IMHO...soft window=desireable. 911L? A con job foisted on wannabe "S" owners back in '68. All the "L" means is S cosmetics, with the same standard (and not so good because of USA regulations, Corvair air pump and all.) engine of that year. Of course it's rare. All 911L's are rare. For good reason. The enthusiasts of the time didn't buy them. They were out hunting for '67 911S cars. Sort of like I hunted for a 1972-1973 car after my first view of the then new '74 models.

According to BA in the May 2002 issue, the 68L Targa has a value of $8,480 to $12,908. No differentiation for soft/hard window. On the other hand, the 68S is listed at only $9,479 to $14,448, so do these numbers really mean anything in the real world?? -- Curt

Have Bruce's numbers ever meant anything to people other than insurance adjustors????

I actually agree with Rick and Paul that an S is worth more than an L. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all stating that they are actually worth the same. What I should have said was that to me , as in "my worthless opinion" (which you'll notice I started this whole thing out with) is how they should be valued, simply based on it being a rare and quirky car.
Hey, I really love Soft Window Targa's!

Just giving an opinion here, and I still think that the very early pre-'69 cars should be valued very differently than the later ones.

I mean, what's worth more? A 356 Super 90 Coupe, or a 356 Normal Speedster? I'm just theorizing that the very early soft windows are going to be valued based more on these features than their powerplants down the line. Basically because they aren't really bought for their performance.

But, the reality is, that you never know what the trends will be. My favorite, would be the '67S soft window, or one of the first 500 or so '65 911's in very original shape. Something that's like taking a step back in time, when the 911 was more 356-like.

Sounds like we are all basically on the same page.
As far as the published values in Excellance, (lets not fire this up again!), Bruce told me he only reports what is sent to him. Shame on those that don't report. Most of the buyers that I sell early 911's to are not reporting.But for anyone to say that values of early 911 S cars is not heading upward is living deep in the woods.
As I stated before, I don't see these SW Targa's as beautiful,but they are close to being a actual convertable. If a Chevy Impala,Buick, BMW, or Porsche, the ragtop brings a longer dollar every time, condition being equal.

Hey Wayne!

Sounds like a nice car. I think the guys have you pointed in the right direction with price $8 to $10k would be my guess.

I'm currently restoring a 68' 911L coupe. Why does anybody restore a car? To recoup their loss at a later date? Yeah, sure. I'll surely never get back the money I put into the car but that isn't the reason I'm doing it. The L was a fairly rare car, it was hated, it was put down at the time for both the smog pump motor (a one year wonder) as well as the door panel design. Try getting door panels for a 68'. It won't happen. Most people backdate to 67' panels which is a crime IMHO but then again I'm a concours guy.

The posted information stating that the 911L was totally different than the S and "just" a luxury basic 911 is a little innacurate. This is easily varified buy decoding the VIN# on the car. 911L bodies are 911S bodies with 911S VIN#s. They are listed in Porsche's records as 911S models, not 911Ls. This is actually a little known fact. The plain or standard (what we like to call the "butt" model) 68' 911 model chassis numbers were listed in the records as 911L US coupe or targa. Very weird. I actually talked with both Bruce Anderson and PCA tech chairman Ed Mayo about this fact and both were miffed! The car was a 911S without the motor, plain and simple. The cars came with "S trim", velour carpet, "elephant hide" embossed vinyl and could be ordered with any of the "S" options. The only difference was the motor and the name.

911Ls are rare. Their weird. But they are basically a snapshot of the problems Porsche was facing at that point in time. I don't consider 68' 911S cars to be worth more or less than 911Ls as these cars were not imported to the US and are therefore "grey market". This is one area where I agree with BA and therfore always discount grey market cars 15 to 20%. This is more an issue with someone who is going to restore and show the car in concours which is typically the reason why people buy these cars in the 1st place. If your buying a grey market car to race it then that's different and the discount actually works in your favor.

Is the L worth the same as an S? If it's a 68' S I'd say yes but any other year S would command a higher price. S cars always carry a higher price tag just based on the motor alone.

Now there is another worthless opinion :)

Kenr-

Wayne,

Have you and the current owner discussed pricing? If so can you give us a ballpark range?


If you feel uncomfortable divulging this info I'd understand.

