General opinion

[Ishiftem]

I get why date codes would matter and add value to a car with VIN matching block, but I'm struggling with why it would matter with a clone car, would it make a clone car more valuable to have correct date codes?

In my opinion it does. Auction results prove it out whether it’s a 409 car, mustang, corvette, etc. I think it’s even more so with a 409 car. There just is really no good way to authenticate these cars without a matching block or even more rare documents. It seems most restored 409 cars have neither which means to me that they might as well be clones. And when looking at clones, the more accurate and detailed will bring more dollars.

 

[region rat]

I think sometimes I'd prefer a 6 cylinder car because it is less likely to be molested by its previous owners.

Probably not beat to death. I's rather find a 340 horse block to use over a QB. Same reason. I'll beat it to death myself.

 

[region rat]

In my opinion it does. Auction results prove it out whether it’s a 409 car, mustang, corvette, etc. I think it’s even more so with a 409 car. There just is really no good way to authenticate these cars without a matching block or even more rare documents. It seems most restored 409 cars have neither which means to me that they might as well be clones. And when looking at clones, the more accurate and detailed will bring more dollars.

Odd as it sounds, many resto mods bring more money than restored cars.

 

[327]

I like keeping it old school. The way it was.

 

[rsavage]

No matter what the car and powertrain, one with a matching number engine/trans will have a premium price tag and it should. These 409 cars were made with engines built to go fast and more than likely were abused some in their 60+ year existence. They were only made from late '61 through mid '65. I have seen 409 engines being advertised for up to $25K rebuilt. Don't know if they get that for them but they try. I think $10 - $15k is a common ask.

 

[409newby]

The original air cleaners I've seen on 409's had 16, small blocks 15 and if original the dimples were over the top and down the sides a bit. The 400hp version from Show Cars the dimples were only on top but otherwise very nice.

 

[63 dream'n]

No matter what the car and powertrain, one with a matching number engine/trans will have a premium price tag and it should. These 409 cars were made with engines built to go fast and more than likely were abused some in their 60+ year existence. They were only made from late '61 through mid '65. I have seen 409 engines being advertised for up to $25K rebuilt. Don't know if they get that for them but they try. I think $10 - $15k is a common ask.

If you don’t consider the cost of the block 10 K’s the bottom I’d say 15+

 

[region rat]

I have one with 16 dimples and a 2 bbl base. From a 67 Nova SS.
Is the lid the same as an 09?
Bob Walla

 

[our1962]

Bob if looks like the 15 dimple on my 409/400hp yes.

 

[Lebe]

My '64 Impala V8 rag has a 340 HP/409 that came out of another '64 Impala four door but was manufactured four months after the ragtop. Because it is a period correct 409 is it really worth that much less than a nos. matching car?

 

[rsavage]

Equal condition and equipped cars in demand colors. an original engine numbers matching car will be worth more from what I have observed.

 

[425/409ER]

If it's your car, build it the way you like it, those that thum their noses down on that are usually the people who drive a POS car show critics anyway. F-them, enjoy what you have, life's too short to restore stuff anyway.

 

[327]

Well said ... 425/409ER ...

 

[Super Stock]

Amen...for me, it's much more fun to realize a concept, rather than try to precisely duplicate what the guys at the Arlington plant put together in 1964.

 

[rsavage]

I like both. I have done a couple GTOs and 2 first gen Blazers stock and enjoyed building them correct. My 63 has been kept stock except for a few things that I am removing. M’y ‘59 Elky is far from original and I like that it has FI and lots of upgrades. I enjoy driving both. Can’t see me doing another full restoration on anything else. Too old and don’t have the stamina to do it.

 

[awsumcars]

All opinions can be construed as valid, however regardless of all the opinions, in my first frame off restoration of this 63' Belair, I painstakingly tried to acquire as many "date and number correct parts", not to impose it was something it wasn't, but just for the f*****g fun of it all. The "excitement and fun" of learning numbers, dates and what was done at the factories was what got my heart pumping. Just another "opinion"!

 

[awsumcars]

I meant to post this picture the frame off restoration. (showing off here). The race engine wasn't ready for our Bowling Green (2015?) meet so I pulled the 425 hp off the frame, put it in the 62' Belair. I wasn't going to miss that meet, come hell or high water!