W: 1973 911t

I am looking to buy an unmolested, honest 1973 Porsche 911T Coupe. A perfect car for me would be:

Drivable, roadworthy condition (no barn find or basket case)
Little/no rust
Unmolested (no steel flares, slant nose conversion, V8 transplant, etc). That said, any reversible mods or incorrect parts are totally fine – and to be expected for a 40+ year old car.
No Concourse material. Would I like to show off my car at next years’ concours d’elegance? Sure, but I won’t raid my kids’ college funds for this.

Why 1973? That’s the year I was born, and this is how I ‘sold’ the idea to my wife to adopt a longhood Porsche… I’d consider both CIS and MFI.

A little bit about myself: I used to own a wonderful 1973.5T Targa in original condition. Not a show queen by any means, but a very presentable driver in stunning gemini blue metallic (look for my older posts with pictures of the car). Owned it for a few years and then got so busy with work and two little girls at home that I decided to sell it. Oh boy am I regretting this now.

So, here I am, attempting to make up for my mistake and getting back behind the wheel of a Longhood. Curious to see where the market is these days.

I had first dibs on this gemini T Coupe a few weeks ago. Seller was super nice, he responded to my WTB ad over on the Bird.

Attachment 496816

I wasn't quite ready to make an offer on the fly as it hat a couple rust issues (front fenders, door), so wasn't sure what was lurking underneath. It sold within 48 hours. Should've pulled the trigger - hindsight is 20-20, I know...

May I ask about the actual pricing levels of the offers you received?

here in germany, they go still nuts with even #4 condition cars. 60K for cars with needed invest of sure 40K to make it presentable and a min of 10K to get them a safe drive.....?????

br
haul

How about this one 73.5 CIS??[ATTACH=CONFIG]497730[/ATTACH

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob lee

How about this one 73.5 CIS??[ATTACH=CONFIG]497730[/ATTACH

---

Thanks Bob, PM sent.

OK, almost reaching 2k views at the time of writing this post, here's another story for your enjoyment:

Seller reached out to me a couple months ago, says he knows of a 73.5T Coupe, numbers matching, gemini blue. Says he sold the car years ago without the engine and trans. Car is available again and he still has the motor and trans although they need to be gone through. He's been told the car is still complete except for the seats. Car is in the Northwest and engine/trans are in North Carolina.

We exchange a bunch of emails. Seller, owner of an independent Porsche shop in NC, is straightforward and provides a lot of details about the car and the engine + trans and its condition, and shares a ballpark figure for what the current seller asks for the roller (high but not outrageous). We exchange a bunch more emails, and again... eventually he simply stops responding. Crickets.

Bottom line, another case of scratching my head. Why would anyone engage in a long email convo, share a ton of details and then go MIA? :confused::confused::confused:

Here's a pic for you to enjoy (hope seller doesn't mind me sharing):
Attachment 499357

Why not place a call to him...if he has an independent shop he likely has a phone. He may not be seeing your emails for some reason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mac73s

Why not place a call to him...if he has an independent shop he likely has a phone. He may not be seeing your emails for some reason.

---

Ha, interesting thought to use a phone for placing a call. So retro! :rolleyes:
</sarcasm>
Sure enough I tried calling, left VM but didn't get any response. Complete radio silence. Moving on...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

We exchange a bunch more emails, and again... eventually he simply stops responding. Crickets.

Bottom line, another case of scratching my head. Why would anyone engage in a long email convo, share a ton of details and then go MIA?

---

Just a guess, but I suspect that the sellers get tired of the incessant email questions. Most shop-owning sellers have better things to do the spend time on a long, drawn-out email question spree. At least 98% of the time those types of buyers don't follow through anyway. Sellers then bail on that one, and look for a buyer that isn't so time-intensive.

If you find a possible car that interests you, may I suggest that once you get the basics nailed down, don't try to do it all via email or phone unless you are willing to move quickly and take a chance on it. If you need to know all the details in advance, arrange to go see the car in person, or send an agent to see it for you. Seller will at least know you are serious...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arne

Just a guess, but I suspect that the sellers get tired of the incessant email questions. Most shop-owning sellers have better things to do the spend time on a long, drawn-out email question spree. At least 98% of the time those types of buyers don't follow through anyway. Sellers then bail on that one, and look for a buyer that isn't so time-intensive.

