Barn Find
 

I met a nice old lady today whose husband had recently passed away.
She had a Porsche under a cover in her driveway and I had to ask about it.

It was a 1978 911 SC. She was the second owner. It is all original and is a California car.
It runs and has a new wiring harness. On the downside, it needs new upholstery and has some surface rust on the hood and the driver's door.

She does not want to sell it now, but when I asked her what her price would be she
said $30k. I asked her where she got that price and she said someone offered her that about 5 years ago.

I told her not to sell it for that price.

I figured I'd ask the brain trust here what a ballpark fair price for the car would be.

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures.

Mileage is pretty low, I presume?

An unmolested, original car should do well. Spitballing, I would guess she could easily get $50k for it. So I would say at least $50k.

FWIW a clean but not perfect Australian delivered 1978 911 SC is worth about $120,000 AUD ($80,681.30 US).

That may sound ridiculous but I've been watching the local market closely for more than 20 years.
- Anything Porsche down here has always been stupid money.

When I sell mine I plan to use the proceeds as a deposit for a rental property (passive income for retirement).

40-60 depending on condition. Could be 80 if it was owned by someone semi-famous.

30k is reasonable....needs paint and interior, at which point it's 45k. too many unknowns.

I can't offer a good estimate of value, but these SC's and early Carrera's are known for rust in the inside rocker panels and in the doglegs behind the doors. This warrants careful inspection, maybe with a sharp pointed awl to poke the area. If you see rust anywhere beware. The other possible really bad spot is the area of the body structure (hidden) forward of and above the engine, which supports the whole rear end. Even with the rustproofing at the factory, eventually it can fail.
Of course you have to know when the last time it was driven. The longer it has been sitting.. Good if it's always been a California car with less rust worries. Does it have any unusual options?

I bought my '78 SC for $8K. Values these days are silly. But actually, they make sense to me. I think this could have been predicted.

FWIW I paid $22,000 AU for my 78SC in 1999. It's now worth somewhere around 120k...

BUT If I ever decide to sell I may have to wait for well over a year (or longer) before the right buyer shows up.

Something to consider - RHD cars are really Australia or RHD countries only. LHD cars have a global market.

SCs are running @ $38k ish for normal ones.. Pristine ones will of course bring a little more..

There is absolutely no way to tell from the limited description. Six years ago I asked a similar question to the "brain trust" with even more detailed information and it was suggested that I pass on an '87 Carrera convertible for $17,500. I decided to buy the car anyway. Called the guy on Tuesday and he told me he sold it the previous day for $17k.

The lowest asking price I see in Hemmings right now for an SC that has not been ruined with a botched 959 body mod is $46,500. Sure, asking prices differ from actual sale prices. But still.....median asking price is probably in the $60k neighborhood.

OK, I still don't have any pictures, but the woman last drove it a month ago and intends to continue to drive it for the next few years, or as long as she can (she's 82).

Thanks for all your input.

Good for her!