I know that this must have been discussed in the past but what are Matching Numbers. 

My 1982 CE seems to be mostly original; 44K miles on it.  I came from Texas where the original owner put a professional looking installation of a electric fan in addition to the standard fan and I would bet it has a rebuild Alternator (Alternator has red crayon number on it). 

The only other thing is the lug nut covers have been lost but the original rims (while not on the car) I have. 

It runs good but fast idle which you guys have helped me on but is not fixed yet (I travel a lot and have limited time to work on it).

Interior was replaced when my wifes girlfriend purchased the car (it had 9000 miles on it then).

Like I said earlier my wife purchased it for me for Fathers day this year from her Girlfriend who wanted to keep it in the family so to say.  (Over 30 years of marriage and we still love each other).  

Unfortunately she had it repainted, did not like the leather interior so had it replace. it was left sitting in the sun for three years so most of the interior except the seats need replacement. 

Second question is when I repaint it (original color) should it have a clear coat put on? 

I do not intend to show the car as corvettes are for driving I believe.   But I decided to keep it as original as I can.  Except I'm going to keep the current wheels on it and just store the CE wheels.

"Matching Numbers" is a term meant to mean that the engine/trans/driveline is all original to the car. At least, that's what it used to mean.
Now, you can have any engine/driveline "stamped" to appear to be original, even tho it ain't.


Your '82 would have come from the factory with an electric fan...whether or not the one you have is the same/original one, I couldn't say.


I prefer the term "Factory Installed components", myself, as it seems to be more honest...

All alternators did have an ink-stamped number/code on them, as well as a gang-stamped date/output rating, so that may be original also.

The '82 cars were all clear coated from the factory, so there's no reason to not go back with a clear coat, except for the pricing difference...

hth

[QUOTE=Tb2k]...Interior was replaced when my wifes girlfriend purchased the car (it had 9000 miles on it then)...Unfortunately...did not like the leather interior so had it replace....I decided to keep it as original as I can
[/QUOTE]

You can get the 1968-1982 Corvette Specifications Guide from NCRS which will tell you how to determine if major underhood parts and some other parts, like the window glass are original.  Sometimes casting #s changed from year to year and other times, parts are stamped also with assembly dates - generally within a few months prior to the car's assembly date can be assumed to be original.  SOP for most mechanics has always been to exchange a broken part for a new or rebuilt part from out of inventory, which most likely won't have the right codes on it, even tho it will function perfectly.  Most people back in the 1980s never thought that someday, some NCRS judge might be pouring over their car looking at date stamps on alternators.  If you are concerned about originality, its best to have original parts serviced and reinstalled rather than exchanged.  

Except for the interior and maybe the alternator I sure it all is original.  My wifes girlfriend purchased the car from the original owner when it had 9000 miles on it.  She has had it ever since. 

Someone side swiped her took some paint off that was about all so she had it painted but did not put the decals back on.  Was not a vary good paint job. 

I already checked on the hubcaps found one it was not in good a shape.   not a big deal for me as I'm not going to put it back in show condition but will repaint it like is was and put the decal kit back on.  I like the current after market wheels that are on it.

You are correct on the pricey part of CE's.  Cannot complain a lot as the purchase price was $3k.  But it did cost me $800 to get it registered for the three years she was delinquent. 

Most of all I really want to thank all of you guys for all of the help you have been to a newbe. 

[QUOTE=Tb2k]...I...will repaint it like is was...[/QUOTE]