If you find a possible car that interests you, may I suggest that once you get the basics nailed down, don't try to do it all via email or phone unless you are willing to move quickly and take a chonace on it. If you need to know all the details in advance, arrange to go see the car in person, or send an agent to see it for you. Seller will at least know you are serious...

---

Solid advice, Arne, you're probably right... BTW: Love the story of your 72T Coupe. Living the dream!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Solid advice, Arne, you're probably right... BTW: Love the story of your 72T Coupe. Living the dream!

---

All that said, don't get me wrong. You can do it all via phone and email, that's how I bought my '72. But you must be willing to stretch your risk-tolerance a bit if the seller doesn't have a lot of time on his hands, or doesn't volunteer all the info you want at the start. It's the endless questions and picture requests that get old in a hurry.

If still in the market I have this 73 mfi in light yellow.
Attachment 500825

This one:

Attachment 501091

Greetings, Harold

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hbrand

This one:

Attachment 501091

Greetings, Harold

---

Harold, thanks! PM sent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arne

. . . You can do it all via phone and email . . . But you must be willing to stretch your risk-tolerance a bit . . .

---

'At's what I did. Bought my car cross-country, based on phone calls, e-mails + PPI. None of us --- Buyer, Seller, and Mechanic . . . ever knew each other except by phone call introductions . . .

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...l=1#post415199




..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LongRanger

'At's what I did. Bought my car cross-country, based on phone calls, e-mails + PPI. None of us --- Buyer, Seller, and Mechanic . . . ever knew each other except by phone call introductions . . .

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...l=1#post415199

..

---

That's exactly how I bought my former 73.5T. Even bought it in Canada and re-imported it to the US. So I'm definitely open to such a kind of transaction, and it's not like I'm peppering a seller with 100s of emails and phone calls.

We will have this one for sale the first week of October for $55k. 73.5 911 All original with $30k in engine and trans receipts less than 1k miles ago. I'll be posting it for sale once its here.
Attachment 501724

Bumpy bump. I’ve been on a longhood hiatus for a couple months, trying to get over my addiction, but here I am again... anyone know of a solid driver longhood coupe?

PM sent with conda green 1973.5 George

Hello I have pictures and will send if you send your email address George

There is a great silver 73 mfi car at autokennel in costs Mesa.

Sale pending, but sure looks spectacular: https://autokennel.com/1973-porsche-...fi-2-4l-coupe/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Toddlaunchbaugh

There is a great silver 73 mfi car at autokennel in costs Mesa.

---

Happy Easter bump.
Wow, close to 5,500 views, still on the hunt for the right one...

Greetings y’all. Bumping my old thread back to the top. Here we are, one year into WFH. If that wasn’t enough, we went through a complete remodel of our Eichler home while still living in it and two kids distance learning from home (pro tip: not recommended, LOL). Garage is empty again, so that space wants to be filled - with a 73T Coupe.

Appreciate any leads!

Attachment 547510

Good omen? :eek:

You might want to widen your search to 72. Same engine as 73, with rear oil door. While you were born, in 73, conceived in 72 ��
Also you want a coupe, but had a targa in the past, so here is a no stories 72 coupe in Albert blue being sold here on this board, in a condition similar to your search criteria

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by karlusmagnus

You might want to widen your search to 72. Same engine as 73, with rear oil door. While you were born, in 73, conceived in 72 ��
Also you want a coupe, but had a targa in the past, so here is a no stories 72 coupe in Albert blue being sold here on this board, in a condition similar to your search criteria

---

Thanks Karl! Wouldn't rule out a 72 if it checks all boxes. Not considering a Targa though. Nothing against them per se, but I'd rather have a Coupe.

Not quite the real deal, but close :) Fun build for me and the kids.

Attachment 549115

Other than that, still looking for a driver-level 72 or 73 T Coupe.

June bump...

Happy 4th of July, y’all. Still on the hunt!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Happy 4th of July, y’all. Still on the hunt!

---

More headroom in a Targa, and your old friend is back home again..


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifi...php?id=2463063

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Happy 4th of July, y’all. Still on the hunt!

