Just what is a numbers matching car?

[69 rt]

Hi all,
I here people talk about a numbers matching car, and I must say I am a little ignorant of just how far you go to have a " number matching car". I have the original motor, Tranny, Core support, but I have changed body panels, fenders, hood, interior parts. Can any of you tell me what a guy selling a numbers matching car would have to include? I am sure this has been discussed in the past but I haven't saw it.

Thanks

[Blakcharger440]

Numbers matching for me would definitely have to be that the last VIN numbers on the data plate (located on your inner driver
side fender) match the numbers stamped on the engine VIN pad,transmission ID pad,core support and rear portion of your trunk lip.
Also these numbers would match your broadcast sheet if you are lucky to have it and of course your title to the car.

Another thing since it looks like you own a 69RT your car should also have a ID pad to the right of your distributor just in front of your intake manifold that reads E440 HP if its a 440 car that is....I am sure someone else will chime in with a better description of "numbers matching" than I have given or make some adjustments. 

[triple_green]

Simplistically it means the car has it's original engine and transmission. The numbers stamped on them match the cars VIN. THis is only available after Jan. 1, 1968 for Mopars.

3X

[Doright]

For my self I just go for the engine # and I don't put much value in all the rest although others do.
Too me these cars were meant to be driven and driven hard to expect a 340 383 413 426w 426H or a 440 to survive this long is a miracle in its self but to find a car with a replacement engine doesn't scare me these things were hot rods and got the piss driven out of them. 
Besides new replacement crate engines are a about 1000% better in quality

[bull]

Any part with numbers that match the VIN and/or fender tag such as the engine, trans, radiator core support and trunk frame. There may be more. Other parts such as "body panels, fenders, hoods, interior parts" etc., have part numbers but they aren't specific to the individual car so they don't count toward "numbers matching" bragging rights. Many people hold a certain value to the fact that a car has all its original parts but proving a car is all-original is difficult since those parts don't have the previously mentioned numbers on them.

And not all Chargers after Jan. 1, 1968 have the engine numbers. Only the 383 HP and R/T Chargers have them. I believe they all got stamped in '69 though.

[Lord Warlock]

Traditionally, a numbers matching car is one that has the original motor and body.  There wasn't much emphasis in the past about transmissions or rear axle housing being original, as long as the part was the same as the ones ordered on the car originally or indicated as such on the broadcast sheet.  Collectors have usually put an emphasis on cars that still had the original motor that matched the fender tag numbers.  These are the cars that usually brought a higher value at auctions and scored higher at shows.  It may be important at a concourse restoration show that a car retains all original body panels, and completely original or correct date stamped engine pieces, that isn't the case with most buyers today.  In the last 10 years, the "value" of original motors has dropped off some, and buyers are less concerned with numbers matching examples as they are with non butchered cars.  Many high dollar restored cars today have many of the body panels replaced, and many engine components replaced with date correct pieces, but not originals.

Normally, if you have a motor that doesn't match the body, the value is decreased by 20-30 percent. More if it isn't from the same year such as putting a 76 440 into a 68-70 car.  By keeping the dates as close as possible, you minimize the reduction in value.  Which is why I pretty much stopped driving mine regularly after replacing the original block with another 69 440 block.   

[Khyron]

thats why those of us with 318's don't care about original motors. I'm willing to bet the 440 going into my car will increase it's value

I would say Numbers matching is more important in the R/T and most likely Convertable area. Others will disagree with me of course. But thats just my Opinion.

[69CoronetRT]

And not all Chargers after Jan. 1, 1968 have the engine numbers. Only the 383 HP and R/T Chargers have them. I believe they all got stamped in '69 though.

That's a common statement but one that I don't think can be proven since all cars were 'supposed' to have the VIN stamps after 1/1/68. It makes no sense to only stamp one or two engine variations in a particular model when the law required all engnes to be stamped.

There appears to be inconsistency in stamping after 1/1/68 but I don't think it can be attibuted to only stamping certain engines for certain cars from certain plants.

[69 rt]

All,
Thanks for the info, since my motor number matches along with the tranny, and core support. I can assume it is a numbers matching car.

69 rt