First be sure to read info. on gators topic.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Cowl tag should read as follows,paint #631...Ivory & Harvest gold 2 tone......Trim # T520 ,Biege cloth& Green fake leather.Serial # on left front door post V(indicates 8 cyl.,C indicates BelAir,55 for year.next is a letter that identifys assembly plant.The serial numbers.....Engine number stamped in front of right cyl. head on block .First is serial number of engine then F or T for plant that made engine.then 55 for year and last F which indicates 2 Bbl. P.G.These numbers can be restamped so ???.A '55 265 will have either NO oil filter or a orange & blue AC mounted on top front of engine.All later V8's had filter hanging in lower left rear corner of block. Just about everything on engine has an identifing number and date code so to check all items you would need a number book and about two days.
if you want a car with just the correct year parts it would keep
most people happy if the price is right.If you pay a premium price just to get matching numbers be sure they really match.My '57 has all correct '57 parts but not matching numbers,its a VCCA preservation car but would not do well in Classic Chev. competition..... :p :)