Re: IML: matching numbers

["A. Foster" <monkeypuzzle1@xxxxxxx>]

Hi;
  Aside from the comment about letter series 300 clone cars I agree with
what you mentioned. To my knowledge no one is making letter series Chrysler
300 clones likely because there would be a lot more involved then changing a
few badges and an engine transmission. Chrysler 300 letter car parts are
much like those for Imperials, hard to come by due to very low production,
unless they have more repro stuff available then our blessed cars. The
engines were typically quite different from ordinary run Chryslers as well,
at least on the earlier cars.
  Muscle cars, on the other hand, were built and sold by the tens of
thousands so it is possible to find the trim parts if you have the money.
Most of the increased value relies on what type of engine was fitted in what
car. Dodge Chargers were built with /6's and 318's but also could come with
three variations on a 440 which would add more then 40% to the value if
stock. Most production ones were ordered with a 383, don't know if they
still offered the 361 when they came out, but swapping one B engine for
another is relatively easy as the transmissions will bolt up.
 I don't know about converting Belvederes but the clone cars that I have
heard of typically involve engine transplants from a junker "C" body, with a
RB or B engine, into a  "B" or "E" body car that came with a small block LA
engine. Regardless of the VIN numbers it's a good thing that Chrysler marked
on the engines what make of car it was to be installed in as well as marked
it on the build plate what displacement of motor the car was fitted with so
you can protect yourself from such unscrupulous people with a bit of
knowledge. Thankfully all Imperials came with the same size engine so clones
are not really an issue, although having an engine from the correct year
could make a difference, given the valve cover and transmission issues. It
also might matter to some whether it was an engine came from another
Imperial or a New Yorker, but overall Chrysler's full car enthusiasts aren't
overly anal as there are much lower bucks involved.
Best Regards
Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side tailight bezel and other trim parts.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <50scars@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 6:02 PM
Subject: RE: IML: matching numbers


   I think matching numbers has little meaning unless you have some super
muscle car that is not all that hard to clone from a lesser car by the
judicious addition of engine, transmission and a few trim items.  For
instance if you can take a mundane Plymouth and make a Roadrunner out
of it, you double its value.  Or a Dodge Super Bee.  Or a Chrysler 300
Letter car.
    About the only way to make an Imperial really super valuable is to
make it a convertible instead of a 4 door sedan.
    Matching numbers on a muscle car means that it was never used as it
was intended, and that nobody took an elstrippo Belvidere and made it
into a Roadrunner.
    On an Imperial, as long as it has the correct block, it probably means
that someone bought a rebuilt motor for it.  face it, if you find a 4
speed in an Imperial, it AIN'T RIGHT!!!








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