t-topflyer
Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2007
Keep in mind turbo Buick's with non-matching vin numbers means 0 as far as value on these cars. It's not like you could order a big block or any other engine/trans combo for that matter. On vehicles that all came with only one type engine and trans it means 0 in value. I've seen sub 10K GNX's with non matching engine and trans vins. Like most stated already it was very common to blow these engines up in the first year or two when they were new. Like Steve stated most blocks will be stamped with SG1 and that was the replacement block and would not have a vin stamped on it. I believe if the dealer did the install they would re-stamp the block with the cars vin but don't quote me on that. As long as the engine and trans was not from a stolen car, I could care less what vin numbers are stamped on one of these cars.
It may not matter to you, but it's a big deal to me as far as value goes. You could actually get several different engine/transmission/axle combinations in Regals especially in 1987. 307 Olds, 3.8 non-turbo, 3 speed automatic, 4 speed automatic. Something to consider is that if values increase over time, more and more people may try to clone the less valuable Regals into turbo versions. For example, it wouldn't be impossible to clone a non-turbo equipped 1987 T that originally came with a 5.0L Olds into a Turbo-T. Should make it worth more right?
Or, lets say a nice low mileage GNX comes up for sale and you're in the market for a GNX. The owner tells you it's the real deal, never had anything done to it, and you think it's a nice GNX. The car is priced right in line with the market for the car, but since you don't care about VIN stampings, and the owner tells you it's the real deal and he does seem like a trustworthy individual who would never tell you a lie, you pay the market GNX price for it because those numbers don't matter to you so you didn't check them. It might matter to you when someone tries to buy it from you and you then find out it's worth considerably less than what you paid for it to the majority of other collectors that do care about the numbers that you find out at that point are missing.