Has anyone else heard this term being used for cars w/ #s in in the name ..?

Like 442, Z28, SS396 etc.

 

Nope

Wouldn't a Z28 and SS 396 be numbers and letter[s]?

 

I haven't heard this term being used this way in a long time. Might have been from the 70's before we restored them ...

 

Today, the term "numbers car" is usually used as short for "numbers matching". Of course, "numbers matching" is usually used incorrectly anyway.

 

I guess you would have to say numbers correctly matching car Or you could just use the term completely original?

 

I plan on yanking my engine apart and I will "document" that the different parts have the correct stampings and castings that an original car would have ...

 

I think most are happy with having the correct matching parts. As far as "Originality", I think documentation of history is the best.

 

Just a little off topic but I believe the W-30, the W-31 and the Z-28 are the only models to carry their respective order code as part of the cars name.

I think 280Z and RX7 and the like were created because they sounded "cool"

Correct me if I'm wrong please.

 

Abslutely agree with documenting everything. The previous owner gave me a folder with all the reciepts of parts he changed and pics of work that was done. I am doing the same so if you ever consider selling it then that would go a long way towards it's value.

 

That's my first reaction. No matter what, it is not a common enough term to use by itself and be expected to be understood.


Don't get us started with that again, Wolfman! That's a long long complex subject!

 

Off subject, for sure. But W-31 and W-30s were not models. I don't know if Z-28s were, or not.

I know *at least* there are older Oldsmobiles that were named for the numbers. Like "Model 40". Even the 88s and 98s evolved from their model code.

Hang in there Tom, I'm still working on your "Z"!!

 

I have a Digital Point and Shoot cam and I have oh so many pics ...

 

Well, the W-30 and W-31 (and W-32, W-33, and W-34 cars) were not models, they were simply different option packages. Also, keep in mind the Chevy Z24 Cavalier and Z26 Beretta.

280Z (and 240Z, 260Z, 280ZX, 300ZX, etc) had nothing to do with option codes. These were based on engine displacement (280Z = 2.8 liter engine).

 

And while I'm thinking about it, how about the Z71 and ZR2 trucks and the ZR1 Corvette? Again, these were the RPO codes for the option packages.

 

SEE IT ALL STARTED WITH THE MODEL "T"

 

I have no idea what you are talking about Could you run that past me one more time

 

I think that is what we used to call number cars ...

It might have been a regional thing and judging from the response, passe .

 

Sorry about the Wolfman. I don't have them handy, but there are previous threads about "numbers matching" and "original". Hard to put in a nutshell, but those 2 terms are virtually meaningless because they are vague, not specific. Yet they continue to be used as if they mean something. In other words, "numbers matching" means nothing unless you say specifically what numbers match what. That would be like saying the car has paint. (instead of what color).

 

Ok how are you guys with your history on the evolution of the American automobile and foreign makes. The question would be what was the first American made vehicle that had a number or letter as part of the car's name. For example was the Ford Model "T" the first American car with a number or letter added to it's name. Remember it was called the Model"T" and known as that on it's own. The second question would be was the first vehicle foreign or domestic to do so. These questions have to be limited to vehicles with the internal combustion chamber , so it would go back to the first vehicle developed by Karl Benz with that engine.

 

I like the description: "was new once".

 

The Model T (which is a LETTER, not a number, by the way) was preceded by a whole litany of cars with letters, including the Model A in 1930 (not the Model A from the 1920s), Model K, and Model S. The Model K was a six cylinder car.

 

Produced on the assembly line from 1908 to 1927. It was preceded by the first ('03-'04) Model A.

The second "A" was from '28 to '31.



My Dads is a '31.

Norm

 

That SHOULD have said "the Model A in 1903", not 1930. Sorry for the "senior moment"...

 

Joe , in my question I did say Number Or Letter. I traded my dad's 1929 Model "A" Leatherback for the 69 Olds I have now. So there was a 1903 Model "A" . I wonder about the earliest karl benz auto's?