1966 SWB Coupe

[Bill Simmeth]

Interesting auction ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/270844341551 ). Clean looking car, but unless you're paying attention, it's a 66 912 with a 1965 six cylinder. Per seller, the engine number is: 902859 Also, original color was ivory (6604). So, not quite "original" as the title of the auction states. Still, a nice looking car. But at $19K already, do you think people really know what they're bidding on?

[dporsche74]

asking price is 48K , for the 912

[Bill Simmeth]

asking price is 48K

Shazaam!!!

[78mochasc]

In the guys add it clearly states original 911 and nothing about a 912 with a 911 motor ....the car is at 20k already.I emailed the guy and he told me 43k buys the car.I am thinking he doesnt even know its a 912

[yale]

Funny there are no pictures of the back trunk, that could say 912.

[78mochasc]

in the dash pic you can almost see the 912 script has been taken off

[John912]

The seller just sent me a photo of the engine # 902859, a 66 901/01. Ironic that the first three digits are "902" given the 912 VIN!

[Bill Simmeth]

As I posted above, 902859 is a 65 motor. Looks like it still breathes through Solexes, too.

[juche_namja]

I asked him about color code and and VIN. He can back promptly with the 6604, but flat out ignored the question regarding the VIN. Someone might be bummed out when they think they just bought a black SWB 911.

[almostblue]

The "Vehicle Purchase Protection" might provide a tiny bit of protection.
"This vehicle is eligible for up to $50,000 in Vehicle Purchase Protection. "
One must read the fine print VERY carefully. The absolute most the buyer will get back as part of this guarantee is $6,000 US.
I have spoken at length with "Auction Insurance" the company that provides this for Ebay. As many have stated, Ebay appears to not be terribly concerned about fraud. Others have stated it is the best place to sell a problem car, and the best place to find out the maximum you would ever pay for a car. (over-anxious bidders, shills, duped bidders, emotional bidders, etc.)
In this case, they would take the NADA average retail of 21,600 for a 911 of that year and subtract the 15,700 for a 912 and rebate $6,000 IF they decided to do that, and it is completely up to the examiner. They do not guarantee originality so it is perfectly acceptable to sell a 912 with a 911S deck lid, and call it a 911S. (but there is a possibility of a small rebate IF there is protection) Potentially fraudulent statements are also not prohibited, including "rust free" - "runs great" "original owner". Also, automobile auctions are non-binding (just as home auctions are non-binding) in the US. Shill bidders may exist and difficult to detect, but hobbyist or no-intent bidders often inflate the final price. You will see items relisted for this reason.