Numbers Matching, Does It Matter

[Merrill]

As these cars become less and less in number and there value
increases (?) is there any concern about having the original
engine? I ask this because I plan on driving mine indefinitely,
when it needs a motor, in 10 to 15 years (knock wood), should
a guy have the original rebuilt or replace with a crate motor etc.
Is there even a way to know if an engine is the original one.
You always hear about older collector cars and the premium for
a numbers matching example, does this apply to these cars.
Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[Gryphonzus]

Rare cars are usually worth more if all the numbers match. I believe the motor is even etched with the vin number. They are putting vin numbers on quite a few of the parts on cars nowadays.

[whitey]

it cant hurt!, if your not looking to make it too fast, i would just rebuild, and keep the car the way it came from the factory

[kirk]

As these cars become less and less in number and there value
increases (?) is there any concern about having the original
engine? I ask this because I plan on driving mine indefinitely,
when it needs a motor, in 10 to 15 years (knock wood), should
a guy have the original rebuilt or replace with a crate motor etc.
Is there even a way to know if an engine is the original one.
You always hear about older collector cars and the premium for
a numbers matching example, does this apply to these xars.
Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Will it be a concern for you? Yes, it may be a concern for a potential buyer, but are you concerned about a potential buyer's concern? Will you want bragging rights about it being numbers matching if you intend to keep it? I would say that if you're planning to put a lot of miles on the car, it lessens any concerns about having that matching numbers engine, but does not eliminate them. The truly high dollar collector cars are not just numbers matching, but also low mile unmollested cars. Your plan cancells those last two issues. The real question is what do YOU want it to be in 10-15 years, because that's what really counts at this point. Just my 2 cents.