Search for a 73 RS

[PB911]

I am in the process of looking for a 73 RS....clearly these are old cars and there are a huge amount of variables. Nirvana is an unrestored, totally original car with fantastic history and impeccable maintenance. Those cars are priced accordingly and are really never going to be used as an accident would mean the car is worth probably 30% less than what you paid for it because it loses that USP of being a totally original car. So that’s not a a car I am interested in..I want to use and enjoy the car. I know I could build an amazing replica for half the price but that’s not the point.

So in valuing these cars and deciding what is a good car is pretty complicated.

An original car...verified by third party marque expert
Matching numbers
Known ownership history from new
Detailed maintenance
High quality restoration (I’d argue that’s harder to come by than it should be)
Competition history


I’ve come across a car that has decent and very well documented period competition history, has been fastidiously maintained (the history file for maintenance is also very detailed) but is definitely not 100% as it left the factory because it was used in motorsport for fifteen years. It’s had a good quality restoration. It also doesn’t have it’s original engine in it but the original is in a crate.

So it’s not a matching numbers car but the original engine is with it.

How would the market look upon a car like that ? For me the competition history is worth something and I am not sure how big an issue the original engine being in a crate is.

For me I love the fact it’s got competition history. The fact it’s not got original arches etc I am not sure many are original (apart from the hugely valuable unicorns)....most cars that have been painted have probably had bodywork/replacement panels....especially in Europe where a lot of these cars were sold they will have seen a hard life and had rust which will have been dealt with.

One thing is for sure a lot of cars can be discounted just because of a lack of history.

[faapgar]

Good luck and may the force be with you.If you actually found one you would be afraid to use it because of the value.Just by a repop and beat it accordianly.Ciao Fred

[motogman]

You gave an indication of what you are looking for in a car but not why? What do you want out of it? Is it an investment that you are hoping appreciates? Is it a piece of art? You suggest you would not drive it. If not, then what?

[Jjm4life]

i never understand threads like these. if you have the means to afford one, just contact any of the countless brokers who specialize in cars like that, and let them do the legwork of finding/authenticating. why bother with a forum?

[Marc Bixen]

"Yea, so I've got this old Porsch in the garage, 73, I think. It's got these ugly side stripes on it and someone once painted the wheels to match. I think it won a race in Florida once, then got parked. Anyone interested? I don't even know what it's worth." I think that's what he's looking for. Jjm4life, you and I think alike!

[Trackrash]

Fishing for sure. The OP must know he is talking about a million dollar car. Maybe hoping some one on this board needs to liquidate assets?

[DerkPerk]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

"Yea, so I've got this old Porsch in the garage, 73, I think. It's got these ugly side stripes on it and someone once painted the wheels to match. I think it won a race in Florida once, then got parked. Anyone interested? I don't even know what it's worth." I think that's what he's looking for. Jjm4life, you and I think alike!

Brilliant and funny. I’m here for the entertainment!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[darrin]

keep an eye out for this one tho 73 RS fraud must read

[PB911]

Originally Posted by motogman

You gave an indication of what you are looking for in a car but not why? What do you want out of it? Is it an investment that you are hoping appreciates? Is it a piece of art? You suggest you would not drive it. If not, then what?

Sorry for giving that impression. No buying it to use it, I’d intend to do maybe two or three thousand miles a year. I’ve no interest in having a car as a piece of art or something to polish....or as an investment.

[PB911]

Originally Posted by Jjm4life

i never understand threads like these. if you have the means to afford one, just contact any of the countless brokers who specialize in cars like that, and let them do the legwork of finding/authenticating. why bother with a forum?

I have found a car I am interested in...I am more interested in the view of enthusiasts of these type of cars about the various things that go into the value of them than the countless brokers...some of whom I have spoken to. I posted on this forum because reading old threads there is clearly a lot of knowledge about these cars. I understand I am a new to the forum which makes people suspicious/think I’m a 14yr old dreaming of owning one of these cars but I’m somewhat older than 14. Nearly bought one 20 years ago but didn’t and frankly would probably have bought a bad one. It would have cost a tenth of what these cars are worth now but when I think about what a car like this would have cost to own for the last twenty years I don’t think the gargantuan profits are quite what people think. In fact when I think about cost of capital, restoration costs (which a car bought twenty years ago would have needed by now), maintenance costs, insurance costs etc it’s a big number !

