This Porsche Speedster survivor is a really cool car and is poised for the next chapter in its life. Said to likely have spent its entire life near Dallas, Texas, the car was put into storage around 1983. It is up for auction later this month and you can read more about it here on RM Sotheby’s website and there are also a bunch of large high-resolution photos detailing every aspect of the car. The car is offered with no reserve and a catalog estimate of $125,000 to $150,000. The car is being sold at the Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction on October 27, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Unfortunately, the exact ownership history of chassis 83799 is not known. The auction ad does state “After being shipped to Max Hoffman’s distributorship in New York City, 83799 was dispatched to its selling dealer and thence to its first owner. While its early history is unknown, it appears quite likely that this Speedster was first sold and spent most or all its life in or near Dallas, Texas, where the current owner purchased it around 1983 with the intent of restoring it. Instead, after sanding off most of the paint, the owner put the car into storage…”
The ad says the engine is original and left the factory as number 81253. “…retains its original 1600 pushrod four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, and four-speed transmission, as documented by a copy of its Kardex and Porsche Production Specification certificate.” The plug wires and a few other small parts look new. The engine is said to run and has about 70,000 original miles on it.
Regarding the interior, the ad states: “It was also optionally equipped with coupe seats, rather than the standard Speedster buckets that lacked an adjustable backrest. Although the original paint and interior colors are not listed, the door-jamb paint plate is stamped with code 608 for Silver metallic. That would have been matched with a red or black leatherette interior and a black canvas folding top with black Tonneau cover.” Unfortunately, the original seats have been replaced with Speedster buckets. I say unfortunately because I would assume original equipment would make the car slightly more valuable although Speedster seats are certainly more desirable.
Other features of this car include the following: original top with bows, metric gauges, new shocks, and U.S. spec bumpers. The ad is clear that a full restoration will require quite a bit of new sheet metal work. Even though the car is from Texas, it shows quite a bit of rust. What do you think about this car? Would you spend the money to restore it or drive it as-is?
Would need to look at all the usual places where these rust. is it worth that kind of coin??? Good luck to the new owner, you would have no idea of what a restoration would entail from these pics.
Cheers
GPC
I’m way more into bikes than cars (3 vs. almost 100) but I love truly original machines and their patina when it helps tell a story; this one shows well and has a pretty interesting story to share in my opinion. While I think the estimate is nothing short of shocking I can honestly say that I love the car the way it looks and if I wanted an old, Porsche to own and drive occasionally I’d prep this surface as it is right now for the application of several layers of the best mat or satin clear coat money could buy. Of course I’d take the time ti remove the badges and reinstall them over the clear coat. And that would come after addressing any and all mechanical or electrical needs it has to once again be 100% safe, roadworthy and FUN to drive. I’d let people see it as it’s been sitting for the last 35 or so years which is far longer than the car was ever in new shape and then some level of good condition in it’s life thus far based on what’s being shared. There’s a story to be told which vanishes completely on a visual level when it gets fully, and accurately restored to look new again. And I’d bet $500 that if presented as I’ve described it would attract far more attention at both a small local car enthusiast gathering just as it would at a high end snooty, count the wire ties dress up judged event. And if you can, imagine how striking it would look on a freshly moved field of bright green grass in comparison to the dry and slightly brownish location we see it today. Preserve when possible even when perfect is not what you’ll be looking at.
I would think that a correct restoration of this car would surpass $100,000. Not a expert – just a guess.
Car is junk…..worth about $1000 dollars
1st step for restoration would be to get rid of the US spec bumpers, they look totally ugly on that car! I know they are OEM and probably removing them would hurt the value of little but depending on what you’re going to do with the car it would certainly make it look better. It’s certainly going to be a distraction to get over $100,000 for it in the state it’s in my opinion.
Nice VW 👀
It’s got Patina and owned by the late Clark Gable and then jerry Seinfeld makes the history i would create perfect for faux lineage 😄. Hey if one drops 225 in a Porsche upon restoration it needs lineage ✅
I didn’t realize the definition of survivor had changed so much.
Steve R
Certainly has taken on a much broader definition. Yes it has survived but in what condition?
Where was this stored?? On the deck of the Titanic? LMAO
It doesn’t look that rusty to me? Especially for a Porsche.
Rusty?
I wish my 914 was rusty like that!
If I had the money (and the mansion), I would put it in my living room.
No lineage, just make some up, how reputable. I guess honor and principle have no need here. Gotta find another place to hang out.
What part was made up? The write up never suggests that should be done.