Kenrinc's comments offer add'l info, but I respectfully disagree that a 1968 911S is worth less because of its "grey market" status.
The grey market value is a myth to me? Just because it is not sold in the USA, it becomes "grey" market which I assume is negative? Having lived in Germany for a few years, visited most European countries and seen a few of the early 911's while there, I would argue that Europeans - and specifically Germans - take much better care of their cars than most Americans. In Germany for instance, cars with any significant rust are not allowed by the state to e driven, and they are required to pass inspections by the TUV which are very stringent. That's why you don't see junk driving around in Germany like you do here in the USA. Most Germans are not the wheeling dealing hucksters that you often find in our country buying/selling antique sports cars trying to use a fresh coat of paint to hide a total disaster. Grey market is a cooked up label used by US used car dealers.
As for value, if anyone on this board wants to trade me their 1968 911S for a 1968 911L, let me know ASAP and I will go find a good 911L to trade.
By the way Wayne, I have a 67 911 and I truly hope you end up buying the 911L just so you can be inspired to write more about repair and performance upgrades specifically for the early SWB's...

I agree with kenrinc, the prices of a '68L should not be less than any other model that year. The L had 130 HP the most available that year.

There is something to be siad for having a quirky/rare car though, when I go to shows or events it nice to stand out. A 68L softwindow with a sporto now that would draw a lot of attention.

Blu 911........We seem to be on the same page. I brought in 600+ "gray market cars between 1982-1985. I have a feel for their value. In the old collector cars it makes no differance.
Keep in mind folks......ALL 2.7 73 CARRERA RS CARS ARE GRAY MARKET!!!!!
Tell those boys, (including myself), that gray market cars need to be downgraded. Any car 25 years old or older, it makes no differance.
The differance is if the car was brought in a long time ago before the 25 year rule and was butchered during the DOT conversion,
then it would have to be done back properly to be up to value.
I guess we have gotten way off the original topic......Sorry guys.

I always thought of grey market cars of the early 930's that were hacked up to be made smog legal...although some were done correctly I think the rabid Porsche market of the 80's and people trying to make a quick buck produced some pretty F'ed up cars

RICK: I am doing a backdate on a 73.5 chassis. I have acquired most of the soft widow pieces and are refurbishing them now...I hope I can call on you for some info about installing a soft rear window...I think I have it pretty much figured out...but knowing and executing are 2 entirely different things...

MJ

Ooo, good point. I second that. Buy it, no matter what he's asking! ;)

All points well taken guys and thanks for the dialog. That is just my opinion on "grey market" cars. I understand that some find that crazy but hey, I do realize that there are a ton of other people lined up behind that 68' S ready to plop down their cash and that's fine with me. Now of course on the flip side, I have no problem restoring a "grey market" car cause I know a lot of people in that line ready to buy ;)

Sorry for getting so OT.

Kenr-

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/1968911l2.jpg


this stock is going to moon....buy it now while it is still reasonable.... (no reasonable offer of $12K refused, or i'll take any cabriolet in trade)


joe 68 L

Joe,
You have a hardtop 68 targa. That is the rare option, since all pre-69 targas came standard as softops. However, since I already have a 67 sunroof coupe and with a 911S engine, I am covered on the SWB front. Car looks nice though. Why would you sell for a cab? I believe the first cab's came in 83 with the last year of the SC. Are you thinking of going to an SC or newer?

it's not a hardtop...it has been recovered in a very fine material and i take REALLY good care of it. as far as switching, i just really like convertables. don't get me wrong, i really love my car and get LOTS of comments and compliments. my dream rig would be a C2 cab. there was an 83 sc cab for sale here for 13K last summer and i didnt jump at it. wish i had.

joe

Joe,
My error. I was referring to the targa glass itself, not the targa top. I assume that you are referring to the targa top, right? By the way, did the 68L come with MFI or Webers?

Webers

Think he means the rear window is soft and was redone. very nice

911 L (not a Targa, I don't think) on Recycler this morning for $3000. http://recycler.com/asp/AdResults.asp?optWtd=0&optSrc=5&curNP=&curXP=5000& iNYr=&iXYr=1977&sKW=por+911&bAnd=1&iSC=5000&sAC=%2 7All%27&dtDF=7%2F10%2F2003&bIP=0&cmdBtn=Find+It%21