We are all well aware of the epic spike in prices for early Porches, as has been well documented here. What we’re now beginning to see are 911’s and 356’s coming out of the woodwork in every configuration and condition, an epidemic of sellers looking to cash in on the fast rise in values and devil-may-care attitude of buyers who believe they’re ahead of the inevitable bubble. While it’s not how I’d spend my money, it sure does make for some interesting finds showing up on eBay, like the subjects of this week’s Face Off: a 1971 911E here on eBay with bidding over $10K and the reserve unmet, and a 1962 356 B here on eBay  for $22,700. Let the battle begin!

From a staging perspective, I already like the 356 better. I don’t know where it’s squirreled away at the moment, but it looks like a very fun showroom. This particular 356 does not have the cherished Certificate of Authenticity, so you’re buying a bit of an unknown entity with this example. Coming from an estate sale means the current seller bought a project the heirs didn’t want to bother with (or had no idea what 356s were pulling on the market these days), or perhaps they saw the motor sitting in boxes and felt like it was too much of a project. I can’t tell quite how bad the rust is based on the photos, as it looks like some work was already started – but no matter what was done, there’s a long road ahead of the next owner.

By comparison, the 911E in Alabama looks like it has sat for about the same period of time as the 356, with a heavily weathered interior and rust blistering through the paint in multiple spots. I will say this: this seller has also advertised the car in an intriguing environment, with plenty of other projects in the background I’d gladly waste a few dollars on. The original color of this 911 was Albert Blue and I agree with the listing description that it deserves to be repainted in that stunning shade. Same family ownership for 30 years is nice to see, but geez – how many of those 30 years did it sit forlornly outside? Still, it doesn’t appear to have been modified or mercilessly beaten on, but I’m sure we’ll all still be amazed at how much this project Porsche will go for.

While this week’s Face Off pits two familiar candidates against each other, it’s a worthwhile discussion considering the selling price for either car will be higher than they’ve likely been in the past. But when the bubble blows up, which one will you wish you invested in? Does the 356 have a better shot at maintaining its value than the early 911s? Let us know in the comments below.