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Well if you're coming from the Chevy world you know the answer, simply restamp it to your liking!

Seriously, for a top dollar resto like you describe you need both. And I would say those items you listed above are the "little things" that separate the crap from the nicer cars. If you can have just one PN is more important.

What kind of car are we talking about?

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Car is a 68 hemi road runner.

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I can find the correct part number items to replace, but am not finding the correct (acceptable) date codes on these items. How do others handle this issue?

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Easy, search... search... search... talk around, post wanted adds, make tons of phone calls, etc. - don't expect to find everything easily - it takes time (sometimes up to a year for some extremely hard to find parts)- make sure you explain this to your customer ahead of time.
If your customer has an unreasonable expectation on doing the project in a short timeframe, your going to be having alot of issues. From what you stated alot of the major parts are there, however, as with most "projects" all or most of the little parts are missing... Just remember its the little things that make the differences.


Good luck with your project. Take your time and do your research.

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super high end restoration and would like your input. My client wants a near perfect numbers matching car.

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Sounds like a great project.

You stated that the restoration was to be a "high End" resto with correct parts.

So to answer your question: Part numbers and Date codes are both needed for a 100% correct restoration.
Also needed is a knowlege of correct component and hardware finished- (what parts are painted, left bare metal, correct platings on nuts, bolts, brackets, etc.)

Good luck with your project. Take your time and do your research.

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And Pete would know having built an OE quality car before.

You can get away with some things but by in large the judges will pick up on most inconsistancies wheather it be part#, date code, or correctness in the finish details. If you are going for O.E. judging you better bring your "A Game".

If you are new to this level of restoration you might want to ask your customer to tell you which judging level he plans on shooting for if that's a goal of his, then you should consult with the judging body of choice to get as much detail as required before you continue too far. Starting with a complete car is hard enough, starting with a car missing so many detail items can be a MAJOR challenger these days in gathering the correct ones, sometimes impossible. If his goal is to achieve OE Gold status he may have started with the wrong car simply because so many key original parts are missing. Most shops I'm familiar with leave the parts finding work to the cars owner, or charge a very high premium for seeking them out due to the time involved in finding them, and the usual $ premiums they can bring when found. BTW, a 68 Hemi car is no easy restoration, LOTS of small detail items vary on those cars, it was a transitional year.

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Thanks Scott, Bill and the rest. I knew what you were going to say. You should also know that this car is going to be a driver, and will never go for judging. The guy just wants it "right". But I will do as he request. He will have to understand that right takes time. But for a driver, is this extra time worth it?

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That's all up to him to decide. Personally I'd find the absalute correct componants when the opportunity arrises (date codes, part#'s, etc.) and store them for someday, while running correct appearing replacement parts for driving duty.