[bbg]

Don't you think all these numbers were originally just to help trace theft, identify parts, and help track batches in case of warranty claims and recalls? We are the ones that have made them so much more. Seems to me to be more of a GM issue than anything else. From what I understand a Boss 302 is identified as such in the vin number. I know that the vin on an amx or javelin tells you if it were an amx or javelin, what engine, carbureation, transission, column, or floor console, all on the vin. No guessing here. With a 69 camaro the vin tells you if it is a 6 or 8 cylinder. Early cars had little info on the infamous data tag and since they can be removed you have to wonder if it has been switched. Without a paper trail you have to be a detective and piece together enough data to decide if what you see is real or not. Block changes on a Boss seem to be a normal occurance as there was some sort of problem with them and the boss folks don't seem to care - to them big deal. A Z block is just a 350 block with 4 bolt mains and are very common. Rotating assembly different, yes but the block is the same. You have an original Z block bored out to the outer limits of hell and have custom pistons made or sleeves installed and you are good to go. Just don't deck that block. It doesn't matter if the cylinders are too thin, it overheats, has possible poor head seal because the block isn't true. It still has the numbers on it. Replace that block with a good correct block and although you now have a much better engine that is again identical except for those numbers and you have really screwed up. Get the right block casting and casting date, have it restamped and you are scum of the earth. Same applies to these unibodies - patch up a rusty piece of sh-- with a Goodmark catalog and everyone seems to be just so impressed with that list of new sheetmetal you had instlled. Clip it or install a whole really clean unibody and again you have commited the ultimate sin. Never mind now the car is a much better and safer car, those little numbers aren't there. But you know what in all of this really doesn't make sense to me. A couple of years ago Reggie Jackson took a camaro to Barrett-Jackson. A ZL1, COPO, I don't remember which. It had the wrong block in it and he said so up front. Said he did have the original block but it was damaged beyond repair. I guess it was there to help with the documentation. It bid to $277,000 if I remember right and he turned it down. Seems to me we are the one's screwed up. Are we doing this for the cars, the money, an investment, all the above? Or again are we just following the status quo. Doing what we have been told to do and doing so without question? Just as was just said. All these street rods are built out of a stew of parts, all years, all models, aftermarket, whatever to build what the builder sees fit. The cars are built, titled, sold, driven, and by grannies bring big money. If anyone can explain away all this I for one would like to hear it.