eBay '66 L78 El'Camino - Page 5

**ANDY M** · #41 01-31-2007, 07:15 PM

Car sold for $33,433. Bidder7. Reserve lowered, game over.
Good luck to the new owner.

**TimG** · #42 01-31-2007, 08:02 PM

I'm afraid that numbers matching no longer means original engine or original stamp. It may mean that, but in my opinion all it means is that the ID derivative on the block matches part of the vehicle ID number. It's just the first part of the equation to determine if it is the original engine the car came with. I no longer get wound up if someone with a "restoration motor" in a car tells me that it is numbers matching, in fact, I expect that statement. Now I have the first of about three questions answered that pertain to the originality of the engine. Numbers matching no longer is an absolute and I don't think that someone that states numbers matching for a known restoration motor is being dishonest. I will add that if I had a restoration motor in a car, I wouldn't refer to it as numbers matching, but a restoration motor.

**PeteLeathersac** · #43 01-31-2007, 09:31 PM

Nothing personal Tim as I love 'Vettes and understand how this whole Chevy numbers things has really evolved from the 'Vette collectors and judging groups, BUT...personally I still have a problem with ANY restamp. .

Couple questions...Is a 'restoration motor' ever an original born with motor or always a correct castings/dates motor with a 'perfect' rebroach and restamp? .
And are 'restoration trim tags' Ok in the 'Vette world yet...seriously?

.

Again, personally I'd prefer a replacement motor be as correct as possible with castings, dates, suffix correct too if possible, BUT...left alone as far as broaching/stamping goes! .

~ Pete

**TimG** · #44 01-31-2007, 10:29 PM

Pete,

I prefer to stay away from "stampers" although they do bring serious money in the right car if the car has paperwork. There are lots of original engine cars out there and I'd rather just have a car with the original engine and original stamp. There are cars out there that have an over the counter long block with a correct Tonawanda assembly stamp on it. The broach is correct as is the assembly stamp. Some folks have "stamped" the correct ID number on these blocks and they look great. I'll tell you one thing, in the Corvette world a few phone calls will give you the answer on if it is the original engine when in doubt. Trim tags are impossible to reproduce and have pass NCRS/Bloomington judging. The option is to take a trim tag that's been removed and place it on another car, this can be done without being detectible. Again, paperwork, original engine and owner history are all ways to help protect the value of a vehicle you purchase.

**PeteLeathersac** · #45 01-31-2007, 11:52 PM

Thanks for the follow up Tim! .

All personal opinions here...

I'm very interested but not in agreement with the way things have 'progressed' in the 'Vette world and feel badly that without debate and prevention now, these same 'systems' ultimately will land here with the rest of the Chevy hobby...and others. .

Again I really do appreciate your comments but can't agree that any restamps 'look great' nor condone tag-dancing or other changes whether 'detectible' or not. .

Being necessary to call someone 'in the circle' to know if parts really are original to the car or not kind've stinks too...sorry? .

Again, thanks for your sharing your knowledge of the 'Vette world but I just can't help but feel that cars with 'restoration motors' and other changes will eventually slip through the cracks and with time be considered as THE original parts...even more so if these same practises are taken up by the more common-man Chevys etc? .

~ Pete

**kwhizz** · #46 02-01-2007, 12:48 AM

When I did my Gold car two years ago......The Shop I got my Block from, on a weekly average was rebroaching and restamping 5 Blocks a week..........Makes you sort of wonder.......5 x 52 x 2= Lot's of Numbers Matching out there......

Ken

47Hammer · #47 02-01-2007, 01:29 AM

Actually the guy that bought my '70 Z 28 said he was going to have the pad stamped as well as the new M 21 he had just bought so everything would match. Scary.

**scott s** · #48 02-01-2007, 01:38 AM

hope bidder #7 know what he is getting??I was told he was wireing 35k for the car site unseen..

mudjnky · #49 02-01-2007, 02:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
hope bidder #7 know what he is getting??I was told he was wireing 35k for the car site unseen..

[/ QUOTE ]

It is beyond me how anyone can spend any amount of money without seeing the vehicle. I've reached the point where I won't give a seller more than a fair deposit (as little as possible) and the balance in cash when its ready to go on the trailer. I'd rather lose a deposit than get stuck with a bad deal.

agtw31 · #50 02-01-2007, 02:53 AM

5 years ago,i bought a 69 cutlass off ebay that was 2000 miles away.
of course,when i got it,it had a busted frame.

but,the seller didn't realize this cutlass was a 1 of 100 Post W-31's made in 1969.

that was dumb luck.
never again

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