Jim,

I haven't seen your car, so I cannot objectively compare it to mine. When getting an appraisal for insurance purposes, having a "numbers match" 400 convertible merely got it a check mark on the column. My car is not perfect but very nice, unrebuilt original engine, trans, rear end, manifold, carb, distributor, radiator, wiring, air cleaner, A/C, etc.

I bought this car last year for $14,500. I could replace it for that, or maybe a little more. So if it was a non-numbers matching almost every option 1969 400 convertible I should have been able to buy it for $9,500 or less? In my dreams!

In a way, there is a little bit of a downside in owning a numbers-match car, and that is the moral obligation to make no irreversible changes. It's the same with my 183 year old timber frame house; when I am doing restoration work, I need to look at the long term effect. So our house still has the original 183 year old windows, with handmade wooden storms, instead of slightly more efficient but out of context vinyl windows.

Ask 100 people for an appraisal, you'll get 100 answers. HD, enjoy your car and the great people on this board. Post some photos so we can see what you have!