How do you value a car like this one?

[Cleggtchr]

I am looking to buy a custom Porsche for my husband to use as a play car, when he doesn't have me to play with.

I understand that the 74-77 cars aren't as valuable, and this car is on the top end, but how do you value something like this?

1974 Porsche 911 coupe
Base coupe: No Power windows, door locks, no A/C, no sun-roof (about 2,200lbs dry)
All items listed as “new?are within the last 3 years/11K miles or less.
All work done by myself or GAS Motorsport (Kevin Roush)

MOTOR AND DRIVE-TRAIN
1977 911 case (all smog equipment removed, and plugged.)
Rebuilt Oct. 2001
Built 2.7 ltr. Edit: was told it's a 2.9
New SSI’s!!
Recent valve adjustment (heads torqued fine. No pulled studs)
New Carrera chain tensioners and chain ramps
New transmission syncrhros 1-5
All new shift linkage bushings (including 914 “no slop?coupler bushing)
New factory short shift kit
New transmission mounts
Swepco gear oil
New motor mounts
Turbo valve covers
New spark plug wires, cap, rotor
New spark plugs
New fuel filter
New clutch
New clutch cable
New throw-out bearing
Resurfaced flywheel
New C/V boots
New engine sound pad
New speedometer cable
Rebuilt pedal cluster (brass bushings, and new helper spring)


SUSPENSION
16?fuchs 7?front / 8?rear (freshly painted and polished)
21mm front and 26mm rear torsion bars
4 new Bridgestone RE790’s (205 55r16 and 245 45r16)
4 new solid chrome tire valves (won’t bend at high speed)
4 new Bilstein Sport shocks
Front and rear swaybars (rear added to base coupe)
New rear swaybar bushings
New Netrix rear trailing arm bushings
Later style adjustable spring-plates
New Turbo tie-rods
Lowered to Euro specs. (with bump steer kit)
Corner balanced (have all the numbers. Very impressive)
New tow-hook from trailing arms

BRAKES
New master cylinder
New soft brake lines
New speed bleeder valves
Super Blue brake fluid

INTERIOR
Freshly recovered seats (Minor abrasions on drivers seat)
New dash cover (dash recovered in vinyl, but speaker cover warped)
New Momo “Millenium?steering wheel
New Momo “Race”shift knob (full leather series)
993 sun visors with vanity mirrors
Eclipse head unit with Pioneer 6 ?and Kenwood 6X9 rears (yea, who listens to music in a 911?)
New Appbiz carpet
New R/S door panels
Later model center consoul
Dead pedal
Aluminum floorboards
New brake and clutch pedal rubber

EXTERIOR
Metal Carrera flares
Carrera duck tail
H4 headlights
New paint (midnight blue metallic from 996)
16?fuchs 7?front / 8?rear (freshly painted and polished)
New hood seal, door, and rear quarter window seals
New window “squeegee seals?
New chin spoiler
New lug nuts
New chrome Porsche crests on all wheels and hood
Passenger side mirror
Black exhaust tip

MISCELLANIOUS
Alarm with keyless entry
Newer Porsche spare tire pump
Original spare
Original jack
Original owner’s manual

California car. No rust or accidents. CALIFORNIA SMOG EXEMPT. YEAH!


Ok, that's all the good.
The bad:
Like an idiot, I never asked for any paperwork when I bought the car in Jan'02. So, I don't have proof of the rebuild, or engine size. But, everything the previous owner told me so far, has been true. I'll tell any prospective buyers the story and let them decide. Otherwise, I have all reciepts since I've owned it. I don't want to ad them up!
It could definatley use a new windsheild seal. Leaks air (very anoying at speed with windows up).

Edit: was told the motor is a 2.9. Mechanic seems to think so.
Edit: Motor and Trans mounts are both Sport mounts.
Edit: Need to mention the fact that I forgot to latch the hood once and it came up leaving chips and small dents in panel below windshield. I blocked that day out, so I forgot about it.
Edit: Also have Porsche compressor from a later model. And for those wondering, the Porsche tool bag shown below is from a Boxter.








To me, this car seems like it is worth, maybe closer to 12K, but I am new at this stuff.

Thanks

Terry

[klaucke]

With all the upgrades, and being a 74 Coupe, I'd say it's worth a bit more than 12k, but not much. A lot of those are great upgrades i.e. the sways, adjustable spring plates, etc.

I'd be wary of a 2.9 liter engine on a 7R mag case though.

[daloff]

In this market 12K for this year and that engine is a bit strong. If you are buying less than 10K is more like it. Remember this year costs just as much to maintain as later models (80s etc)

These pricing questions are always sensitive since the seller always has way more in it than the true market value.

Cheers,
David

[randywebb]

I sold a beautiful near perfect '75 with Webers in Gulf Blue for $18,000 a few years ago. It had a high end stereo and German leather seats. I listed the car's defects - both rock chips and dared the buyer to find them. It took me about 2 years to sell it tho. I had all sorts of paperwork on it, showing that over $50k had been put into it -- and that the engine had been completely rebuilt. That is critical to the value of a 2.7L car. So that would surely be the high end for the car above. You'll need a super super careful PPO.

This might be a perfect play car for the hub... does he care about color/ bumper type, etc.?

How much is the asking price?

Some things listed are good, but others are just minimal. Make a short list of the imp. things and work from that.

I assume you live where future rust will NOT be a problem?? Those cars are not completely galvanized.

[jorian]

This car is currently in the Pelican classifieds and appears to have been done correctly/tastefully. Seems like a great car that would be difficult to duplicate at the asking price. There is no substitute - for a PPI.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Agree with Randy that you should be cognizant that pre-76's are not galvanized.

Personally, I think this car is priced very reasonably given all that has been done to it and its overall condition.

You are a special wife by the way. Not too many (if ANY) wives would think to do this, do the research, not mind, etc. Your husband is a lucky man!

[Joe Bob]

It's worth it if it passes a good PPI.

[makaio]

The no smog ever deal would seal it at $12,000 for me. So long as it's not a Motor Miester rebuild on the motor.

[yelcab1]

I would buy that car for 10K. I am not crazy about a 2.7L but I can adjust for 10K.

[rlh930]

Originally posted by Cleggtchr
how do you value something like this?

Nice looking car! A couple $K one way or another on the original purchase price isn't the important thing.

Suppose your husband put, say, $5K in upgrades into the car (this would be easy, BTW). Then suppose the motor pulled a couple head studs and needed major work (another $5-10K). Would it still seem worth it at that point?

You need to decide whether you will derive enough pleasure from the car to offset the risk of having to spend $25K on it, or writing off your original $12K. For most of us the answer is an emphatic "yes", but everyone has to make their own decision.