---

No offense intended, but you've been looking for 2 years now, including a break or two. It might be time to loosen your search parameters. Maybe a car that's not as nice as you prefer, or other years, or increase your budget. Or a combination of those things. Because the longer you spend looking for the "ideal" car, the less likely it is that you will buy one. Prices have increased noticeably over the last 2 years. Don't let a pursuit of "great" stop you from buying "good".

I wanted a Porsche since before I got my driver's license. I didn't finally buy my first until just before my 55th birthday. Don't be me.

Arne is right. There are plenty of great driver level cars that have come up for sale with your specifications over the past 2 years. If you didn't jump on one of those, it's probably because of price, and the prices are going back up. Be realistic. I scored a bargain (or so I thought) when I bought my 1973 S in 2012, at the age of 48. It was 8 more years before I could drive it. And while I did save a lot of money in the manner I restored it as a shared responsibility with the craftsman who did a lot of the work, no amount of money can buy back lost time. Don't be me either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NorthernThrux

Arne is right. There are plenty of great driver level cars that have come up for sale with your specifications over the past 2 years. If you didn't jump on one of those, it's probably because of price, and the prices are going back up. Be realistic. I scored a bargain (or so I thought) when I bought my 1973 S in 2012, at the age of 48. It was 8 more years before I could drive it. And while I did save a lot of money in the manner I restored it as a shared responsibility with the craftsman who did a lot of the work, no amount of money can buy back lost time. Don't be me either.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arne

No offense intended, but you've been looking for 2 years now, including a break or two. It might be time to loosen your search parameters. Maybe a car that's not as nice as you prefer, or other years, or increase your budget. Or a combination of those things. Because the longer you spend looking for the "ideal" car, the less likely it is that you will buy one. Prices have increased noticeably over the last 2 years. Don't let a pursuit of "great" stop you from buying "good".

I wanted a Porsche since before I got my driver's license. I didn't finally buy my first until just before my 55th birthday. Don't be me.

---

Ugh, can’t argue with either one of you… Realistically, the ship might have sailed for me. I can’t justify spending the kind of money decent driver-level longhoods go for these days. I’ll continue to look casually but won’t keep my hopes up too high.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Ugh, can’t argue with either one of you… Realistically, the ship might have sailed for me. I can’t justify spending the kind of money decent driver-level longhoods go for these days. I’ll continue to look casually but won’t keep my hopes up too high.

---

You're being too hard on yourself. I can't find the link, but recently a prominent longtime owner was remembered giving his best advice to another guy. That advice was to be ready to "Up...your Porsche hobby", or close to that. The interpretation being that the idea of frugal with respect to repairs, restoration, or the cars themselves, is the exact wrong path. He has a point when you look at the better cars, how they've stayed that way.. it was by paying generously for things to be done right. It almost seems like the cars were set up at the beginning to require financial thresholds, in order to enjoy them properly. I tend to agree that six figures for a car seems foreign, but once you UP and get past that, things will improve.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Ugh, can’t argue with either one of you… Realistically, the ship might have sailed for me. I can’t justify spending the kind of money decent driver-level longhoods go for these days. I’ll continue to look casually but won’t keep my hopes up too high.

---

Hey bud, sorry to hear - don’t give up, there are still deals to be had. However, as others have mentioned, you most likely won’t have someone come strolling in here dropping said deal in your lap. Reach out to people, go to events and inquire. I’m sure you will find your car. Also check PCA’s classified section and thesamba. Even the classified section here had a good 1972 albert blue targa listed not too long ago (March 2021). I was in a similar situation as you looking for a 72/73 targa and ended up finding one eventually after persistently checking all the usual sites for months every day. I had to accept a few things not to my liking but that’s the world we live in right now with where the long hood market is today.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 62S-R-S

You're being too hard on yourself. I can't find the link, but recently a prominent longtime owner was remembered giving his best advice to another guy. That advice was to be ready to "Up...your Porsche hobby", or close to that. The interpretation being that the idea of frugal with respect to repairs, restoration, or the cars themselves, is the exact wrong path. He has a point when you look at the better cars, how they've stayed that way.. it was by paying generously for things to be done right. It almost seems like the cars were set up at the beginning to require financial thresholds, in order to enjoy them properly. I tend to agree that six figures for a car seems foreign, but once you UP and get past that, things will improve.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by camarilla

Hey bud, sorry to hear - don’t give up, there are still deals to be had. However, as others have mentioned, you most likely won’t have someone come strolling in here dropping said deal in your lap. Reach out to people, go to events and inquire. I’m sure you will find your car. Also check PCA’s classified section and thesamba. Even the classified section here had a good 1972 albert blue targa listed not too long ago (March 2021). I was in a similar situation as you looking for a 72/73 targa and ended up finding one eventually after persistently checking all the usual sites for months every day. I had to accept a few things not to my liking but that’s the world we live in right now with where the long hood market is today.

