Save the numbers matching engine?

[Emeraldlion]

Soooo, I recently bought a complete numbers matching 1960. It is a true numbers matching car and has the original 36 horse engine. I know at some point I am going to want a little more pep. Just got the engine running and it is running great so my question is, how important do you guys thing the numbers matching engine is to the car overall? Is it worth tearing down the engine now and saving it all so that the car will always have it's original numbers matching 36'er? I think it would be fun to have an old school vintage speed style motor, but I am thinking that continuing to run this engine, rebuilding later and potentially paper-weighting it is not worth it giving the value of things these days. Anyhow, what's everyone's take?

[stale air]

To me? Its a major plus to be able to buy a car, and know that it still has the original motor in it. It is in my opinion a pretty special thing considering just how many years these cars have been on the road, and how easy it is to pull and replace a motor.
If you must replace it with a bigger power plant I would tuck the original 36er away, for if and when you decide to sell her.

Post up some pics!
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[AZ66Bug]

Does the motor actually have the VIN stamped on it?
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66 Beetle Sedan, restored 2014
66 Mustang: Original Owner, restored 2008
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[carcrazed]

I wouldn't take a chance on selling the original motor. Guaranteed down the road, you will regret it. Tuck it away.
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1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles

"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong."

[Emeraldlion]

Yeah it has the correct vin, all original VW parts as well down to carb, dizzy, tin, heater boxes etc. I wasn't planning on selling it, but as opposed to using it as my "vintage speed" type engine I was considering taking it down to a long block and putting everything away in storage then buying another engine and going from there. It just seems that with originality being more and more popular, and these parts getting tougher and tougher to find stashing it may be the wiser option.

[grandpa pete]

I vote store the original engine ;
You can put as many faster engines in it as you want....and then still sell it with the original .
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[Cusser]

I've saved the original engine from my 1971 Convertible.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[panicman]

[Emeraldlion]

Correct. Thanks panic. I meant to refer to the number stamped in the generator stand, which as you said, is not actually the vin but a corresponding number from technical archives. Split case trans corresponds as well.

[gt1953]

Keep that motor for sure it is nice to have a spare.
Read up on how to store engines.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[calebmelvin]

Keep it! Put it in your garage, a friends garage, or even under your bed if you have to. It will make the car much more attractive down the road if you sell.
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Caleb
'68 Tagged Manx | My Wanted Ads
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