. This is an HO car just not numbers matched. You still have a chance to make this an original car if you got lucky and found the correct motor.
Not in agreement with this statement. There are plenty of folks using the term "correct" or "period correct" which does not make it an "original, born with" car. If you don't have one or all of the # match drive train, it should be called out as an non-numbers match, even though period correct, and yes this does take away of the value. Parts that wear out (starters, alternators, shocks, batteries, brake components, etc) get a pass if they are period correct repops in my opinion.
For your car, I'd present as a a 68 vert HO (which it is) w/ a correct (if block date codes correlate with the vehicles production) NOM (non-matching motor) which is an honest statement, if the aforementioned production date is verified. Stating that it the motor is correct implies period-correct which is a miss-guided and deceiving statement to the term "original". You always have a chance to state "original, born with drive train" if you find the original # match block/motor and all the other components #'s match (good luck with that journey) . If outer drive train parts are non # match, they too should be called out as such.
Just my$0.02.,
KTB-
Restoring and maintaining old cars and old boats....oh what fun we invent for ourselves. Seems to go in stride with ....You don't live it until you own it....Three steps forward....two steps back ....
