To restore or sell? 1965 Porsche 911

[august676]

I own a 1965 Porsche 911 born 3/1965. I found it along with a 1969 Porsche 911T in a barn and purchased both for $14000. Both are solid. The 65 is mostly complete minus one seat and the interior looks terrible. The body has some surface rust and some rough areas. The 65 has number matching engine with original Solex carbs and airbox. The car needs a complete restoration. The 1969 T is completely complete with original everything. The 69 also needs a complete restoration but the interior is in very good condition for its age.
I was offered $75K for the 1965 as it sits. I’m almost certain I want to do a complete restoration on the 1965. I own a Euro repair shop and I’ve been a Porsche fanatic ever since I was a kid. I can rebuild and restore everything on a 911 except I don’t do professional body work.
So should I restore or sell?

[Haasman]

Have you restored a 911 before? If not, getting rough estimates on restoration costs of areas of the car (engine, trans, interior, paint, etc) will quickly reveal the financials, supporting you in making a decision.

[Frank Beck]

I suspect the bidding on your auction has surpassed 75k by now but an early ‘65 like this when properly restored in the current market could easily sell for over $300k (350?) If it’s a great color, even more. And I think the low number ‘65’s like yours will continue heading north so it’s a relatively safe bet to dive into a restoration. Good luck.

[ejboyd5]

"Restoration" destroys originality. Choose your direction carefully.

[StephenAcworth]

+1 Frank...

[LongRanger]

. . . I own a 1965 Porsche 911 born 3/1965 . . .

. . . I was offered $75K for the 1965 as it sits . . .

. . . So should I restore or sell? . . .

Which do you like more? . . .

. . . cars? . . .

. . . or money?

Another post . . .
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...=1#post1017708




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

[John Straub]

Post some photos of the '65.

John

[tcsracing1]

you purchased both cars for low money so it is an excellent start for a restoration.

You could sell them as-is now and make your profit margin realistically.. $75-100k for the 1965 911, and $25-35k for the 1969T.

Mind you, a correct restoration can cost up to six figures on either car. So your profit can be eaten in outsourcing labor for the restoration and parts if you decide to commit to the restoration.

One thing to note in a restoration is being correct. proper spot welding, correct paint proceedures, celette bench, use of original parts. These thing can play a role in the value of the finished product.

Im restoring a 1966 sunroof coupe by the book. It is expensive and time consuming. I dont not have the stomach to do this multiple times. So as fun as the idea of starting a restoration might be, if it is a high caliber car it deserves a high caliber restoration which may be out of reach for some. In which case i suggest moving on.

You could sell the 1965 project now to fund your 1969 restoration.
Or practice restoration on the 1969 and then take your knowledge to the 1965. At that point you could then decide to sell the 1965 project if the 1969 was too much work.
The good thing is that either car is not costing you anything to sit.

I am currently restoring 2x 1969 coupes. It just takes time and money.

[rower]

Doing a correct restoration is very expensive and requires substantial expertise and knowledge so I’d probably sell and get a different car. Also, the early 911’s are more collectors cars than fun drivers cars (I’d rather drive a 356 than a 1965 911 for fun until we get to the 67S and beyond).

And this 1966 sold inexpensively and it was the best unrestored example...winning pebble preservation.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/m...che-911/702827

[august676]

Have you restored a 911 before? If not, getting rough estimates on restoration costs of areas of the car (engine, trans, interior, paint, etc) will quickly reveal the financials, supporting you in making a decision.

I’ve never restored a 911 but I’ve restored other cars. My brother is in the middle of restoring a 1954 Pre-A 356. I’ve been reading early 1911 restoration books that has the changes in early production 911s. I can restore all mechanicals. I can strip the body and send the shell somewhere for the body repair/ prime/paint.