Value of a "numbers matching" SC
 

I have two SCs a 1983 (blue) and a 1982 (red). The 82 was a salvage title car that had a minor engine fire, rubber, wires and plastic burned up, paint damage on engine lid and rear right fender. The rest of the car is in great condition. I removed the 82 engine and put it in my 83 that had a leaking cylinder. I used the CIS and ignition from the 83 and the car runs well. But now I have a good running 1983 SC without the original engine and a 1982 with an 83 engine basket case. Is it worth the effort to put the cars back to their original engines, both have about 100k miles and I have spare cis and ignition components. Do numbers matching cars command a significantly higher value.
The body and interior of the 82 are significantly better and my plan was to rebuild the 83 engine, restore the damaged part of the exterior on the 82 and put the 83 engine in it and use it as my driver and sell the 83 as it is. The 82 would have the best body and paint, the best interior and a fresh engine. Is my plan a value mistake? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1441033337.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1441033397.jpg

Swap 'em back. The salvage title would make a great project for someone who wants to hot rod. The Blue numbers matching car is worth much more in my mind.

I don't think there is increased value on numbers matching for SC's at this point. Maybe for museum/collection quality cars. Yours are what I'd call 'driver quality' and I personally wouldn't pay more for numbers matching or less for non-numbers matching.

Down the road, maybe decades, it could be a different story though.

plus the fact the 3.0 is so robust there are literally thousands of SCs with original engine, doesn't make it special

Well not this decade anyway ...

I want to keep one car with all the best components. guards red is a classic color and dunkelblau is pretty rare especially with the blue interior. Probably end up keeping them both and endure the side glances from my wife.

Once upon a time nobody thought numbers matching mattered for a 72, because they were just old ungalvanised Porsches.

I would err on the side of keeping original engines with the cars in the long term.

No doubt. Matching is definitely better than non matching.

agreed. now it does not mean so much, down the road even depends on the condition of the car. numbers matching will only mean something if it is all original.

When you have an engine from a non-matching year, and you've also swapped the injection system, a sizeable percentage of buyers will not consider the car, regardless of whether it will have more or less value down the road. You'd be best served by putting the original motors back in the cars, and putting as many things back to stock as you can. A little time and money spent here should pay off when you sell the cars, now or later.

JR

How often does history have to repeat itself? Look at any listings in the cars for sale. The survivors of time weather original or restored always carry the premium of numbers matching. If like cars were side by side a numbers matching car would carry more value.

If a car survived many years and owners with it's original drive train this would also speak of the care and maintenance performed over the lifespan. We are talking 30 year old cars that remain intact and another 20 - 30 years down the road will need major restorations.

Look how many WTB adds looking to reunite bodies with their original engines from the 60s - 70s. Very rare to happen after separation.

With the reliability of the SCs we can drive them and enjoy them and yet still have a vehicle worthy of restoring way down the road.

No matter if it is an old bike or car original paint, trim and drive train are number one. Original numbers are next. Anything else is our own creation and good to Hot Rod.

Terry

Since you still have all the parts, if it were me, I would rebuild the engine and put it back in the non-salvage title car...then either put the salvage title car back together and drive it...or part it.

Can only be better if the numbers match.
Why even consider having regrets down the road?