Topic: OEM vs. Matching NUmbers
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Norsky and I looked a '73 yesterday that was advertised as a "matching numbers" car. We, actually mostly Norsky, scoured the motor for the casting numbers and the all important VIN derivative number. We found the casting numbers to be consistent with a car produced in 1973. However, we could not locate the VIN derivative number. The area where the number should have been appeared to have been ground. Also, the carburetor number was for an automatic rather than a four speed (Car was a four speed.). While the motor was a 1973 vintage, we could not verify that it was actually the motor that came with the car. Was it a "matching numbers" car. Technically I suppose one could say yes as the numbers we could find matched a '73. However it was NOT an OEM car, which I think most of us would expect when a car is described to us as a "matching numbers" car. A valuable lesson here. We had a copy of Prince's Restoration Guide with us (Thanks Jim!, I forgot mine!) which was critical to identifying the casting numbers, build dates, etc. A second, and equally valuable lesson. Take a friend along when you go look at a car. Two pairs of eyes see at least four times as many things as two. I did not buy the car. One last thing....Motor mouth owners drive me nuts while I am looking at a car.
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The block casting number was consistent with an early build '73 (3970014) but it had a casting date of C 19 74 so if I deciphered that correctly the block was cast on March 19, 1974. The car's VIN told us it was built in December of '72 so there is no way it was the original motor.
There was a number that didn't make sense to me on the machined block pad where the assembly stamp and the VIN derivative stamp were supposed to be. As Wally mentioned the VIN derivative stamp was ground down far enough to where only a couple of characters/digits were just faintly visible. The other number on the pad was 94238. It looked authentic to me but it didn't conform to the assembly stamp format. Anyone have a clue what it might be?
There was also a number on the passenger side of the transmission that I couldn't decode: 3978764 SM. Any clues to what that is?
The pluses of the car were out-numbered by the minuses tho'. Underneath the car was pretty clean and it did have newer paint that looked pretty good (under all the dust). A set of chromed C4 A-mold wanna-bees with fairly new tires dressed it up a bit, but the car didn't impress either of us when we took it down the road a piece. An alignment, tire balancing and a brake flush might have cured some of the issues. With some elbow grease the current interior would have been presentable but door skins, upolstery, and carpeting were going to be needed to make it look really good.
Norsky 2009-05-20 14:02:12
There was a number that didn't make sense to me on the machined block pad where the assembly stamp and the VIN derivative stamp were supposed to be. As Wally mentioned the VIN derivative stamp was ground down far enough to where only a couple of characters/digits were just faintly visible. The other number on the pad was 94238. It looked authentic to me but it didn't conform to the assembly stamp format. Anyone have a clue what it might be?
There was also a number on the passenger side of the transmission that I couldn't decode: 3978764 SM. Any clues to what that is?
The pluses of the car were out-numbered by the minuses tho'. Underneath the car was pretty clean and it did have newer paint that looked pretty good (under all the dust). A set of chromed C4 A-mold wanna-bees with fairly new tires dressed it up a bit, but the car didn't impress either of us when we took it down the road a piece. An alignment, tire balancing and a brake flush might have cured some of the issues. With some elbow grease the current interior would have been presentable but door skins, upolstery, and carpeting were going to be needed to make it look really good.
And as Wally noted the owner was a geyser of non-information about the car. He yammered away about how he found and bought the car as well as how his ex-wife couldn't find the title so he had to apply for a duplicate. But almost all of the direct questions about the car started with "Oh, I don't know about that but .... blah, blah and blah". And then to top it off he told us he had an offer (under the asking price tho') and another party was coming out to look at the car. At that point we shook his hand, thanked him for his time and headed for home.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Reminds me of when I was looking to buy my C3.
The owner of a nicely repainted '73 just wouldn't shut up although he really had nothing to say.
He really got wound up every time I bent down to look under the car.
When I was finally able to look, I rubbed a hole in what was left of the rusted frame just in front of the rear wheels.
At that point I also did something like a hand shake, a "thank you" & off I went.
Sometimes ya know it ain't right even before ya see why.
Kevin
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
3978764 SM. is the GM part/casting number for the trans/case...
Sounds like an owner that was really interested in selling would have had a bit more info...prolly a good thing to pass this one up, especially since he mentioned a problem with the title.
How much was the axing price, anyway?
Sounds like an owner that was really interested in selling would have had a bit more info...prolly a good thing to pass this one up, especially since he mentioned a problem with the title.
How much was the axing price, anyway?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]3978764 SM. is the GM part/casting number for the trans/case... ...
[/QUOTE]
The one number that isn't even mentioned in the restoration guide...!!!
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] ... How much was the axing price, anyway? [/QUOTE]
10k or B.O. If someone was looking for a driver that needs some TLC and the non-matching numbers wasn't a concern it probably would be an OK buy.
Norsky 2009-05-20 21:40:44
... [/QUOTE]
The one number that isn't even mentioned in the restoration guide...!!!
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] ... How much was the axing price, anyway? [/QUOTE]
10k or B.O. If someone was looking for a driver that needs some TLC and the non-matching numbers wasn't a concern it probably would be an OK buy.
I'm still curious about that 5 digit number on the block tho'.
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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