What's all the fuss over "Numbers Matching" after rebuild ?

[Lord Warlock]

Not every rebuild in the past involved replacing pistons.  Used to be just changing the main and rod bearings, new rings and cleaning up the heads and valves was considered to be an engine rebuild.  boring out the cylinders was the playground of racers and heavy modders, who usually swapped out camshaft and added headers, and they usually didn't care much about "matching numbers" at least not then. I know I cared ...about 2 years AFTER I tossed the original block out for a hairline main journal crack, I never cared if the transmission didn't match though, I tossed the original transmission when I installed the replacement engine/transmission back in 82.

While I've always thought of my car as NOT being a top line collectible primarily because of the non matching motor and trans, I didn't think it would be much of a deduction since the motor I put in was an original 69 HP2 out of another 69 RT charger.  I am however satisfied that its body is original and now restored but should have the same performance as the original motor had. 
Having a matching number car is always a good thing, but it isn't the only thing.  I place a lot more importance on the rest of the cars condition. 20 years ago no one cared about anything but the engine size being a 440 or higher, 383's were the dark haired stepchildren, and if anyone brought up a 318 or six cylinder we wouldn't let them play in our reindeer games, and usually laughed at them behind their backs.  We were so mean back then. 

[rt green]

numbers matching doesn't mean a thing to me. just as long as its the same brand and age of the body. yeah, I'm old school.