This may look like a desirable 993-chassis Porsche 911, but it’s actually a fairly extensive re-creation using a 1992 964 as the basis for the re-skin. This was all the rage back in the 70s and 80s when 911s were made to look like newer cars, but generally speaking, the 964s were fresh enough that owners didn’t mess with those too much. Regardless, the seller has decided he doesn’t wish to go any further, and the 911 remains an engine-less project with no interior. I really can’t fathom doing all this work and not completing it, but perhaps it’s the smart play. Find the 911 here on eBay with bidding to $37,000 and no reserve.
The 993 is arguably one of the more desirable generations of the 911, and certainly one of the hottest eras in the current collector marketplace. A friend of mine just turned a quick profit for over $20,000 buying a tired project-grade 993 and selling it to the first buyer to come along, which tells you exactly how hot the air-cooled 911 market remains. This 911 is caught between a rock and a hard place, as there’s extensive work already done but plenty more to do, and one has to wonder if it would be worth more if it was still a nicely-presented 964 driver. I will say, the conversion is pretty convincing.
My issue with the modernization attempts on cars like these is that the interior still looks like a car from a previous generation. It’s not the end of the world, but the 993 absolutely feels more modern inside than a 964. The good news is the next owner will at least get to decide which direction to take it in; the bad news is, the seller is not including any interior components. I don’t know if you’ve checked but near everything from a replacement parts standpoint on a 911 is expensive, so tracking down an interior from either a 964 or a 993 is going to be an investment in the multiple thousands of dollars. Likely not an issue if you’re spending $40,000 or more on a half-finished project, but it’s something to consider.
Oh, there’s no engine or transmission, either. I would have a hard time looking at this 911 and not wanting to finish it in one direction or another. Go all the way or swap the old panels back on and sell off the kit. The 964 is actually one of my favorite generations of the 911 but it’s also popular with the companies that specialize in back-dating air-cooled 911s. I’ll bet a company like Singer is watching this auction closely, as this forlorn 911 is right up their alley in terms of being the condition that they like to buy 911s in before working their magic. How would you restore this converted 911 if it was in your driveway?
Seems like a real uphill battle on this one. I think I would have gone about making this a runner first. Makes me wonder what the car looked like before the body kit was installed. I think the best thing for this car would be for a company like Singer to scoop this up and reimagine it for a future customer.