Re: [Amc-list] Verifying Matching Numbers

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Don, "matching numbers" originated with the "big three" US auto makers. At some point in the 60s they started stamping the last six digits of the VIN on the transmission and engine block to identify the original engine and trans in a car. If your car had "matching numbers" it meant it still had the original trans and block. AMC never did this. There is no way to verify that the trans, engine, or any other part is the original in any AMC or Rambler. The only thing you can do is verify that the engine was made at approximately the same date as the car and is of the correct type and size. The serial number used on Ramblers prior to January 1966 only give the model and engine size/type. Starting in 1966 the VIN also includes the transmission type. The factory TSM will clue you in as to what engine and trans was available in a 1960 Classic. There weren't big varieties in general back then, so the 196 OHV engine has a T-96+OD trans -- that's all AMC used in the Classic other than a
 n optional 250 V-8 w/T-86 three speed (with or without OD). The GM Dual Range Hydramatic auto was optional for the six and V-8. 

Check the engine day build code on your engine. You can find what you need at http://www.amcrc.com/tech/engine.html. Remember that car production started about August of the year prior to the model year and ended by June of the model year (1960 models would have been produced roughly from August 1959 through June 1960). The engine may be dated as much as 30 days prior to when the car was built, but never after. The code on your engine would be correct if it's dated July 1959-June 1960. There's no way to tell when the car was built through the year. The serial number was assigned as the orders came in, not as the cars were produced. A low number could have been produced months after the order was received. There is a final assembly number at the bottom of the door tag (with the model, paint, etc. numbers) starting in 1960. That's the sequence it actually rolled off the line. A low number indicates early production, but you can only estimate about when the car was built. If you
  have a low final assembly number and a May 1960 engine code (or vice versa), then obviously the engine was changed at some point. 

There are a few date coded parts, but in general as long as appearance is correct no one checks date codes. If you're doing a museum quality restoration or you're just a stickler for that kind of detail those date codes are important. Most people (and show judges!) are satisfied with an "original in appearance" restoration -- meaning as long as it came with a 195.6 OHV engine and has one in it now it's deemed "restored" or "original", even if it's a 1960 with a 1965 engine. The value on Ramblers and most later AMCs just isn't affected by "matching numbers". The exceptions are few, like the two seater AMX, and value isn't affected by an appreciable amount even then as long as the difference is considered an upgrade. A 100% factory original 290 AMX, for example, doesn't usually bring as much as an AMX with a VIN indicating a 290 with a 390 (or even 360) under the hood. A 290 AMX with a replacement 304, on the other hand, would probably bring a bit less than the original engine 
 would have. The collector car market can be a funny place! 

-----------
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 11:16:35 EDT
From: DonMcCPA@xxxxxxx

How can I verify that the numbers match on my Rambler?  I've  checked the 
engine build date and it seems correct, but am not sure what else I  can easily 
verify.

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://splatter.wps.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/amc-list