Originality-does it matter?

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Captainkirk

Captainkirk

Old School Mopar Warrior
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Just curious as to what you guys think about originality when it comes to restoration projects...I've seen some absolute stupid numbers pop up at auction, some in excess of 40k. Sure, I get that. A collector wants a car that is perfectly restored right down to squiggly numbers scrawled on parts with a paint pen, and will pay beau coup bux to get it!...but for the average Joe, how much do things like matching numbers and paint codes and original equipment really affect value? For example, the original motor and trans are long gone from my car, probably blown up by the original owner. Is having paint that doesn't match the fender tag that big of a downer? Stuff like that.
Now I realize that when you buy a car it's yours to do with whatever you wish and to hell with everyone else, but curious to hear other people's take on this? Thanks!
 
For me I don't care about numbers matching, color and all that. I'm interested if it runs and drives well. I like to have aftermarket suspension upgrades, disc brakes, good sounding exhaust. I think a customized paint job would hurt value for me, flames, funky colors. I do prefer a Mopar color on a Mopar car. I've got an original red 65 Dart GT that I'm giving my lady and she wants it orange. So we're gonna paint it orange, deciding if hemi orange or go mango for the choice.
 
Captainkirk said:
Just curious as to what you guys think about originality when it comes to restoration projects...I've seen some absolute stupid numbers pop up at auction, some in excess of 40k. Sure, I get that. A collector wants a car that is perfectly restored right down to squiggly numbers scrawled on parts with a paint pen, and will pay beau coup bux to get it!...but for the average Joe, how much do things like matching numbers and paint codes and original equipment really affect value? For example, the original motor and trans are long gone from my car, probably blown up by the original owner. Is having paint that doesn't match the fender tag that big of a downer? Stuff like that.
Now I realize that when you buy a car it's yours to do with whatever you wish and to hell with everyone else, but curious to hear other people's take on this? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Are we talking about a 4 door dart or a Hemi Cuda Convertible. Original rust free car or rust bucket.
 
If the car came with a putrid color and drab interior I wouldn't want it put back to the factory design. They got to stand out like a pumpkin in a pepper patch. Shake the ground and run like a raped ape. If you want a numbers queen get a E or B body. All a-bodies should have came with a cage and slicks.

DUSTER ON LINE - Copy (2).jpg


image1.jpg
 
I don't really care too much about originality for the most part. If it's a real nice car to me & it's built right, that's most important. The one downside of having a high value, numbers matching vehicle is, I'd be kind of afraid to drive it or leave it unattended anywhere, except a car show. People seem to have some respect for cars there, as compared to taking it out for diner or something.
 
To some it does and others it doesn't. What matters is what you think and would pay for something original. Originality is more important on a low-mile, rare option collector car that someone would buy and not drive. in other words, a collector, not an enthusiast. My brother-in-law is a "collector", all his vehicles are on lifts in a climate-controlled shop and rarely driven. My Duster is modified, driven when I feel like it, and kept in my metal ambient temperature shop. I consider myself an "Enthusiast". Most people on this board probably fall into the latter category. No right or wrong answer.
 
Captainkirk said:
Just curious as to what you guys think about originality when it comes to restoration projects...I've seen some absolute stupid numbers pop up at auction, some in excess of 40k. Sure, I get that. A collector wants a car that is perfectly restored right down to squiggly numbers scrawled on parts with a paint pen, and will pay beau coup bux to get it!...but for the average Joe, how much do things like matching numbers and paint codes and original equipment really affect value? For example, the original motor and trans are long gone from my car, probably blown up by the original owner. Is having paint that doesn't match the fender tag that big of a downer? Stuff like that.
Now I realize that when you buy a car it's yours to do with whatever you wish and to hell with everyone else, but curious to hear other people's take on this? Thanks!
Click to expand...
My take..

Look at 68-70 Dodge Chargers, 55-57 Chev 2 door, 67-69 Camaros.

Originality is not a big deal with these body styles anymore.

They are all worth a fortune in any condition.

Resto-Mods are outpacing original restorations price wise at pretty much any auction you visit.
 
If I had a 1968 Hemi 4 gear Super Bee it would be nice to be a numbers matching car that I could putt around town and could pass on it to my Grandson...But I would prefer it had a warranty block from the previous owner blowing up the original Hemi so I could drive it every day and when it got another rock chip in the paint I could find a straighter country road to drive faster on.
 
