Numbers Matching
by Barry Washington
(Updated 03/28/2005)

 

Is your T/A or AAR numbers matching, and what does that really mean anyways?

For a Challenger T/A or AAR Cuda to be numbers matching, it means that ALL of the original serial numbered components are still with the car.

The numbers that should match are:
  • The dash VIN
  • The mylar VIN sticker on the back of the driver’s side door
  • The fender tag VIN
  • The engine VIN
  • The transmission VIN
  • The body VIN on the cowl
  • The body VIN on the radiator support

These photos are from my T/A (JH23J0B311229).
Let's start with the dash VIN, viewable through the windshield. You can see that the VIN is JH23J0B311229.
dash_311229.jpg (11237 bytes)

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Here is the door mylar sticker, and once again you can see JH23J0B311229.
mylar_311229.jpg (8944 bytes)

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Here is a shot of my fender tag. You can see that it matches as well. All AAR and T/A fender tags will code A53 for the "TRANS AM" package, and the second tag will say TRANS AM.

The AAR and T/A pilot cars are exceptions to this.
tag_311229.jpg (8535 bytes)

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Here is the VIN for my T/A block. You can see that they did not stamp the whole number on the engine and transmission, just the last eight digits 0B 311229.
engine_311229.jpg (14537 bytes)

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All T/A and AAR blocks will have this casting number cast into the driver’s side. Note the “T.A.” and that the last number varies. It is the core revision number.
casting_311229.jpg (11016 bytes)

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Here is a shot of the VIN on the transmission, once again, it is 0B 311229
trans_311229.jpg (7420 bytes)

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For the body numbers, the year code and the plant code are transposed. These can be a little hard to see because of the paint at times. The VIN on the cowl reads B0 311229.
cowl_311229.jpg (4938 bytes)

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The VIN on the radiator support also reads B0 311229.
rad_311229.jpg (5999 bytes)

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If your T/A or AAR numbers match in all these areas then it is considered “Numbers Matching”.

It can get better though! If you have any original paper work for the car, the VIN on the paper work should also match. Paper work that may match could include:

  • Broadcast sheet(s)
  • Consumer information sheet.
  • Window sticker.
  • Warranty card.
  • Other dealer paper work.

Any or all of these original items would add to the cars history and value if they match the car’s VIN.

 

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