How important is numbers matching? Options

[McLovin]

Hey all,

Just wondering how important a numbers matching car is vs. a non-matching car.

Like how important would it be for a 914-6? If the engine doesn't match, but it's otherwise the correct engine, would it be valued the same or would you expect a discount as a buyer? How much of a premium or discount?

Is there a difference in value between a car with a numbers matching 1.8L engine, or a car that's supposed to have a 1.8L, but someone has swapped in a 2.0L? All things being equal, which car is more desirable?

Thanks,

[JeffBowlsby]

Some of us need a paradigm shift on todays reality on 914/4 cars.

When the best examples of 914/4s are commanding prices of $40K...they are already in that collector realm. The price escalation trend began many years ago.

They are only original once. Those who beat on these cars and make irreversible personalizations, only depreciate the value of their own cars generally down, while at the same time driving the values of original cars generally up. Notice I said 'generally' because there are exceptions...but that is the trend.

PS That word 'original' means different things to different people. Notice how some sellers and braggerts go out of their way to label their car 'original' when its clearly not? Original must mean something to some people.