Matching #'s car....what's your opinion?

[tcs69rt]

I had a 440 HP motor and 4-speed ready to put into a 69 Charger. I hoped to find a roller or shell of a car to build up a nice ride. This was back in the late 90's when these cars were cheap. Instead I wound up with an original automatic RT and sold my extra parts when I received orders overseas. Boo-hoo poor me right? Well I grew up in the NSRA, so nothing was stock. Stock sucks. Seems to me that any custom work done to an original de-values the car, what's your opinion?

I have a friend who pulls original motors and drops in a crate motor. He restores the original and uses his crate hemi motor to terrorize the import cars, haha! When he's ready to sell the car he puts the original motor back in. Holding that crate hemi motor for the next car...must be nice to have money, haha!

[bakerhillpins]

This probably isn't going to help much but I think it all depends upon the buyer. However, all other things being equal, l do believe that original (and original looking) cars have a bigger potential market. And that in its own right leads me to believe that you can get more for it.  I think your bud has the right idea, he makes bolt on changes. It gives him the fun factor he wants and gives him a bigger market when he goes to sell.

YMMV

[odcics2]

 

[Patronus]

If its an R/T I think its worth it...but if it's a base model 318 car.. free game for me.
Personally I prefer these types of cars.

[Mike DC]

       
Definitely save the numbers-matching motor.  

The loss of the original motor would cost that car a lot more of its value than the engine alone would sell for.  440 cores are not all that expensive.  Build a different one.  

[polywideblock]

       
Definitely save the numbers-matching motor.  

The loss of the original motor would cost that car a lot more of its value than the engine alone would sell for.  440 cores are not all that expensive.  Build a different one.  

[Baldwinvette77]

Hmmm well, do you plan on selling it? if so closer to stock is what you want, If you don't plan on selling it unless theres a financial emergency you probably won't sell it for much regardless...
so unless you really care about preserving it for the hell of it, Do what you want 

[Lord Warlock]

always save the matching motor, if someone ever buys it with an intent to restore it fully, they'd want the numbers matching motor if they could get it, and would probably pay a premium for it.  Used to be where NM would be a 20% premium over a non match motor, it also makes it easier to sell.  Nothing wrong with replacement motors, i have one in my car, but have regretted dumping the block on mine ever since i did it.  I am glad that i kept the original exhaust manifolds, and heads/intake/carb and accessories, but with a non matching block and transmission, it really doesn't matter anymore. 

[Cooter]

It's all I can do right now to get my junk out to cruise night without breaking down. I can't tell you how many there ask me if it's a 318, while staring right at a 440. Numbers are for the flippers and purists. I could care less. Even when my brother bought his '69 R/T, it had a replacement engine. We were Mopar Before they were the next big thing, we were Mopar while they were the next big thing, and we'll be Mopar when all the Chevy/Ford flippers have gone.

[bookedbydano]

The way the market has gone the past few years....not counting a Hemi or six packer..... a well done custom, High horsepower motor, upgraded suspension, big brakes, big shoes and nice paint will bring the same amount of money (maybe more?) as a numbers matching car.  It seems that more and more are wanting that old look with today's drivability...Lets face it if you are looking at the fun factor side of this.....the 40 some year old numbers matching car doesn't even come close to a nice done custom in my opinion and you still have great value in the car.  I think our hobby will move more in this direction slowly as the market moves in this direction with the younger generation. 

[JB400]

Funny thing about trends is they ride in waves.  Some start out as factory correct, then slide too modified, then back to stock again.  Sometimes the waves crash, while others still continue.

[TUFCAT]

It's all I can do right now to get my junk out to cruise night without breaking down. I can't tell you how mnay there ask me if it's a 318, while staring right at a 440. Numbers are for the flippers and purists. I could care less. Even when my brother bought his '69 R/T, it had a replacement engine. We were Mopar Before they were the next big thing, we were Mopar while they were the next big thing, and we'll be Mopar when all the Chevy/Ford flippers have gone.

Isn't the distributor in the front a clue that its not a 318?

[JB400]

You never know Tuffy, it could be a Ford

[Mopar Nut]

Build it the way that you want, but keep the original motor, trans and rear end.

[Cooter]

Isn't the distributor in the front a clue that its not a 318?

That's just it, not all people who love a Charger/Challenger/etc. are MOPAR folks. In fact, I dare to sday, the MAJORITY of them AREN'T.
I guess I'd rather deal with a NON-Mopar person asking that question then a PITA Mopurist telling me what an idiot I am for "Waisting a Charger" by painting it orange and putting a flag on the roof.

[bakerhillpins]

So the only thing that makes me a Mopar folk is the fact that I know every detail about these cars? 

It's attitudes like this that keep folks from asking questions and learning about them and apparently becoming one.