“Spin” is an interesting tactic when it comes to selling cars. You can tell a good story because there is one – i.e., the old man and his sports car that he’s owned since new and drove all over creation. Or, you can enhance a potential negative to sell it as a positive. In the case of this desirable 1976 Porsche 930, the seller has managed to address the fact that it experienced a color-change back in the day that now seems quite painful to imagine as an interesting anecdote in this car’s history. It’s up to you whether the listing does a sufficient job to convince you that the respray adds value, but regardless, it looks like a very clean example. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $176,500.
Now, as someone who recently attempted a sell a vehicle on eBay for the first time in years, I really can’t fault the seller for asking crazy money. eBay and PayPal take such a huge bit out of your potential earnings that the only way to make it work is to list something with a sky-high price in hopes a buyer contacts you to make a sale happen offline. This is especially true with high dollar vehicles such as this one. Regardless, this 930 has all of the hallmarks of a highly original car aside from the repaint, including California blue plates and records since Day 1.
Now, about the color change: this 930 left the factory wearing what is likely one of the rarer colors to find a Turbo in: Oak Green Metallic. This is an absolutely gorgeous color, and as we’ve seen over the last few years, green has come back into style with force. It’s like any color that was either unpopular when new or overdone at some point in automotive history; eventually, everyone wakes up and realizes how few cars exist in that particular shade of paint. The 930 was always more commonly found in red or black, so Oak Green was undoubtedly already a rare color – and according to the listing, the original owner’s wife didn’t like it, refinishing it in Iris Blue Metallic.
Now, plenty of Porsche fanatics will tell you this, too, is a wonderful color. But when you factor in that this is a slick-top – that is, a car special-ordered with a sunroof-delete and it’s a Turbo and it was Oak Green Metallic – well, you’re talking about a configuration that was safety in the single digits. I can almost guarantee you that based on where the air-cooled market is these days, the next owner will likely commission it to be painted back to its original shade, and they likely won’t lose a dime with that investment. Would you keep it in the non-original color or bring it back to green?
I read the PCA (Porsche Club of America) magazine,
and noticed that c Porsches in rare factory colors can command
more money,as “Porsche People” think that it makes them more
collectible,& worth more money.
Many times it’s an ugly color that almost nobody wanted
when the cars were new.
I bought in 1978 an Autobianchi (Lancia) Abarth with a green paint over black leather seats and a black front bonnet. (All the Abarths had only black front bonnet and only 3 choices of car color Black, Red, Green). I bought it slightly cheaper from the dealership because of the green color i believe and then i repainted it black and it was much better. Now a days as a collector item the green color is valued as rarer and outstanding but the criteria are now different.
And that right there is the problem with the PCA… It is all about the ROI. Porsche owners are RUINING what was once a great marquee…
As a former oak green 911 owner I agree with your opinion. It just looks good on a vintage 911. I have seen oak green on 997 cars and while it looks good it’s not the same as a classic 911. I would run with the current blue unless it needs to be repainted. It’s also about how a color reacts with the shape of the car. For example I have a 61 Corvair Lakewood at the body shop. The original color was red with red cloth interior. I was going to paint it black but then I started thinking about other unique combinations and settled on 70 Mercedes MB-903 blue gray. Saw a picture of a SL with the same dark red interior and it just looks the business with the body curves. If it was a flat panel or a larger car it wouldn’t look good at all.
There is a way to decide the best car color. Take photos of the car, put them in a computer and paint it with an array of different colors to see what is best for it.
There is a way to decide the best car color. Take photos of the car, put them in a computer and paint it with an array of different colors to see what is best for it.
Since I dislike green (on ANY car), this color change saves this 930. Only a tan color interior could hope to help a green exterior shade, but that’s just me. Some people like white cars… I’m not their target buyer…
While I like the blue, I love oak green on a 911/930 particularly with a cork interior. Did the owner devalue it, yes in today’s market, but back when it was done, it didn’t really and it made sense. They wouldn’t have enjoyed it otherwise, so there should be no tears shed. At some point sooner or later though, I’d bet this one ends up back in its original shade.
Regardless of the color, they look fast sitting still. Nice one.