Last edited:
LO23M8B said:
Are we talking about a 4 door dart or a Hemi Cuda Convertible. Original rust free car or rust bucket.
Click to expand...
In my case I'm talking an A-body Duster 340 (H code car) with virtually no rust and not the original drive train. For a lot of guys an A-body is considered a boring plain-Jane car. Mark (Graveyard cars) said once he doesn't even like doing them because the ROI just isn't worth it. With 330k of the '72 Dusters built, I would tend to agree. It's not a hemi 'Cuda.
 
Captainkirk said:
Just curious as to what you guys think about originality when it comes to restoration projects...I've seen some absolute stupid numbers pop up at auction, some in excess of 40k. Sure, I get that. A collector wants a car that is perfectly restored right down to squiggly numbers scrawled on parts with a paint pen, and will pay beau coup bux to get it!...but for the average Joe, how much do things like matching numbers and paint codes and original equipment really affect value? For example, the original motor and trans are long gone from my car, probably blown up by the original owner. Is having paint that doesn't match the fender tag that big of a downer? Stuff like that.
Now I realize that when you buy a car it's yours to do with whatever you wish and to hell with everyone else, but curious to hear other people's take on this? Thanks!
Click to expand...
It only matters if it matters to you.
 
My experience. Bought a 70 charge RT numbers matching drive train original interior and the most origininal engine compartment I've seen in a long while, including exhaust shield into the original dual horn air cleaner, etc. My first car show last week, took it to the local VFW. They usually have between 150 and 300 cars. This year it rained and 24 cars showed up. You would have thought among 24 cars I would get noticed but first secon and third place went to other vehicles, mostly 40's trucks. Learned my lesson, gonna build it for me. Took off the finicky original avs carb and put on a Demon 750. Now I have throttle response, vacuum and much better mileage. Ps, the Dart went too, a big block with original exhaust and also was ignored.


Resized_20241128_110254_1732828678253.jpeg
1970Charger_Feature.jpg

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69conv said:
My experience. Bought a 70 charge RT numbers matching drive train original interior and the most origininal engine compartment I've seen in a long while, including exhaust shield into the original dual horn air cleaner, etc. My first car show last week, took it to the local VFW. They usually have between 150 and 300 cars. This year it rained and 24 cars showed up. You would have thought among 24 cars I would get noticed but first secon and third place went to other vehicles, mostly 40's trucks. Learned my lesson, gonna build it for me. Took off the finicky original avs carb and put on a Demon 750. Now I have throttle response, vacuum and much better mileage. Ps, the Dart went too, a big block with original exhaust and also was ignored.


View attachment 1716438396View attachment 1716438397
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Click to expand...
No ****...what's not to like about both those cars. The 69 convertible looks pretty damn sharp as well. One of the problems that we are all going to have to come to grips with is that we are getting older. 60's muscle cars are what we grew up with and what we know and love. The younger generations not so much. I work with an intern going to school to be an aviation mechanic. This kid is an excellent mechanic, fabricator and a phenomenal welder. He is into BMW's. I show him pictures of some of our old Mopar's and he is only interested because he knows this old fart loves them.
 
We are the dinosaurs! It might have been a good ole boys club too. This was my first and only show, so a statistical pool of 1.
 
Awesome ride!!! Now comes the decision. Do you drive it or show it? Few do both.
 

69conv said:
My experience. Bought a 70 charge RT numbers matching drive train original interior and the most origininal engine compartment I've seen in a long while, including exhaust shield into the original dual horn air cleaner, etc. My first car show last week, took it to the local VFW. They usually have between 150 and 300 cars. This year it rained and 24 cars showed up. You would have thought among 24 cars I would get noticed but first secon and third place went to other vehicles, mostly 40's trucks. Learned my lesson, gonna build it for me. Took off the finicky original avs carb and put on a Demon 750. Now I have throttle response, vacuum and much better mileage. Ps, the Dart went too, a big block with original exhaust and also was ignored.


View attachment 1716438396View attachment 1716438397
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Click to expand...
You can't go wrong with the Demon 750. I miss the one I sold to ya lol.
 
Original sucks
Stock sucks
Cars that don’t get driven suck.

If it’s a rare, valuable, museum piece kinda thing I get it, but I’ll just never need to own one of those.
 
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