---

Hey guys, really appreciate your comments, I sure hope you're right. I'll keep looking, and now that we're starting to see in-person events again, will certainly do those as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Hey guys, really appreciate your comments, I sure hope you're right. I'll keep looking, and now that we're starting to see in-person events again, will certainly do those as well.

---

Have a client/friend just considering the sale of his original paint Leaf Green 73.5 coupe. Its a stellar original car - with all of the little bumps and bruises along the way that make it look and feel authentic. Haven't heard the price yet but can get you in contact with him if interested.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cscrogham

Have a client/friend just considering the sale of his original paint Leaf Green 73.5 coupe. Its a stellar original car - with all of the little bumps and bruises along the way that make it look and feel authentic. Haven't heard the price yet but can get you in contact with him if interested.

---

leaf green is superb!

I just listed my Tangerine 73 911 on The Mart. May or may not be what you're looking for.
https://mart.pca.org/ads/52048

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bobby Smith

I just listed my Tangerine 73 911 on The Mart. May or may not be what you're looking for.
https://mart.pca.org/ads/52048

---

...droolworthy! But out of my pay grade, unfortunately.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-911t-70/
Could be interesting if red is your cup of tea

Epic collection of longhoods today at EASY. :cool:

OK, picture for attention only. Bumping this thread, still looking for the right one.

Attachment 558261

Watching BAT auctions over recent months, my confidence level finding a driver level Longhood is nearing zero. Prove me wrong! :p

Attachment 561303


https://beverlyhillscarclub.com/1969...ga-c-13213.htm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

. . . out of my pay grade, unfortunately . . .

---

? . . .

. . . meanwhile . . .

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...=1#post1108611



.....................................

TL;DR: I'm still looking.

I strongly considered (but ultimately passed on) this one:

Attachment 568420

Car had a few pluses and minuses, by the time I wanted to move forward with a PPI it was already sold, dang!

Are you married? :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Are you married? :D

---

LOL - touché :p. To her defense, that wasn't the reason...

What's your budget these days? A lot has changed in the long hood world in the 2½ years since this thread started.

This one looks like it sold for a very reasonable price. Almost unheard of these days on BAT auctions. And it was sold by a well known and respected member here.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-porsche-911t-54/

Very good deal these days. Solid seller, engine recently done, nice (aftermarket) sport seats .... Keep/Remove/Change vinyl stripe to your taste .... restore "red fan of death" by removing paint ... et Voila !!
I know you want a 73, so maybe this being a 71 precluded it, but it shows there are some decent buys out there ...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stevesc_us

This one looks like it sold for a very reasonable price. Almost unheard of these days on BAT auctions. And it was sold by a well known and respected member here.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-porsche-911t-54/

---

^ that was definitely one of the better deals i have seen in a while

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by karlusmagnus

Very good deal these days. Solid seller, engine recently done, nice (aftermarket) sport seats .... Keep/Remove/Change vinyl stripe to your taste .... restore "red fan of death" by removing paint ... et Voila !!
I know you want a 73, so maybe this being a 71 precluded it, but it shows there are some decent buys out there ...

---

Couldn't agree more, I was surprised that it didn't sell for more, especially on BaT.

Same with this one that sold on BaT last November: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-911t-78/ . I was following that one closely, but was stuck in meetings as the auction ended. What a great buy!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kp.sfo

Couldn't agree more, I was surprised that it didn't sell for more, especially on BaT.

Same with this one that sold on BaT last November: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-911t-78/ . I was following that one closely, but was stuck in meetings as the auction ended. What a great buy!

---

I'm still kicking myself over this one!!

PM sent...

PM sent...