Testing the thesis: Which is more valuable: Restored or survivor?

[BrentF]

Here's a great article this morning over at Barn Finds: http://barnfinds.com/pristine-or-patina/

Pristine or Patina?
Jan 20, 2014 by Jesse


A few weeks ago Hemmings featured two 1956 Mercedes Gullwings that were going to be auctioned off in Scottsdale. They were both black over red, but one was completely restored and the other an original survivor. What better way to answer the question of which is better, original or restored? Well, the auctions are over and we have the verdict for you. We think you will be surprised!



Never before have we seen a better comparison to test the theory of which is better. What are the odds that two identical 300 SLs would show up at the same auction? One original and the other restored? They both looked beautiful in our eyes and we would have had a hard time deciding which one to pursue. We waited anxiously for Gooding to post the auction results so we could see which one was deemed more valuable by the bidders.


The auction house predicted that the restored car would sell for about $300k more than the barn find. Boy, were they wrong! The restored car (Lot 122) sold for $1,402,500 while the unrestored one (Lot 42) went for… $1,897,500! That is a $495,000 premium for patina! So, we think the age old question of which is better has been answered. They are only original once guys, so keep them that way if at all possible. Your bank account will thank you!

Read more at http://barnfinds.com/pristine-or-pat...I5REZAGhpiM.99

[Chuck Miller]

Brent, please see:
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...na-vs-restored

[fromage]

patina does not include torn hanging headliner, split seats with stuffing falling out, flaking paint exposing areas of rust etc... UNLESS... one is a seller and subscribing to quote about "a sucker is born every minute"

there needs to be some sort of provenance to make the "
POS" sell at a premium over a fully restored car, there must be some details missing

[LongRanger]

Clean what's dirty

Fix what's broken

Replace what's missing





Everything else is just everything else



PS . . . and don't forget to drive it




..

[37yrold911]

hot rod everything else

[911T1971]

Now drive that unrestored car. You cant. Unless you restored it.

[68912]

that's not survivor, that's neglected. What would be much more interesting is a real survivor car, like a preservation class car vs a similar restored car. Anyone can neglect a car for many years, far fewer can care for it and keep it running and looking nice for 50 years.

[Sepia911S]

Is my '73S more valuable than a restored '73S in sepia braun? There is an intrinsic value in the originality, but what is the monetary value of a well-preserved '73S? Buyers value different things.

[LongRanger]

. . . Now drive that unrestored car. You cant. Unless you restored it . . .

Can't speak for the mechanicals, buuuuut --- if this were mine? . . . I would . . .

. . . clean the upholstery, then --- duct-tape/stitch/Indian-blanket the seats to taste . . .

. . . replace the head-liner --- or maybe just remove it . . . to save weight/lower CG . . .





. . . then? . . .




. . . drive it . . .


. . . maybe --- take my dog to the bark-park?





. . . or the next Gullwing Group Meet!

http://www.gullwinggroup.org/





Woof!


..

[LongRanger]

Dudes! . . .


. . . it's a Mercedes-effing-Benz, fercryinoutloud!