Numbers Matching Drivetrain

How important is having a numbers matching drivetrain in a Maverick or Comet? What if it were a 3 spd manual car that has been converted to an automatic? Would you get a significant amount more for a numbers matching drivetrain in one of our cars?


Jim

 

Hey Jim,

With the current market for these cars. I honestly don't think it would make much of a difference in re-sale value.

 

I would also say that a numbers matching drivetrain means nothing in a Maverick/Comet. My orange car doesn't have the original motor/trans....and I really doubt it is worth any less.

 

I was going to keep mine numbers matching because I liked the idea and thought it might be a small selling point to some potential buyers, even if it didn't raise the price. But, any small advantage from matching numbers was later overwhelmed by the advantages of a roller block and a Broader Perf transmission. And, anyone who would care much about matching numbers would probably be looking for a rust-free original anyway.

I might just keep the original engine and transmission. At least until the advantage of some free space overwhelms the idea of keeping them. Or someone offers me a few hundred for them.

 

now days you can make any drivetrain numbers matching but the main thing is date matched parts JMO

brad

 

I would say a numbers matching drive train could be worth a little more in a "collectible" car like a grabber or sprint, but only if it is original or restored to original specs.

 

Forget about it.. Build a hotrod you live close enough to work, so the 2 or 3 mpg is no big deal...lol... So when I buy it from you it better be quick.......

Really tho I truly think our cars for most people would be more valuable as a restomod... I know some of our members would prefer a numbers matching completely stock car.. just my opinion

 

OK, another question. If car was originally a 3 spd manual car, would it hurt the value if it has been converted to an automatic or should be converted back to a 3 spd manual? Which is more appealing to a buyer, a manual or automatic?


Jim

 

Only way it would matter is if it were a super low mileage, perfect condition all original car, IMO.

 

Well Jim, you know that I'm changing my factory manual shift grabber to an automatic (only because I have a bunch of money in that setup) But my guess is there is a lot of fans of a manual trans.. There is a lot of 5 speed guys on this forum... So my vote is for the manual shift....

 

Only to about 5 people, and only 3 of those could afford to buy the car if you ever sold it.

 

Depends on who is buying it. I prefer an Automatic.....so an auto is worth more to me. Some people prefer a stick and will never own an auto....so there you go.

Build the car the way YOU want it.

 

I agree only a hand full of these cars would benifit from having the original #'s matching power train, like the grabbers,sprints,comet gt's and very clean original un restored cars. I think more people in general would want the automatic trans. and I don't think changing it over from a manual will hurt its value, as it could just as well be put back to a manual trans. the big thing to me would be make it the way you want it ... and if you kept all the parts so if some day ,some one ,wanted to they could put it back the way it was, cool.

 

I rebuilt factory motor,trans,rearend. I kept all pieces I took off so I could take it back to factory specs if I choose. Not sure it matters with these cars.

 

As long as there are mustangs and camaros that came with factory big blocks and 4 speeds, the maverick/comet isn't going to get much love.

Especially if it's a 3 on the tree 250 straight 6 combo.

Even the 302 4 spd grabbers and GT don't fetch much coin.