A funny thing happened.....

[MMARSH]

Up Until a couple of weeks ago. I was going to sell my 72 911. It sat in the garage and wasn't being used. With the price that these cars are getting, I thought maybe I should just sell it, free up some garage space and make a little money. I built this car to race with the POC and the Alfa club.

I bought this car for 6500 bucks in 2000. Since I've owned it, Its had 4 different motors, been repainted twice and was a great track/race car. It was not a great street car. Well, I hadnt driven a properly set up street 911 in years. My car still had the Hoosiers on it from the last time I raced it about 8 years ago. It had solid engine and transmission mounts, a very aggressive track only suspension setup and was very stiff. It was really loud inside and kind of a pain to climb over the door bars into the race seat. I hadnt done ANYTHING to the car for several years. I started it up sometimes when I was tinkering in the garage and i have driven it around the block a few times.

Well, I began getting it ready to sell by taking it back to a more streetable car. First, I registered the car. hadn't been registered since 2009, hello back fees....oh well. Then bought some street tires and replaced the solid mounts. I got rid of the door bars and replaced the race seats with some Corbeau Classics, just for that vintage look.

Then a funny thing happened.....I asked my new bride if she wanted to ride in the Porsche to the next town for some Ice cream. Sure. We took the back roads to town and it was a beautiful drive. The sound of the sport exhaust sounded fantastic bouncing off the canyon walls. it shifted great, motor felt great, the car felt great. I had completely forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive. As I'm thinking about this realization, my wife says, I really don't think you should sell this car, its a blast. I said your right, I'm not selling anything.......

PS. I should also add, I think I'll keep the wife too

[Bill Douglas]

Great story.

And, I'm pleased you are keeping the car.

Ummm. A couple of weeks ago GF and I had a moment of truth I suggested we take the 911 out for a drive and have lunch in a waterfront cafe somewhere. Sounds great to me. She uttered the words "I, I don't like the 911."

She turns 50 in two days. I told her I was thinking of trading her in for two 25 year olds

[porsche4life]

Don't know how you could ever get rid of that awesome car!

And yes, keep the bride too.

[LakeCleElum]

Way too nice to sell......Unless you need a sizable down payment for your next house........It will only go up in value. Enjoy....

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

It will only go up in value.

Unless you try to sell it to one of us cheap b@$tards. Then you'll get more lowballers than CL.

[sc_rufctr]

You're right to keep it. Enjoy and have fun.

But with the rising values of the air cooled cars when should you sell? (if ever)
I've been thinking about this for some time and it seems there is no clear answer.

Is the recent value curve a Bubble?
I really don't think it is because a "nice" 73 RS is regularly exceeding $1,000,000 but how long can this go on?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

She turns 50 in two days. I told her I was thinking of trading her in for two 25 year olds

You're only as old as the woman you feel.

MMarsh, has the sound deadener been removed from the car?

Maybe a modern deadening product and a quieter exhaust and you could do a few road trips with it.

Beautiful car!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good story - keep it!

[Dueller]

I really don't think it is because a "nice" 73 RS is regularly exceeding $1,000,000 but how long can this go on?

Prices will likely come down as soon as porsche starts building more longhoods.

[GH85Carrera]

Great story.

From what I hear the prices are strong and the demand back in Europe for them is strong. I know a few local friends that have sold their air cooled 911s and both of them went to Europe.

[911SauCy]

I'm just at a loss for how such a gorgeous car could be allowed to sit unregistered/used for so long.

Of course you love it! Great move...with the wife

[Jim Richards]

That's a really great realization, Michael. You have a great bride and early 911 hotrod.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Ummm. A couple of weeks ago GF and I had a moment of truth I suggested we take the 911 out for a drive and have lunch in a waterfront cafe somewhere. Sounds great to me. She uttered the words "I, I don't like the 911."

She turns 50 in two days. I told her I was thinking of trading her in for two 25 year olds

Hahahaha!

[FLYGEEZER]

Great story Mike. Keeping both, the 911 & the wife, is a great move.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice story. Also a good lesson in there - don't mod a car until you ruin it. In your case I know it had a purpose, but lots of people do all of the things you mentioned, then complain about how their 911 is too loud, too rough, too low, too hot, etc. Frequently they get it pretty right from the factory.

[craigster59]

Beautiful car Mike! I'll keep my eyes peeled for you and the Missus' carving the roads between SCV and P-dale!

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nice story. Also a good lesson in there - don't mod a car until you ruin it. In your case I know it had a purpose, but lots of people do all of the things you mentioned, then complain about how their 911 is too loud, too rough, too low, too hot, etc. Frequently they get it pretty right from the factory.

Yeah, your right. I loved it on the track, but the few times I drove it on the street, it was all of the above. Which is why it sat for so long. I really had forgotten how much fun these cars are on the street, when set up that way. I still have a few more things to do to it, (but it will still be on the sportier side) then we are going to drive it up to Monterey along the coast for a nice weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. She really wants to do the Targa California next month with it, but we'll see.

I dont plan to track the car anymore, That's kinda been replaced by motorcycles. Which is why I stopped driving/racing it in the first place, But I think now it will be great for just enjoying as a weekend driver go get ice cream in Monterey type car. I'm super excited.

I know it sounds corny, but its like reconnecting with an old friend.

[livi]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Sounds like the definition of a 'Win-Win' situation Michael - All the Best

Cheers
JB

[vash]

love the story.

i was kicking around the same scenario..selling my 911. my wife said, "you cant sell Gilbert"..

me: "who's Gilbert?"

she said, "i call your car Gilbert"

apparently, she was listening to me when i was telling her my most dependable friend is a guy named gilbert. so apparently, Gilbert is not for sale. she drives it more than i do anyways. i'm cool with it. haha.