Matching numbers important!?

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Did factory replacement blocks come without numbers?

Whats your opinion on the matching numbers thing?

That particular one is a factory replacement 'motorsport' block.

I think 'Matching Numbers' is a term that originated in the American car scene, and was more specifically applied to American cars that tended to have - literally - matching chassis and engine numbers, as the manufacturers made a point of applying numbers to suit.

On S30-series Z cars the term can only be applied to the numbers stamped on the engine bay-mounted chassis plate, and it's probably only the people with really early production cars and 'Concours' types who care about the engine block number matching up with what's stamped on the plate. People with hybrid swaps and modified cars talk with glee about 'p*ssing off the purists', but true S30 purists are pretty thin on the ground in my experience and very few care about Chuki and Kouki cars anyway.

My opinion? Somehow I think its nice to see the original engine in one of these cars, especially as so many have been changed over the years. However, it's only one piece of the puzzle and it means little in terms of originality of it is hooked up to a C type transmission and has other non-period modifications. My 4/70 car still has its original L24 engine, but its sitting on an engine stand and I probably won't use it. Probably will keep it as part of the car's chattels, and pass it on with the car when I eventually part with it. Nice to keep them together, I think.

Of course, not all S30-series Zs had their engine block numbers stamped onto the chassis plate:



 
Thats sort of what I thought your opinion would be.

I'm far from a purist, I don't have the means or understanding to be one. I do find it attractive having the original block on the car(as a US spec car owner of a 1970 car). Being truthful i'm not even sure why. There's a lot you can do with them and keep it in the car.

I type this then think about my c-type gearbox, subaru 4.44 diff, intrax suspension etc....... ironic I guess.
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
I'm far from a purist, I don't have the means or understanding to be one. I do find it attractive having the original block on the car(as a US spec car owner of a 1970 car). Being truthful i'm not even sure why. There's a lot you can do with them and keep it in the car.

I type this then think about my c-type gearbox, subaru 4.44 diff, intrax suspension etc....... ironic I guess.

I think we just need to be pragmatic. As long as you have a theme, and you try to stick to it as close as you can, then the car should come out right.

I get the feeling yours will be right.
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Albrecht et al, thanks for the thoughts you're actually really helping dispel some of my own myths.

Rob - my car had me at H... of the Hello and I even drove off without a sales receipt and the V5; I was so excited! Even though I'm a total geek and checked her all over, the matching numbers didn't even come into it. I acknowledged it's a 40year old good but not concourse condition car and things will have been changed.

I think as Franky and Albrech (+others) have said, the theme is important. I like mine to be original looking (minus paint / wheels) but be practical, reliable and spirited drivable all day/year long. Hence the trouble I went to to have the original radio with modern electronics inside. Looks and functions 90% as it did from the factory but sounds great and connects to my phone. So similar thing with engine: look original with some period mods but be healthy and go well without massive BHP. I love the fact that I can drive her at 8/10ths and be legal in most cases. I don't really want to be able to light up the tyres in third for example. For that I can buy modern metal with more protection around me.

Wouldn't mind a little more torque and rev happiness / top end breathing for revving out more keenly. Just subtle improvements to make it even better without going nuts.

Does that make sense!?
 
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