Advice Needed About Selling 911S 2.2

[csawyer]

I have a 1970 911S Targa which I have owned since 1989. It’s my third 2.2 liter 911S and the last of at least 10 Porsches I’ve owned over the years. My very first Porsche was a 2.2 911S Coupe (bought in 1982), and this car has always been my favorite 911. I much prefer it to the 2.4 liter 911S, as the 2.2 has the higher compression ratio and much sharper response – sounds much better, too. I also much prefer the racing gearshift pattern with dogleg first gear. Also, the 2.2 is the last 911 before the “value engineering” which replaced all the lovely magnesium parts with plastic.

Unfortunately I will have to sell this much beloved car, as I need the money, and my return to the U.S. has been delayed indefinitely. I have been storing it in the garage of a rental house I own in Atlanta. I would like some advice from you guys about the best way to go about it.

The car has been in dry storage but hasn’t been driven in about 14 years. I will replace batteries and service the engine and I presume it will drive fine as it did when I put it into storage. The car is in unmolested original condition with all numbers matching. The car has the brushed stainless steel targa bar and gold anodized emblems but will need restoration. The interior is deteriorated and will need to be completely redone. The car was repainted by the previous owner in dark burgundy – from the original signal orange. The paint is ok and I guess could be left as is, but I presume that whoever buys the car would want to strip it down and redo it. The engine was freshened by Franz Blam himself at Franz Blam Racing in the early ‘90’s and has been driven less than 10,000 miles since then, and I presume is still running well. It could be that after standing for so long it will need heat exchangers, but I will do this if necessary. I had a little accident with the car in the ‘90’s and replaced the driver’s side door and have not painted it to match the rest of the body. Only the door was damaged; the car is otherwise accident- and damage-free. I believe the body is nearly rust free, with just a bit in the battery boxes and perhaps in the upper rear fenders as is usual on this car.

Here is what I need advice on: Should I have the car restored before putting it up for sale, or sell it like this? I think it needs very little to be in very nice condition – I would have the engine, gearbox, and suspension out, have the body stripped down to bare metal and repainted in the original color, then have everything put back in with new suspension mounts, shocks, , motor mounts, etc. Then a completely new interior and recover the targa top. Maybe I should do this myself and then sell it? Or what do you guys think?

One other question: Is it better to sell the car in the U.S., or bring it over to the U.K. where I live now?

I sure hate to sell this car, but I need the money – new roof for a house, new sails for my boat, etc., etc. I will be grateful for any advice.

[silverc4s]

Csawyer,
I was interested in your post as I also have a 2.2l 911S, a 1970 coupe, that I also purchased in 1989. I have done a complete mechanical rebuild of my car, completed some time ago.
It would be quite costly to completely restore your targa now, and it would be concerned about recovering the cost if I were just doing this restoration for resale. These days, many collectors / purchasers would like to have an original car as opposed to a fully restored example. Now I understand that our car is no longer original in some respects, but it may be more valuable than you think in its present state.
I would suggest a full service, new batteries, perhaps tires, get it running & tuned as best possible, then have it appraised by someone in the area. If it still has the original motor with MFI intact, it likely has a six figure value in that condition.
You could ask on here for an expert in your area to assist with some of this if you are overseas.
Good luck with the project!

[Frankr]

Full detail and get running as well as possible. Sell

[beh911]

Those two responses sum it up.

Just don't kid yourself that a car sitting for 14 years will only need an oil change and draining of the fuel tank. Meaning, plan to spend some money to get it in running condition. This could include MFI pump rebuild, fuel tank replacement, brakes, electrical troubleshooting, etc.

It will be difficult for you to come out ahead by embarking on the restoration now in the hopes of recouping your investment down the road. Lot$ of unknown$ lurking no doubt.

[Greg D.]

I think you could get more money in the UK (all of Europe is within reach) - say same price in euros as in $. You could also get more $ with a well running car than a project.... But as mentioned above, a partial resto is another story not conducive to quick cash... and I know European countries tend to have more stringent inspections (MOT, TUV, etc...) so - no clue there - you might either have to sell it as a project or as a completely done car, in between might be more difficult (?), not to mention shipping a non-runner is more expensive.

So AS-IS in the US might be simpler, even if you get less $. Post pictures, so we know you're not a 1st post troll ;-)

[ETexSpeedo]

PM sent.
RoySmalley, Texas

[kenikh]

Ping Mark Erbesfeld. He's a local Atlantan, has restored a 356, '66 and 72S locally. He's merbesfeld on this board and can likely offer some good and actionable advice.

Don't sell the car to the sharks circling around this post.

[Richardnew]

After 14 years this car is going to cost some money to get running. The brake system alone could easily hit 3 figures. The good part is that the car is worth a lot of money.

Richard Newton
Car Tech Stuff

[boxster03]

translation

" a little rust" = $29k in body work

" a/c blows warm just needs a charge" = several major leaks needs new compressor condenser evaporator $5k

" sustained light hit in left rear" = unibody tweaked and needs $10k of celett straightening

[kenikh]

" sustained light hit in left rear" = unibody tweaked and needs $10k of celett straightening

Nope. $20K. Just dealt with this. Thank goodness insurance picked it up.