1971 911T Targa prices???

[tbromley]

Hey Guys, Hope some of you with the older long hoods will answer this. I am looking at or have the chance to buy a 1971 911T with around 120k miles but everything has been replaced on the car with OEM parts and has had one repaint. It was originally a special order car and has a paint color that is a "one of" color from the factory. It also had a couple other little special things installed at the factory because the original owner that originally ordered the car had his new car stolen about 2 weeks after he bought it. He went right back to the factory and had one fitted with special locking front vents and a special fuel pump cut off switch under the dash somewhere and a special paint color made to order.

I haven't seen it yet. However, I also know the mechanic that has worked on it for at least 20 + years and was the second owner. It's now in the hands of the 3rd owner and he's one meticulous guy at 70 years of age and has owned it for 18 years. He's had everything replaced and done and says that now it runs better than ever. Has the original Zenith carbs. Also has an original older 911 wooden steering wheel in good shape. The top was redone several times because this owner didn't liket the way the others redid it. He's happy now with the last rebuild. It's a particular shade of metalic ocean blue that is a little cameleon like from what he tells me.

What my basic question for you guys is what is this car worth? He won't sell unless he gets his price and we really haven't discussed that. Although the mechanic that has done all the work told him it was worth between 25k and 35k. From what I've seen on ebay that's in the ball park. The good thing here for me is that it's local and so's the mechanic. It's got the 5 speed gear box, rebuilt. No rust ever, no wreck ever, all receipts from brand new including original owner receipts and sales sheet. Well the more I talk about it the more it sounds like one of those "once in a lifetime finds" but maybe not but damn close I'd say. I will report again after I see it, but in the words of the owner "it's as close to concourse that a driver can be". He's put about 20k miles on it over the last 18 years a little over 1000 a year. But driven regularly. He's one of these maniacle fixers and if a bulb is out he goes nuts from what the mechanic tells me.

I think I'm on to a great one so, what do you guys think? If everything proves out to be as represented and it is indeed one of those "needles in a haystack" would I be making a good deal to get it for less than 30k? I'd like to get it for around 27k or less because I really haven't got any business buying it anyway. I just can't afford that much in a third car but it sounds like it may be worth what the guy wants. I guess there is another part of this equation, if I buy it and it turns out to be truly great, will it continue to escalate in price?

It may be one of those opportunities like Jim Schrager mentions that will turn out like the old 356s and being a targa, well it's an open air car without the hassels of a canvas top. The guy says it's noisey, well, that's good isn't it for us air cooler dudes. He says it's absolutely stock with no rust anywhere and he never drives it in the rain and has only been caught out in the rain - once! Pretty cool. Let me hear from you guys.

I don't know what I'm in for here with these old guys - never owned one before, but I sure like the sound of carbed 911s. Actually there is no better sound in the world to me. Thanks to all, Tim

[Dan Morton]

Has the engine been rebuilt? If not, I would think it would be due and will run you $8-10k to have it done.

Sounds just like my 1970 911 and I feel mine's worth between 25-$30k. I've had the engine rebuilt to E specs and added Webers which would add a lot more over a car without this done. The carbs alone cost $1,800 completely rebuilt.

These older 911's really jumped in price over the past few years but I wonder if they could dip with the recent economic issues.

It's hard to find an older 911 in such great shape that hasn't been molested.

I wouldn't pay this amount unless the car is in perfect condition with rebuilt engine, and needs nothing major.

-Dan
1970 911T

[onlycafe]

please post pictures.

[LakeCleElum]

If it's something you really want, have a careful PPI done that would include all the standard stuff + leakdown, and have the valve stems checked to see if there is any "side-to-side" play....As mentioned, the early engines rarely made it much past 100K w/o expensive attention.

Will it go up much in value? Not for a long time-The market has been run up a lot in the past few years. The the current climate, don't look for more fast appreciation in the near future.

If you have your heart set on a long-hood, this sounds like top dollar for a good car. For less money, you could have many years of enjoyment in something with a 3.2 I think..

[the]

I follow the early market pretty closely. Prices are down, definitely. Pretty much across the board, but esp. for "driver" cars. 2.2 T Targas are not getting what they once did, in fact Ss aren't either. A year ago you couldn't find a decent driver S anywhere in the 30s, now you easily can in the 30s, and there have been S no sales in the 20s even (for complete, decent driving cars).

A $30K 2.2 T is either going to have to be very original, low mileage, very nice, or a high dollar restored/modified car, IMO.

[Bobboloo]

It sounds like a really nice car.

Keep in mind though that it's now a buyers market. There's no longer a line of people with cash competing do buy these cars so you can take your time deciding and investigating the car. Do some more research on where the prices are because they change by the week. Until recently these cars prices have stayed high only because the dollar has been weak to the Euro but with the recession hitting Europe don't expect that to be the case anymore.

I think the price you're thinking about, $27k, is probably a pretty good guess from the description you've provided but of course there is always a bit of history that you don't know about. I would start lower and work from there. I would also suggest you have it inspected buy someone that really knows these cars. The mechanic that's worked on it for the last 20 years should owe his loyalty to the guy that has lined his pockets for the last twenty years so maybe you should look for someone else to give you an opinion about the car.

[Decks911]

I have a 71' coupe (genuine) with original paint (code 133) The door jams look white but the rest of the car looks ivory. I've looked every where for signs of "repaint" but can't find anything. Hence the "original paint "title. Are there any genuine white 1971 T's out there? Has the paint oxidized to an ivory? I kind of like the color and want to paint it the same. Does anyone have a list of paint codes?

[mhunter]

I have a '71 911T , and it is ivory white too. Its never been repainted. I was thinking of painting the hood and deck lid, but I'm afraid that the paint will not match up to old paint

mh