[Jeff H]

I was in the same situation with another JL8 car. I was 99% sure it was not the original engine but after talking to the 2nd owner who verified the 4 wheel disc brakes and also told me about a bunch of options that had been added to the car, I was comfortable buying it. It took me too long to decide though and someone else bought it the day I was going to give him a deposit. In your situation, if the asking price is based on the current owner saying it is the original engine, then I would need to see some solid proof of that. Otherwise I would offer what I felt the car was worth with a "correct" engine and components. I hate the fact that some people call a car "matching #'s" when it doesn't have the original VIN matching components. To me, that is "correct components". A lot of dealers use "matching #'s" when they should be using "correct". Based on what you've told us, I think you'll always be thinking in the back of your mind that you're not sure if it's the original engine or not, so buy it thinking it isn't.