Hello all, I am the 4th owner of a numbers-matching Light Ivory on Black 1970 911S (purchased in 2002). The previous 3 owners are documented with names and addresses, selling price and date of purchase. Here is the ownership history without the names:
- 1970 - 1997
- 1997 - 2000
- 2000 - 2002
- 2002 - present, me
Provenance is a 3 ring binder documenting the complete history of the car from the original 1970 Porsche Sales Brochure, the original window sticker, bill of sale, receipts for all work and parts through 1998, and other documentation. I've continued the tradition from 2002 - present. The binder alone is a fascinating walk through the life of this car! For example, the original owner considered adding after-market air conditioning at one point and then had better sense! He also weighed options between a complete engine rebuild in 1990 versus purchasing a new replacement motor (again coming to his senses to have the motor rebuilt) and consulted (several letters via mail) with Bruce Anderson for recomendations, and it goes on.
The car itself is correct and I've focused on preservation rather than restoration. My question is, does this level of documentation affect desirability and/or value and if so, by how much? Mechanically the car is very good - strong motor and MFI, numbers matching. The interior is also well preserved and shows well; minimal wear given its age indicates a history of conscientious stewardship. The exterior is clean overall and correct but not without a few minor blemishes. The largest defect is a rust area at the bottom edge of the driver's side door (I discovered that the drain holes had plugged years ago and no one ever cleared them).
Overall she is an original and correct 1970 911S. My question is, does the provenance contribute to her desirability and value and, if so, by how much (approximately)? I've only heard of a few 45 year old cars of any marque with its history documented in such detail. I'm actually thinking about scanning everything (almost 1/2 way done) and writing a fictional book around the story they tell about the life of this car on the track in its early days, the work its had done and its hopes for the future - all documented with the receipts, work orders, explorations and other items in the book!
cheers,
Michael