I find all this stuff a little funny. I used to work with collectable musical implements and the details people would misguidedly swear black and blue on, amazed me. I have no misplaced ego, or axe to grind. This is about what I've seen.
Provenance is impeccable on that one. Often getting under a car is all that's required (check the muffler hanger brackets).
The car that motor came from, had about 70 000 miles on it. It ran the original carb, heat tubes, everything. Head never off; under the valve cover was like new. I made a point of photographing the OEM part number plate welded to the tube. The headers had been removed, patched up and refitted. They then rusted out again (some holes are visible). Their metal was so thin by that stage, I could crush it with my hand.
FYI, the car is/was with a paint & panel customiser in Bucketty who's fitting some US tudor doors and a little other work. Motor was replaced with a 351 (yawn). Owner is a guy called Brad who runs a sheetmetal roofing supply place on the Central Coast. I now have the original 3 speed all-synchro box for my wagon!
Thirty years ago vs thirty-three... It could seem a tough call. Who could pick the tidy work of a gun welder replicating an E49 setup, with 30 years of usage, grime and over-repairs? I'm not saying they NEVER came with duals, but
this one was ALWAYS single.
So, are we going to argue cams, too? (I dialled the lift while I was at it - stock as they come.) Batey, I'll see if I can get the aircleaner off the present owner.
Cheers, Adam.