There’s bad luck and then there’s something we call a curse. There’s potentially some black magic lurking with this 1978 Porsche 911, which has caught fire twice in its lifetime, with the second blaze proving fatal. Despite being restored on two occasions, and seemingly at a high level both times, this 911 caught fire while on a vehicle transporter and is now listed here on Bring A Trailer in a listing that is as much sad as it is humorous (the latter quality being much to the seller’s credit.) If you ever wanted a cheap air-cooled 911 project, here’s your chance!
This is one of two forms this 911 was previously in. Looking like a light safari build that is all the rage these days, we see a lifted suspension, fat tires, auxiliary driving lamps, and some tasty Group 4 PAG1670 wheels. The pretty Minerva Blue paint job is one of the better colors you can spec an air-cooled 911 in, and in a previous iteration when it was set up for traditional street driving, it wore the same color. Clearly, someone spent some very real money on this Porsche, making its subsequent destruction all the more tragic.
Ouch. Scanning news reports, I can’t find a timeline match for when the transporter this 911 was riding in went up in flames. There’s a reporter from September 2022 in Tennessee that looks like a match, but the listing claims it was involved in a fire in 2021. What’s unfortunate is that this looks like the right set-up for moving a car of this caliber, as it looks like it was a traditional enclosed hauler. Regardless, we’ve seen all manners of news reports lately about how the shipping industry is dominated by brokers who often have no idea that the caliber of individuals or transporters hauling your pride and joy.
There was serious money spent on this 911 over the last few years, with bespoke touches throughout the interior in the pre-fire photos. The engine, too, was breathed on, with the listing noting that it “…was fitted with individual throttle bodies, coil-on-plug ignition, and Electromotive TECgt-200 engine management in 2015.” Perhaps that’s part of the motivation behind the sale – that some parts can be pillaged – but this looks like a way to bring more eyeballs to BaT than anything else. And with 11,400 views and three days left, it’s doing exactly that.
Not a metallurgist but if it’s been burned twice it’s hard to imagine any salvage value with the change in its composition. IMHO, for whatever that isn’t worth, the only things apparently even remotely salvageable are the front wheels, parts of the front facia and hopefully some front suspension bits.
How very sad to see.
GLWTA
I agree with you on that one. I’m no metallurgist either, but an intense, hot fire like this most likely had would definitely weaken everything. Its sad too, looks like it was really nice.
A fried111 of the highest order.
I agree, parts car only. But in my history circle it’s bad luck blue. So it’s to be expected. As I have stated (and experienced) before. In my case the keys don’t even have to be in the ignition for a blue car of mine to get totalled. As much as I like (or did) the color blue. It has become a non-starter for me.
This crispy critter sold for $6,500.00.
Someone sees potential that I don’t or they desperately need that front bumper and can’t find it anywhere else. I wouldn’t even make the 5+/- hour drive to see this in person
Front bumper is fiberglass. Surprised it survived.
Does it still run?
This would make a great backyard grill.
Its a real fire ball..
Junk … crush it…
And it’s probably still more valuable than a nice 928 of the same year!
Bad luck, or good insurance policy… Hmmm
When I see the prices for the rotted out junk Porsche’s that certain dealer’s in NY and California are asking? This seems like it might go for 6 figures.
Numerical irony.
Why would you show a POS like this ? WTF is wrong with you !!!
Take a deep breath, exhale.
Move to the next listing…
Probably won’t buff out. 😆
My old man is a television repairman, he’s got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.
Lit when parked…
The commentary on BaT is worth reading…
The front bumper and the headlights look good!! The interior needs a few touch ups!! Owner is probably asking just under $40K! After all… it is a 911…or was……………..Take a 911 and put it in a crusher until it is a 4×4 cube; now take a 20 year old Hyundai Sonata and do the same thing… guess what? They are both worth the same amount to the metal guy!!
If this was a beetle someone would be trying to put this on the road
Up to $900 for a front nose wall hanger, that would look cool on your shop wall. Maybe some engine parts, I bought a 1982 911SC from California back in the late 80s for $8,000, it had 162k miles, blue with a sunroof. Ran great, I sold it to get a 55 Chevy, oh well, I have an automotive addiction. My FB group is called Automotive Addicts Anonymous LOL.
Seems like anything with the name “Porsche” on it , is a salable item. The seller has a lively sense of humor, listing this toasted toad! 🐸
SOLD for $6,500.
For a title and a VIN plate?
For a title and a VIN plate?