<snip> I think the real stigma that has haunted "clones" is they are inferior to the original because they are always lacking some ingredient like proper brakes or suspension that would have come with that hot engine. Slapping decals on a car does not count as a clone to me unless it has ALL the hardware to go with it. <snip>
I think what you need to remember when you are building a car is to build it the way you want it. That is what the factory did if you bought it new. A slant six car did not start out life any different than a 340 did until the factory bolted in the k-member. A clone can be just as desireable(but less valuable) as one that is has all it's papers in order and is "pedigreed" if it is packing the hardware the factory intended it to have.
A car is only original once anyway, once you take it apart and restore it's not original anymore, numbers matching or not. There is nothing wrong with building a slant six car into a v/8 car as long as you are willing to disclose it when you part with it.
<snip>It's a hobby, just pick one to your liking and enjoy it. It's still ok to be picky though:)
