Meaning of "numbrs matching" opinions please

[nuch_ss396]

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the NCRS will trademark 'numbers matching' term like they did 'Survivor' - or whatever word it was

I think the consensus is that the meaning has changed with the dollar values, whether we like it or not is irrelevant, so we come up with a new term to describe what was originaly intended: Born With, Original, etc.... Fun stuff eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

Marlin,

Perhaps another factor in the change of meaning of "numbers matching"
is the age of the major components, wear and tear of SHP
parts, etc.. You have to admit, the further away we get
from the cars actual birthday, the more likely we are to
need replacement parts.

Where major wear components are concerned - like cylinder
blocks, transmissions and/or hear housings, once we are faced
with the prospect of replacing a "born with" part, we all are left
with the sobering thought of having to then jump into the
sea of "numbers matching" terminology.

I've mentioned this here many times before. SHP cars were
born and bred for racing. A normal part of that application
is blown drivetrains. I wonder how many of the Yenko's, COPO's,
Z/28's, L/78's, etc. actually have their "born with" drivetrains intact.

Again, I live in a glass house too, so no stone throwing here.

[LS6 RAT]

This has been a very interesting discussion, a lot of good opinions expressed.

Here's another interesting term to ponder about, what its true meaning infers...factory stock. When these words are used to describe a musclecars condition, my mind automatically assumes that nothing has been altered since factory assembly, however this term seems to be as loosely used as the above phrase we are discussing.

To me when someone says that their engine is stock, I take that to mean, no cylinder boring, no camshaft replacement, piston replacement, no porting, polishing, milling, decking. It should mean no altering of the engine assembly at all!

How many here are calling their 396, 427, 454 engines stock, but have an overbore?

[Salvatore]

Hey Warren, Now you are splitting hairs.

[RamAirDave]

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps another factor in the change of meaning of "numbers matching"
is the age of the major components, wear and tear of SHP
parts, etc.. You have to admit, the further away we get
from the cars actual birthday, the more likely we are to
need replacement parts.

[/ QUOTE ]

While many of the SHP blocks were killed within the first several years of their lives, I would think there is a very small percentage of those that have been grenaded in the last 10-15 years or so.

I dont think the amount of "#s" engines has declined much in that time period, so I'm not sure that would be a reason for the "recent" change for the term "numbers matching".

[nuch_ss396]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps another factor in the change of meaning of "numbers matching"
is the age of the major components, wear and tear of SHP
parts, etc.. You have to admit, the further away we get
from the cars actual birthday, the more likely we are to
need replacement parts.

[/ QUOTE ]

While many of the SHP blocks were killed within the first several years of their lives, I would think there is a very small percentage of those that have been grenaded in the last 10-15 years or so.

I dont think the amount of "#s" engines has declined much in that time period, so I'm not sure that would be a reason for the "recent" change for the term "numbers matching".

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave,

I think you furthered my point. I agree that in the past
10-15 years many of these SHP cars have been babied. However,
the bulk of the cars already had suffered major component
failure. Remember, they were bought to beat & race. During
the mid to late 1970's almost every engine I took apart
had a rather large ridge at the top of the cylinder walls.

Some day when this non-sense is all over, we can sit down
and talk about how original our cars really are.