Supercar Originality

[Jeff H]

The original engine might not be as big a deal on a 67 Camaro or 69 Camaro with X codes or build sheet because that information helps verify the car. But on cars like early 69's and 68 Camaros, the original engine/trans/rear might be the only way to verify the car is what it's claimed to be. A 1968 Z28 without the original engine is pretty much just another 1968 Camaro unless you have paperwork. But we all know that a lot of cars have suddenly had paperwork appear too!

[69L89396]

I don't think that is a fare statement because you could be looking at an orginal car and it happen to not have the paper work with it. If you were to check every thing on the car and find it to be correct, then how could you say that was not a real car and discount the valvue?
You can NOT prove it is and you can NOT prove it is not. My 2 cents

[JoeC]

The "original engine" is one of those terms that has a lot of emotion but not much logic. You can use NOS or exact repro parts on the car but people get emotional over originality of the engines. It is acceptable to change body panels, the interior, brakes radiator, gas tank, dash cluster, etc., but a replacement engine will subtract value? If the casting no. and vin match the car, and it is correctly restamped and has proper broach marks, etc., and nobody can tell the difference between the replacement engine and the engine in the car, then I don't see why the restorer just doesn't call it an "exactly restored engine." Many restored cars have "exactly restored engines" that magically become "original engines." When you talk to original owners of any solid lifter big block Chevy car they laugh about "original engines." These cars would rev past the design limit of the valve springs and other parts and many dropped a valve and blew up. Ninety percent of the original owners I have talked to said the engine was replaced within three years. One Yenko Camaro got a "window" in the block on its first night of opperation! There are some "real" original engine cars but it is as rear as original paint, in my opinion. It is better to have the original rear end on a COPO car because you can at least verify it by disassembly. Today an original engine is difficult to verify so you have to rely on the accuracy of the history of the car and the honesty its past owners.