I dont know who originally started this "date code" thing way back when.To me who cares if the original is gone?It will never be a numbers car again unless you find the original so why bother?Last year I sold my 68 charger r/t.4 speed dana track pack car,original engine was gone and most people didnt care and nobody asked if it was correct date code.I guess i just dont see the logic behind it.But to each his own,I'll get off my pedestool now,lol