Steve R
@Balstic. Go for it.
Another potentially overpriced, rusted-out 356…
I would rather have that nice white 912 listed here last week. These are a rip off.
How about a separate site for Porsche’s??? Tired of these over priced ”projects” along with most other Porsche’s.
@Sir Mike – I couldn’t agree more.
I totally agree . I’m so sick so of seeing these rusted out overpriced pos’s
I would put a flat six from a 90s 911 in this puppy… and document it on Instagram.Just for the death threats.
If you want death threats, put a 1600 VW motor in there.
I would light this pos on fire and post it on Instagram and Facebook just so people would quit doing write ups on overpriced rusted out garbage Porsche’s
Had a 1958 Super Speedster. FUN! This one looks to be all there. I don’t believe the 70k miles, likely 170k, maybe more…
but have seen much worse. Nice piece. I hope it goes to a good home and
goes back on the road.
It will need to be painted, the guy already started sanding, so driving it as-is isn’t a good choice.
I love Porsche’s, but this looks like a rolling cockroach! $125,000, madness!
I think when ageing Boomers like me die off, the value of little Porsches will drop by 50% or more.
Survivor,it’s NOT and barn find is even a stretch unless the barn had no roof,,and the porsche was a container for rock salt…
The only thing i see is a glorified vw, only stupid people with big pockets will bid on this wreck . The only thing it survived is a crusher ! Restored itll bring 6 digits and they are easy to restore as theres not much to them.
Why would any right minded person sand the paint off then store it?? looks like a somewhat flattened VW Beetle.
Todays Barn Finds ,were one of those days where almost every listing triggered a memory about that particular car. Owned one, sold one, worked on one, wanted one you name it. Then sometimes there’s not a single car that sparks, any interest. However, I have to comment on the Porsche Speedster. It was January of 1968, and my good friend John and I, just got word from our Uncle Sam that we had won an all inclusive vacation to Southeast Asia for a year of fun and sun on the beautiful beaches there.
Needless to say we were thrilled and fortunately the ETD was a few weeks away. So we thought lets put a little cash together, I have no idea now why we thought we needed to do that. Johns dad had died a few years before, he was a very well known doctor, and he left John his 1957 Porsche Speedster, it needed some attention ,but not much, it was only 11 years old.
John said you have done body and paint (somewhat of a stretch) but yeah. Lets fix it and sell it before we leave. Five gallons of Bondo, and 1/2 gallon of silver metallic, and in a week or so, I proclaimed it finished. We needed to sell it quick. One we leaving and two I didn’t want the Bondo to fall off before we could cash in. We finally excepted the best cash offer, 1200 dollars and left on our new adventure with cash in our pockets. At the time we knew it was, or could be a relative rare car. Duh, you think? Why did we think we should do this or why we needed the money ,I have no idea to this day. STUPID!
For that kind of money I would buy a AC Cobra.. Hahahahahaa…
I restorer Porsches jags Mercedes for a living. From these pics. YOU can’t determine what this car needs! Off the bat u have to have good metal to weld metal too. Two guarantee when you blast this thing u will have more holes then u anticipated! Interior and gauges have to be rebuilt perfect! Realistic car is worth now about no more than 60 to 75 thousand. Your going to have another 100 to 130 thousand in it conservatively when done. That’s concourse level.yes I am expensive but done correctly to factory. That’s assuming everything else is correct. Good luck with what they think it’s worth at auction!!!
I couldn’t in good conscience drop that kind of money on a German
tin worm farm. A Beck replica with modern go fast parts would give more enjoyment, less headache, and more seat time. With the leftover cash you could buy another toy.
the guy who buys this won’t care how much it costs to restore.
Linseed oil all over every metal part, freshen all mechanicals, and enjoy the experiences you’ll have everywhere you go!
1958 US bumper specs? Maybe 1968.
Incorrect air cleaners (912 or 356C?), steering wheel, gages, and most likely the seats. All easy to correct. My guess is it will fetch close to the estimate and it will cost north of $100k to get it right. Speedsters are a blast to drive, but as written in the comments not for everyone. Thank goodness the world offers a wonderful selection of diverse rides in all different flavors. That’s is a good thing.
Incorrect air cleaners (912 or 356C?), steering wheel, gages, and most likely the seats. All easy to correct. My guess is it will fetch close to the estimate and it will cost north of $100k to get it right. Speedsters are a blast to drive, but as written in the comments not for everyone. Thank goodness the world offers a wonderful selection of diverse rides in all different flavors. That’s is a good thing.