When cars are examined and evaluated, originality is one of the more important factors, especially in higher-value automobiles. However, when these cars are not original, good deals can occasionally be had if the buyer can live with the modifications. Up for auction is a good example of this situation. Check out this 1974 Porsche 911 here on eBay. This 911 is located in Ontario, CA, and at the time of writing this article, was bid up to $30k. Repainted in a shade of ruby red, will the non-original color keep this car from reaching typical 911 prices from this period?
There was a period where many normal car guys listed air-cooled Porsches as potential restoration candidates. A decent car could be found, and due to the relative simplicity of these cars, they could be worked on and enjoyed in hobby garages. However, as the value of these cars went through the stratosphere, they were priced out of many average folks’ price range. It seems, though, that the prices for these cars have stabilized, at the least, and maybe have started to come down a tick. That being said, they are still not in the average hobbyist range any longer.
There is a good reason that the prices of these cars have increased so much: the market finally caught on to how good these cars are. Or, everyone who had a poster of a 911 on their wall when they were kids could finally afford their dream car. Probably a mixture of both! The Porsche designers and engineers got it right when they created the 911, and we are seeing the results from producing such a fine car.
We get a pretty good picture of this car from the listing. There are good pictures and a detailed explanation of the car’s condition. This car shows as a driver, with surface rust on the undercarriage and engine components. But the big red elephant in the room is the paint. For most old cars, this is to be expected. But for the Porsche set, originality is critical to the value. The fact that this car is wearing a different shade of paint than what it came out of the factory means that it may not realize the sky-high figures that 911s of this vintage bring. Regardless, this would be a riot to drive and enjoy as is. What do you think? Does the paint hurt the value enough to make this a bargain?
Interesting car. I wouldn’t get excited about the paint change but this example is as poorly done as you can get. Sloppy work, dirty engine with carbs vs. the stock fuel injection with rusty tin work underneath. Not sure what’s going with the rear window trim either. Think maybe I’d go look around for another one.
You’d want to take it for a drive and see if it revs out, wouldn’t you? Paint might cheapen it, but you want to thrash it about… don’t you?
30 year old tyres says it all. Pass.
That interior looks like the car was used to transport a couple of road workers out to the job site. It also screams neglect. That, plus shoddy paint, dirty engine and rust barely hiding says “nope” in my book.
I’m still kicking myself for not buying a 911SC 10 years ago when a decent car was 18-20k. Instead I bought a ’73 Mach I, thinking, “I’ll enjoy this for a few years and move up to the 911”.
Ha! That Mustang was the worst car I’ve owned out of hundreds. Nothing against those cars in general – I love ’em, but this one was just never right. Engine was a mess, wiring issues…Just a problem child of a car. Lost money when I sold it too. But it was a great looking car at least.
Never did get that 911 yet…
Kind of in the same boat. Back in the late 1970s I answered an ad for a 1967 911 with airport gears (whatever that means). It was totally rust free and in excellent condition for $3500. I called the seller and told him I’m about 2 hours away but I had the cash and was leaving right then. By the time I got to where the car was, he had taken a deposit from another buyer. So, on the long drive back home I saw a forlorn MGB sitting out in someone’s lawn. I stopped, had a look, knocked on the door and bought it on ther spot for $3500. The next day the guy with the 911 called me, saying the guy with the deposit cannot complete the buy so if I wanted it still I could have it. But my money was now invested in what turned out to be a problem laden MG so I told him no.
Cheap 911s only existed in the USA, so be grateful that you had the chance. Here in Europe, prices have always been relatively high and we don´t benefit from dry climates.
So from a European point of view, mere paint and trim issues are welcome at a price around $30000. The buyer would almost certainly be a restomodder willing to spend big to build their dream.
As originally a Light Yellow paint its a bit rare, so the chintzy respray puts a big dent on value. Also looks to have been sitting for a long, long time. Last Cal emission test was 1997 and appears to be missing its air injection pump, et al emissions gear, it might even have been an engine swap to an earlier 2.2L/2.4L version which would be sufficient compared to the 2.7L.
If it’s running and no bondo I’d say the current bid won’t get much higher, sub40. Since it’s mostly original albeit tattered, it could be a decent project big expense return it to the original color with refurb of the interior. Won’t win any concourse but certainly worth saving.
That’s the saddest story I’ve heard in awhile Jimbo.