlie45]

well, to say I don't care based on the title of this thread would be wrong....

If I didn't care at all, I wouldn't have posed the question in the first place...

Its natural to ask particularly when the bills start adding up: Ray Barton Hemi for over 20k, numerous summit part orders for 5-10k, and let me not begin with the topic paint/body work...

So no matter how much money you have, you generally never want to feel like you're doing something completely idiotic (at least that's how I feel...) Despite that I am very passionate about my cars, and particularly now this build...!

So when I see the value of classic cars and how prices have developed over the past years, than it is normal to ask this question and how relevant the whole "matching this and matching that is..."

[Challenger340]

So, it would seem that from the majority of imput on this topic, most feel "numbers" type rare HEMI, R/T or R/T SE cars should be maintained mostly original and be preserved, especially if they are still "surviving" type examples ?
and,
that modifications and the "do as you want" mindset, should be relegated to non-numbers or 318 Cars ?

Just confirms what I pretty much already knew ? that I am a glorified JANITOR, or rather "curator" if I wish to maintain best value in the asset.

I knew there was a reason I went to great lengths finding a vintage set of O.E.M., no longer made P225 70R 14 BFG Radial TA's from the 1990's, so as to leave the original 14" Magnum 500 road wheels intact, with a 27.5" diameter tire instead of go cart 14" tires.(These Cars look retarded with small diameter tires, but that's all left out there these days).

Too funny, the current P225 70R 14's on it were dated 1984(worn rears).

[hollywood1336]

I think there has been a lot of good input in this thread, except for the suggestion at buying Chevy's or Ford's.
Alaskan_TA has two original 318 cars which I think is brilliant. Mine was originally a 318 car, but to restore it as a 318 car (based on the condition it was in) made no sense for the amount of money I was going to dump into it. Having said that, my 318 motor ran like a sewing machine. If it had been in great condition I wouldn't have touched it.
I built and own my dream car for me. Just because some guy offered big $ for it doesn't mean that's what it's worth ,it only meant he has more money that sense. I definitely didn't build it to sell.
In the end it's your decision and your money, being a Mopar you better have a big budget, but in the end, whatever direction you take, I'm sure you will love the result. Your opinion is the only one that matters.

[HeavyFuel]

Numbers matching has value - but it is not always about monetary value.

Respect for history comes in to play for me. I have two 318 cars that are numbers matching & they have made it 45 years without losing their original numbered components, so out of respect for that, they will not be changed while I own them.

They are fun to drive exactly as they were built, that is where the true value is for me, it has nothing to do with money.

Right on.....I have the same philosphy.

Will my numbers motor sit in a tub of Cosmoline while I flog an under-the-hood stunt double?    Not likely.

Although, having a secondary goal of a having a better running/safer machine, I've upgraded/modified certain parts as necessary.  Like installing a reliable modern dizzy to replace the points system.  Rebuilt Firm Feel steering box.  Stuff like that.

[Ghoste]

I have to admit I'm guilty of the stunt double engine. 

[myk]

well, to say I don't care based on the title of this thread would be wrong....

If I didn't care at all, I wouldn't have posed the question in the first place...

Its natural to ask particularly when the bills start adding up: Ray Barton Hemi for over 20k, numerous summit part orders for 5-10k, and let me not begin with the topic paint/body work...

So no matter how much money you have, you generally never want to feel like you're doing something completely idiotic (at least that's how I feel...) Despite that I am very passionate about my cars, and particularly now this build...!

So when I see the value of classic cars and how prices have developed over the past years, than it is normal to ask this question and how relevant the whole "matching this and matching that is..."

Many people who post in message boards do so because they're trying to get public justification and approval from others so they can feel more righteous about their decisions.  There's nothing wrong with that, I do it all the time, as I usually know the answer to my own questions but still seeking input.  I was speculating that this was your angle as well.

But like Ghoste has said, classic cars can never be about money.  It's a financially irresponsible and emotionally reckless way to go about it.  Therefore, just follow your heart and do what you want to, public opinion and future fiscal concerns be damned...

[MxRacer855]

I agree with everyone.
I have a base model 383 with a non-numbers matching motor, and didn't feel the least bit bad about building the car the way I want it.
I'm definitely putting 6 digits into this car whether it comes close to bringing in the money or not. I definitely have no intent on ever getting anything even close to what I'm putting into it, but with that (like all of us have said), I don't ever plan on selling the car.
It makes me happy to build it this way, and that's the only way I've ever wanted to do it... so I am. Regardless of value down the road. Unless it's an R/T or Hemi... no loss.

