Values of Early 'S' Cars...

[Wayne 962]

Everyone always gives Bruce Anderson such a fuss about his 911S valutions by quoting unrealistic eBay prices. I came across these the other day in AutoTrader - proof that cars in the lower price range (Pomona range) do exist. They have before, and they still do for those who are willing to look beyond eBay and other high-priced channels. Here are two examples:

1967S $17K
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/6/2/57733362.htm

1968S $5500
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/7/2/62629572.htm

and there are a bunch of 911Ls available too, if you want to include them in the 'S' category.

I've seen prices all over the map, from $6000 for good 911Ts to $25,000 for great condition 911Es. It almost seem arbitrary what people want to charge for their car.

On a side note, has California Cars in Calabassas gone out of business, or have they just moved?

-Wayne

[layzee]

That 68S is seriously good value from the looks of it. Nice looking car.

[sundaypunch]

You are right, you need to look beyond the obvious places to find a bargain on one of these. Anything that looks like a good price sells immediately if the car is solid, even in the Auto Trader (I've been a day or hours late on a number of these cars). Realistically a '69-'73S in nice shape with minor issues is going to bring $20k+. A no issue car with a strong engine, good paint, interior, etc. can be quite a bit more.

The 68 would have to be an import as they didn't sell the "S" here that year. I've called on similar cars and usually they are a non-S that someone has "updated". I see they have added the S spoiler in front so it's possibly just a car that they tried to make look like an S. The 67S looks nice in the pictures. I'd be a little concerned that an unrestored Illinois car might not be very solid up close.

[epbrown]

I've also seen the add for the '68 and quite frankly, I don't think it's an S. It has no badging, and the seller doesn't seem particularly knowledgeable. Just a first impression.

Emanuel

[Az911]

These cars look nice in pics but who knows what kind of shape they are really in. They could be a complete pos.

[jmz]

even if the 68 isn't an s the fact that it is rust free makes it a pretty good deal at that price

[Jeremy Cottrell]

Cal. Cars is gone - sold.

[Tspringer]

Wayne....

I will buy every rust free, complete (with MFI....) Good condition and correct driving '69-'73 911S you can find for under $18K and I'll pay you a $500 finders fee. It must be "good" condition. Not a show car, but not needing paint, interior or serious mechanical work.

I make this offer only because I know I can flip such cars in a matter of weeks for $22K - $25K. Lots more for really great cars.

Even at these prices, I think the early "S" cars are undervalued. They are rare, incredibly fun to drive, useable on the street and track, extremely well built and engineered and they have a fantastic racing heritage.

The "T" and "E" cars are also great and given the difference in price I think they are fantastic deals. For an enthusiast who is not a "collector" they are probably a better deal since you can upgrade engine and such and they are so easy to hotrod. But the "S" cars are the collectible ones. They will always bring a premium. Just like a '69 Z28 Camaro with all the right options may bring $50K and a 6cyl base Camaro from the same year is a $4k car.....


Terry

[ubiquity0]

I have come across several early '911S' s advertised in local classifieds & the like for tempting prices. Every time on further investigation its something like "oh its actually a 911T, but it has a 911S badge on the back"

[Randy W]

I don' t see serial numbers in the ads for either of those cars, so unless you believe photos and car sellers never lie, it's all meaningless.

There is a difference between what someone like Bruce Anderson places as an AVERAGE value for an excellent early 911S, and the money that changes hands on a regular basis for cars that actually match that description - it's about $5,000. Sure you can find bargains, if you look long and hard enough - that's why they call them bargains.

[pwd72s]

Once upon a time, in Pomona...

[Bobboloo]

All the early cars are collectable not just the S. I say this simply because collectors collect them.

The condition of the car is obviously more important than whether the car has a T, E, or S badge but with all things being equal, as to the condition of the car, then the S is more valuable followed by the E and T just as when the cars were new.

History plays a more important roll than anything. For example, what does a 911 ST go for these days, that is if you can find one? These are stock 911S cars that were modified. Basically, they are to a 911S what a 911RSR is to a 911RS.

[Cornpanzer]

Wayne. Your argument actually argues for those of us who feel that BA is undervaluing cars. The first car you use as an example is listed for $17K. In the last market report that I have BA lists an excellent 67S as topping out at $14,150. Its very doubtful that this car is actually "excellent" (that listing has been up for months)and even if it was, the asking price is $3000 more than BA's top value. On the othe hand, we have seen several truly "excellent" 67S sell in the last 3 years for $30-$40K. There is really no argument here. BA's values are really BS (especially when you consider that an engine rebuild is at minimum 60-70% of what BA feels the car is worth)

[Cornpanzer]

Oh, and Ive said it before.....an "excellent" 1967 VW bug will cost you nearly what the Market Report claims that a 67 T is worth !

[nostatic]

dollars to donuts the 68 is a rust bucket.

There are bargains out there, but they are few and far between. There is no way anyone can asses the "value" of any early car based on pictures. How many rust stories have we seen on the board? Suddenly the $5K early car "bargain" requires $10K just to get it solid...and that isn't even considering mechanicals.

But Wayne, if you find a truly rust-free early car for $5K or so that runs, let me know.

[exc911ence]

It does look interesting, I've never seen an early car with a license plate filler panel like this car has. Check it out:



I like where the seller says it's got "custom wheels"... they look like Porsche Fuchs to me!

[swbsam]

funny how a 68S doesn't have S deco trim as well as many other parts that arn't correct for 68, but hey if there's a rust free body under all that shinny black paint than what a deal, but then there's always that guy in south africa that wants to give you his millions.

[NYSCAR]

The good cars are really hard to find actually. You'll see nice looking cars, but they're not matching #'s, they're rusty, missing crucial and expensive parts, etc. Believe me, I saw all of the above when I was looking for my 73S back in 2000. I saw a nice looking 67S, but noticed the lines of the car were gappy in some places, and very narrow in others. Turns out the pans were so rusted, the whole car lost it's rigidity and was crabbed to one side. Needless to say I didn't want to test drive that one fear of losing my life. Prices/demand has gone up for these cars since 2000, and when I sold my 73S, price was north of $20k.

Brad

[ttweed]

Originally posted by swbsam
funny how a 68S doesn't have S deco trim as well as many other parts that arn't correct for 68

And if the '67S is in "unrestored and original condition" as stated in the ad, why is it sporting a '72-73 front spoiler?
The shot of the engine compartment smacks of a cheap repaint, also (no stickers, latch and bump stops, even the oil filler cap inted over, etc.)


TT

[Brillo]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
On a side note, has California Cars in Calabassas gone out of business, or have they just moved?

http://www.californiacars.com/

Website says they are now in Thousand Oaks.