"Numbers Matching" or "Period Correct"?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
"Numbers Matching" or "Period Correct"?
There is a huge emphasis these days on numbers matching Corvettes, and all muscle/collector cars for that matter. Factory original bone stock=premium price. Admittedly there are exceptions, high dollar restomods, customs, famous previous owner, etc.
But in the year your car was new, would you have walked into the showroom, bought your new C3, and left it completely stock/original?
If when I was 16, I could have afforded a new '71 like mine, the first thing I would have done was change out the wheels, to Cragars or Americans, then followed up with an aftermarket stereo, and then engine mods (headers, carb, intake, cam).
I'm not knocking numbers matching nut and bolt correct restorations..but curious why more people don't concentrate on what mods would have been done back in the day, another words "period correct".
I appreciate period correct cars, because that is what was done back in the day.
I gravitate to the unrestored period correct cars when at a show, bypassing the showroom perfect examples (I know what they looked like brand new, I was there).
In short what I am getting to is personalization of your dream car, when it was new, with period correct pieces from the day.
Not trying to start any bashing, just curious if others are into period correct cars.
But in the year your car was new, would you have walked into the showroom, bought your new C3, and left it completely stock/original?
If when I was 16, I could have afforded a new '71 like mine, the first thing I would have done was change out the wheels, to Cragars or Americans, then followed up with an aftermarket stereo, and then engine mods (headers, carb, intake, cam).
I'm not knocking numbers matching nut and bolt correct restorations..but curious why more people don't concentrate on what mods would have been done back in the day, another words "period correct".
I appreciate period correct cars, because that is what was done back in the day.
I gravitate to the unrestored period correct cars when at a show, bypassing the showroom perfect examples (I know what they looked like brand new, I was there).
In short what I am getting to is personalization of your dream car, when it was new, with period correct pieces from the day.
Not trying to start any bashing, just curious if others are into period correct cars.
#2
Melting Slicks
I've heard the numbers matching originated in response to the common practice of modifying back in the day. Matching numbers provided a pretty safe bet the car was never molested. When you start to modify, issues of personal taste come up. My take anyway..
#3
Drifting
I'm a huge fan of period correct mods. I grew up watching my dad race his 68 that he had been modifying since the early 70's. I can't wait to get it back on the road.
Attachment 48365897
Attachment 48365897
#4
I know I am for sure...
I love looking at a c-3's with original ''well kept''paint and the leather seats that have let's say a little patina.If the chrome bumpers are a little gray from over overzealous polishing so what.I never was a Cragar fan,I always liked the American Racing torq thrust d especially on a silver c-3...That to me is cool as it gets.I will walk around all day long and look at those types of vettes.AR has refined some of there older styled wheels.Cragar's will always be Cragar's...As far as correct nut and bolt restorations...they turn out better than the car exited the factory.Nothing wrong with that either,I guess i like them all...
I love looking at a c-3's with original ''well kept''paint and the leather seats that have let's say a little patina.If the chrome bumpers are a little gray from over overzealous polishing so what.I never was a Cragar fan,I always liked the American Racing torq thrust d especially on a silver c-3...That to me is cool as it gets.I will walk around all day long and look at those types of vettes.AR has refined some of there older styled wheels.Cragar's will always be Cragar's...As far as correct nut and bolt restorations...they turn out better than the car exited the factory.Nothing wrong with that either,I guess i like them all...
#5
Drifting
Was bone stock before headers,pipes, wheels, repainted in 70 because orig owner liked and was not avail in 69, have a motion hood I'm working on. Made sure that any mods could be easily reversed back if needed, not while I own it. Also added fake spinners and lemans cap, because I always loved both
Last edited by Calo69; 05-29-2015 at 04:43 PM. Reason: Add
#6
Racer
#7
Racer
Was bone stock before headers,pipes, wheels, repainted in 70 because orig owner liked and was not avail in 69, have a motion hood I'm working on. Made sure that any mods could be easily reversed back if needed, not while I own it. Also added fake spinners and lemans cap, because I always loved both
#8
Drifting
#9
Drifting
#11
Drifting
Great looking cars guys, here's mine.
Attachment 47888645
Attachment 47888645
I see black sidepipes in your future.
Last edited by Calo69; 05-29-2015 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Add
#13
Drifting
Have fun, if you wait to find some deals you can do it real reasonable,
#14
Pro
I prefer "period correct" over anything else. I also like to see cars that show signs of being used. I will positively be doing some mods to my car that I did to my new 73' Nova. I have already added the valve covers of choice and am just waiting to find some slotted mags that catch my fancy. Back then I couldn't afford to do a whole lot and had to keep it in DD status and this car will get the same treatment that one did. Mike
Last edited by mike48750; 05-29-2015 at 06:20 PM.
#15
Drifting
I prefer "period correct" over anything else. I also like to see cars that show signs of being used. I will positively be doing some mods to my car that I did to my new 73' Nova. I have already added the valve covers of choice and am just waiting to find some slotted mags that catch my fancy. Back then I couldn't afford to do a whole lot and had to keep it in DD status and this car will get the same treatment that one did. Mike
#16
Team Owner
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Hi t,
I really think there is INCREASING interest in cars with 'period correct' modifications and also in cars with documented racing histories.
These cars certainly aren't for everyone, but a surprising number of people enjoy owning them and seeing them.
I put 69 side exhaust on my 71 with in a few weeks of buying it in 1971, and when I first finished restoring it I had the side exhaust on it.
What's not to like about a car like Calo's 69?
Regards,
Alan
I really think there is INCREASING interest in cars with 'period correct' modifications and also in cars with documented racing histories.
These cars certainly aren't for everyone, but a surprising number of people enjoy owning them and seeing them.
I put 69 side exhaust on my 71 with in a few weeks of buying it in 1971, and when I first finished restoring it I had the side exhaust on it.
What's not to like about a car like Calo's 69?
Regards,
Alan
#17
Drifting
Hi t,
I really think there is INCREASING interest in cars with 'period correct' modifications and also in cars with documented racing histories.
These cars certainly aren't for everyone, but a surprising number of people enjoy owning them and seeing them.
I put 69 side exhaust on my 71 with in a few weeks of buying it in 1971, and when I first finished restoring it I had the side exhaust on it.
What's not to like about a car like Calo's 69?
Regards,
Alan
I really think there is INCREASING interest in cars with 'period correct' modifications and also in cars with documented racing histories.
These cars certainly aren't for everyone, but a surprising number of people enjoy owning them and seeing them.
I put 69 side exhaust on my 71 with in a few weeks of buying it in 1971, and when I first finished restoring it I had the side exhaust on it.
What's not to like about a car like Calo's 69?
Regards,
Alan
#18
Drifting
I prefer "period correct" over anything else. I also like to see cars that show signs of being used. I will positively be doing some mods to my car that I did to my new 73' Nova. I have already added the valve covers of choice and am just waiting to find some slotted mags that catch my fancy. Back then I couldn't afford to do a whole lot and had to keep it in DD status and this car will get the same treatment that one did. Mike
#20
Drifting