Jeff

[Ghoste]

And the great thing about the car hobby is that there is room for all.

[MxRacer855]

And the great thing about the car hobby is that there is room for all.

Well put ghoste! 
Despite how untasteful some builds may be... we can respect them all.


Jeff

[charlie45]

And the great thing about the car hobby is that there is room for all.

given you have a large enough garage and wallet...

[Pedal2Metal]

The Yellow 70 Charger you see here was a Ray Barton Hemi, mod front end, dana rear end, ac added, really done well, originally a 318, no fender tag. Sold it at Mecum in January and did not get my money back. Short about 10% plus I had transport and auction cost. I have a numbers matching 69 Shelby where I took the original block and innards out, pickled them, and then replaced with new and put the original heads, intake, carb, etc back on. This way I feel better about driving it and getting it on now and then. My 71 Hemi Cuda 4 Speed Vert is not all original (duh), but almost all NOS parts, and it's worth more than I have in it. I agree with the general view that the "rarer" the car the more you should ("must" in some people's view) leave it alone. And let's say you have a good 440 car but no fender tag, no biggie, get the factory details on the car from the VIN (not always but often available) and get a repop fender tag made, and try to leave the car stock or at least such that you can "put it back to stock" (i.e. don't cut it and don't throw stuff away or sell it off the car). If you have a kinda plain jane car, and you wanna mod it, then try to save any "rarer" or key "matching" stuff that you plan on taking off (like radio, ac, tranny, block, wheels) and keep for the future. Just my two cents. I believe in individual property rights too, so do what you want. But it would be sad, or a tragedy, depending on the car, to not respect its provenance.   

[c00nhunterjoe]

My right tires match my left. I think thats about where my numbers matching ends.....

[1974dodgecharger]

If we are talking about being a curator (janitor) and maintain values on these cars I guess I be a junk yard owner Im decreasing the value of my car on my 68 by adding aftermarket items to it, lol. 

[Ghoste]

Who knows, the next owner might see all your changes as adding value. 

[cavemanno1]

I for one don't care about the numbers but over here in Hungary the authorities demand to have a classic car with number matching drivetrain.Crazy but i can not even change the points out for electronic ignition even tho it would improve driveability or put a 440 into a 383 car!Last year they BANNED all American cars with red indicators but in order to register them the cars have to be just like they came from the factory meaning with red indicators!Now they changed this and these cars can only be driven(legally) in bright daylight or with someone escorting them!   Make no sense but they do what the hell they want over here!No disk brake or a original drum car,might get away with an auto converted to 4 speed if 4 speed was available in that year but trans has to be date correct!I mean come on why the hell would they want a car to the tinyest details since they never actually seen one!My '69 charger was the only one ever in the country,ever!I would understand not to fit new gen engines in it or go crazily modified since they want to preserve the car originality but with red taillight and electronic ignition being a problem is over my understanding!
You guys don't how lucky you are over there!

[1974dodgecharger]

I for one don't care about the numbers but over here in Hungary the authorities demand to have a classic car with number matching drivetrain.Crazy but i can not even change the points out for electronic ignition even tho it would improve driveability or put a 440 into a 383 car!Last year they BANNED all American cars with red indicators but in order to register them the cars have to be just like they came from the factory meaning with red indicators!Now they changed this and these cars can only be driven(legally) in bright daylight or with someone escorting them!   Make no sense but they do what the hell they want over here!No disk brake or a original drum car,might get away with an auto converted to 4 speed if 4 speed was available in that year but trans has to be date correct!I mean come on why the hell would they want a car to the tinyest details since they never actually seen one!My '69 charger was the only one ever in the country,ever!I would understand not to fit new gen engines in it or go crazily modified since they want to preserve the car originality but with red taillight and electronic ignition being a problem is over my understanding!
You guys don't how lucky you are over there!

HOLY COW!!!  You can say all the, 'matching numbers' are overseas 

[Ghoste]

What would you put other than the red?

[MxRacer855]

My right tires match my left. I think thats about where my numbers matching ends.....

       

[cavemanno1]

What would you put other than the red?

Sorry meant to say indicator!All cars has amber indicator here!