Numbers Matching...Theory or fact?

[sholders442]

I am starting to restore a '57 t-bird with a 312 ci, 3speed and was wondering about the "numbers matching" theory. Did the '57 t-bird have any markings on the block, heads, tranny, rear end, ect... that would indicate if it matched the VIN number of the car? If so where are they located? Or is the motor and tranny just from a specific period around the time the car was built?

I have tried to search this forum and any other websites google would give me and have come up empty handed. Any help would be much appreciated!!!