What to do with my early 911?

[Jeff Bayuk]

Hello, I found your site about a month ago and it is great. I need some advice please. I am a Porsche guy and have had many over the years. I consider myself a backyard mechanic and I've never done a full restoration on a car.

NOW the issue. I have an early 911 #301096 which seems like a pretty early car from reading the forum. The car has a 1967 2.0 engine, not running, and it needs total restoration. What do I do with it?

Sell it: Let someone else deal with the restoration. Take the money and run. But what is it worth in the condition its in?

Restore it: It will take a lot of time and $ but I'm a pretty hands on guy and, with the help of this forum, would source where to get things done on it. Then I have an early car that I can use and enjoy.

Put it to bed: I have space to hibernate it. Put it in the corner and let it sleep. I don't think it going to go down in value over time.

I would appreciate your thoughts and comments and thanks for your time and a great forum. Jeff

[davep]

That car was on eBay last month I think, I guess you have just acquired it.
The first thing to do is to thoroughly go through the car and determine what is required to restore it. Give us the engine and transmission numbers, and we can help evaluate them. A more correct engine could be found, and someone may be looking for the 67 engine. Let us know where you are, and perhaps a local member could help with the evaluation.

[Jeff Bayuk]

I have had the car for a couple of years and Yes I did put it on Ebay last month before I found your forum. Engine # 911951 which I believe is a late 1967 engine. Trans # is 237353. I don't know if this is original or not. Paint code is 6406 which I believe is a green. Any other info needed please let me know. Jeff

[Jeff Bayuk]

DaveP I believe your the one who helped decode the info when I had it on ebay. Thanks again for your help. Jeff

[Jeff Bayuk]

The car is located close to Allentown PA. About an hour north of Philly and an hour west of NYC

[72targa]

Irish Green

http://www.elferhelfer.de/farben/far...rischgruen.htm

[sithot]

Unless your are in it cheap you've missed the boat for selling it at a high margin.
It may be a good time to do a restoration as shops are looking for work. Downturn gets everyone. Still expect to spend more than you can buy a nice one for.

Tom

[Jeff Bayuk]

Tom, What is it worth as it sits? I know its a tough question without seeing the car but a ballpark. Also Should I take out the engine and sell it seperately and sell the shell ?

[Bobs 67S]

Jeff, you have noted the key elements as to a cars value.

Age/Rarity: you have the 30th earliest 911 1965 on the growing list of known cars (the list is here and on Pelican). If this is just 10% of the remaining cars, that would translate to 300 cars world wide with a lower 1965 number than yours, but with the rust factor and 40 years of being throw away cars, 1/3 remaining would be a high guess. I have had the notion that any car below 1000 is a MUST save and have recently moved that up to serial numbers 302 500. The lower the number the better.

Condition: you haven't said or posted photos of the rust (we know your car has rust -even the most pampered cars have rust growing in the rock wool tucked under the headliner in the corners below the rear window). If the car is an easy panel repair or "start at the torsion tube and roof and replace the car in between" will effect it's value. The documented restore cost has been between 60K and 140K. If it is a unique color or optioned car, this will be a plus.

Numbers matching/Correctness: It sounds like the engine has gone missing - how about the transmission? If you have the paperwork from porsche giving the numbers you have a start - in finding the originals. If you replace with period correct mechanicals - but incorrect numbers - (yes correctness counts) it will drop the value of the selling price. If a potential buyer has a choice of numbers matching car to non-matching numbers for the "collection" what will they buy?

What is your intent: if you offer this car up for sale (depending on condition) it could be a $3000 car or if it had the correct numbers and parts possibly a $12k. So don't expect someone to pay 30K with the knowledge that another $60K will be needed and two years work to have a $50K car. Go right to the $140K number if you want to sell a concours/show car for the possible equal money. Remember if I have to come collect the car and transport it thousands of miles that will reduce the what I'm willing to pay.

You have to ask why will your car be unique? With the 50th anniversary coming in a few years now is the time to start a restore. And with the FIA requirement for Solex race/rally cars in Europe this has bolstered the market up to and including early 1966 cars.

There have been some stellar cars that have changed hands in the last year from complete low millage nut and bolt correct cars that have pulled 75K and resold in Europe (value added) within three months for 107K to very rare and special cars, with collector status for double+ money. And, there have been some very well prepared 1965-67 Race prep'ed (including the "S") cars that have failed to break $45K.

The quality of the restore will be the driving force when three (or more) cars of comparable age come to market in a few years.

Talk to two restorers in the northeast Damon at Series900 series900- at - nhvt.net and Rick Kabel at eurotech - at - together.net. They are both knowledgeble and will give you the straight line on getting a running car back on the street or if you want more they can build that too.

If you chose to do the restore yourself (like many of us do) look to Darryl's 912 story and cost sheet for guidance: http://www.darrylsgarage.com/

The best thing is you have found a great group of guys here and they are all passionate about the cars..need anything, these are the folks to ask.