I caught a newer TV show called "Graveyard Carz" where these Mopar guys are wrenching Cuda's and whatnot into Concours proper condition.

Wow, I had no clue the level of detail those things had to be. They were fussing about year/month specific parts down to plug wires and radiator numbers. Typical stupid TV car show where deadlines and stress are the theme but it's worth watching to see what true numbers cars are all about.

It made me glad that to know I'll never attempt such a thing as crazy or near obsessive to own a Concours ready car. Judges for that level of car must be experts in multiple part identification down to the build month. That's just nuts.

Next time I read "numbers matching" in an ad for a car, I'm thinking - yeah right, like most buyers would ever bring it back to that level.

 

I hear ya on that. Mopar people are the worst anyway - a customer taped over two blobs of seam sealer that he wanted to keep cuz his survivor car had them. ( Really??)
That's also why I enjoy having a plain 'ol cutlass instead of a 442 - I would feel compelled to build a 442 at least close to factory.
Those shows are the worst thing ever to happen to the hobby in my opinion. It's part of the reason why ornery toothless wrecking yard owners want big $$ for junk. I was at a SoCal wrecker in Seal Beach a few weeks back just to see if there were any Oldsmobiles. There was one - he wanted 2 grand for it. It was a '67 cutlass that was so beaten on that the crusher would be a fitting end. Nothing useful - nothing.

That's my rant for the day,

Solo out.

 

The bigger problem is that 99% of the people (sorry, but apparently yourself included) don't even use the term "numbers matching" correctly. It does NOT mean that all the correct casting numbers and date codes are in place. It DOES mean that the VIN derivative stamps on the engine and trans (and other parts if applicable) MATCH the VIN of the car. You can get correct casting numbers and date codes with a big enough wallet. You CANNOT simply buy the original motor and trans if it is missing. (OK, you CAN if you restamp the block. That's a whole different discussion... )

What I really enjoy are sellers who advertise a "numbers matching" car that was built BEFORE VIN derivatives were used. I like to ask the seller to show me the numbers that "match".

 

I agree with Joe n Solo, my particular pet peave is with the term Classic. But thats a whole other argument.

 

Yes Joe P., myself would be inclusive with the 99 percent no clue crowd. I though it meant original engine/trans which made sense for having value as "original".

I get approached often with guys asking if my Olds has the original motor. I reply, no, it has a 70's Rocket 350 swapped in. They usually comment "meh, not numbers matching eh" like I molested it. Truth is, I like the fact it's an Olds motor and not your basic Chev 350. I have no shame and consider it an upgrade for a fun driver.

Now I think I'll reply, oh yeah, it's numbers matching. My front license plate matches my rear one.

 

Good one

How about "I think so..." and let 'em try to prove otherwise...

 

Just tell them it is "numbers matching" when they ask.
Odds are they have no idea what it means, and if they do, they don't know which numbers and where to find them on your car.

Everybody's a critic.

- Eric

 

I've been to countless shows this year, even won some modified classes. The main thing I have found out is not many folks even knows what an Oldsmobile motor looks like.

It catches there eye because it's different, they have to walk completely around it to figure out what kind of car it is. When I pull in, the sound attracts them like Peter Pipers flute.

 

^^ That's funny, the gas station curious types start with "what year is that"? Then often follows... "um, what kind of car is this"?

I didn't really want an attention getter but between my Pied Piper, Flowmaster 40's and Gold metal flake paint, it draws 'em in like Pack Rats hunting shiny objects.

I got approached by a City Cop who rolled up behind me as I was parking. He just wanted to give it a look. Whew!

 

forgive my apparent ignorance, but what is "concours"?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concours_d%27Elegance

Never mind......figured it out, LOL........way too **** for me, don't get me wrong, when I get this car done, I want it nice. But I want a car, not a trailer queen.

 

Build it how you want it, drive it how you want it, enjoy it. If someone else doesn't like it because its not "numbers matching" or the seam sealer is not original, or whatever, screw-em, its probably a hell-of-alot nicer than the one they have. They will likely never own a car that is up to their own standards.

I went to Barret-Jackson yesterday. The customized, resto-mod, non-numbers matching cars that are built to be fun, as opposed to pure, generally brought way more money than the "pure" numbers matching cars.

Personally, I love cars period. I don't give a **** if its numbers matching, customized, original, old, new, classic, or whatever. If I think it looks cool, I like it. If it doesn't look cool, I don't like it. I just love looking at cars. All the other stuff is just "details."

 

The concourse or thousand point type game is just that, a game, and if you don't want to play there are all kinds of other car games to play. I have participated in a few just to see how my car stood up and I enjoyed the experience and people( they are car people too). My car has always been judged better than I thought it should so you might be surprised how yours would stand up in such an event.This year will probably be my last to play that game as my car is getting long of tooth and it's driven way to much to stay completive. I find it as much fun to do the local or distant show n shine and take the long road trips that my wife and I enjoy so much. But I gotta respect the people who do there restorations to that degree though and for a bunch of them the fun is looking for that special cadmium plated bolt or super rare window marker. To each his or her own, I just like it all....Tedd