[PB911]

Originally Posted by darrin

keep an eye out for this one tho 73 RS fraud must read

Yes, thanks. I’ve heard some shocking stories...including dealers getting caught. Ownership history is so important. Anything that’s changed hands frequently in particular is a worry.

[PB911]

Originally Posted by darrin

keep an eye out for this one tho 73 RS fraud must read

Thanks, I’ve given it a read. I have heard of some horrendous stories including dealers getting caught.

[2.7RS]

Originally Posted by PB911

I have found a car I am interested in...I am more interested in the view of enthusiasts of these type of cars about the various things that go into the value of them than the countless brokers...some of whom I have spoken to. I posted on this forum because reading old threads there is clearly a lot of knowledge about these cars. I understand I am a new to the forum which makes people suspicious/think I’m a 14yr old dreaming of owning one of these cars but I’m somewhat older than 14. Nearly bought one 20 years ago but didn’t and frankly would probably have bought a bad one. It would have cost a tenth of what these cars are worth now but when I think about what a car like this would have cost to own for the last twenty years I don’t think the gargantuan profits are quite what people think. In fact when I think about cost of capital, restoration costs (which a car bought twenty years ago would have needed by now), maintenance costs, insurance costs etc it’s a big number !

Why don't you take us all out to dinner.

And I'll tell you about my car and other leads and whatever else you want to talk about

[Walter_Middie]

I’m surprised at the amount of distrust with PB911 here, and the unwillingness to help. The advice when looking for a specific car, especially a rare and valuable car, is to contact a car club or talk to people “in-the-know” (that would be the folks here on Pelican).

Someone suggested:

just contact any of the countless brokers who specialize in cars like that

Not everyone wants to have a slimy experience, buying from a middle-man that is only interested in getting as much as possible for the car, and not wanting to complete any repairs before or after the sale.

PB911 obviously has thought this trough, and knows what he is looking for:

Nirvana is an unrestored, totally original car with fantastic history and impeccable maintenance.

that’s not a a car I am interested in.

Someone else asked:

You suggest you would not drive it.*

But BP911 already said:

I want to use and enjoy the car.

Or the suggestion:

Just buy a repop and beat it accordingly

- BP911 has already said:

I know I could build an amazing replica for half the price but that’s not the point.

And the comment:

Fishing for sure.

Yes - that’s the point and what he is asking - Does anyone know of a car that may be for sale or is coming up for sale? Who better to ask than Pelican? Possibly he could post on the Marketplace section of this forum where less people will be insulted by the question.

[NYNick]

Geez guys. Tough crowd. Lighten up.

Best of luck PB. The key to your deal is the original engine in the crate. Racing history is cool, but condition and originality are everything. Personally, I like unrestored driver level cars like this, but those are getting harder and harder to find.

And they're not "million dollar cars".

Welcome to the forum. Ignore the haters.

Nick

[PB911]

Thanks for you comments NYC Nick and Walter Middie.

I am not fishing...I have found a car I am very interested in. Given the expense of getting these cars professionally inspected cars and the time and logistics issues at the moment I don’t want to be chasing multiple cars.

Yes, a driver level unrestored car would be great but like you say they are not common. From my limited experience of researching these cars most have been restored to some level....whether that’s paint touched up and interior refreshed or a full bare metal restoration with some replacement panels/metalwork and a brand new interior.

So this car with it’s original engine in a crate....good news is that it’s got a spare engine (the one in it)...but the original would need re-commissioning. Quite a few of these cars have replacement engines so...maybe I am wrong but because this car has it’s original engine with it it’s not as much of an issue in terms of value as a car where the engine has been lost ?

Likewise is my assumption that most of these cars have had some form of metalwork/replacement panels ? Given not many were delivered to countries with kind climates to cars and that in period most of these cars were used as the maker intended is a car that’s had work done (to a high standard) really such a bad thing ?

Key to me I suppose is that once a car has been restored it’s been done by someone that’s puts it back together as closely as possible to when it left the factory. I get the feeling those cars are the exception and not the rule ?

[motogman]

Someone else asked:
Quote:
You suggest you would not drive it.*
But BP911 already said:
Quote:
I want to use and enjoy the car.


Yeah - that was my comment and I miss read the original post where OP said the cars are worth so much they are not used.... you are correct.

[Helix8]

Bruce Canepa

[mike fitz]

Good luck with your search PB911 I wish one day I could afford a 73 RS.............

[88911coupe]

When I lived in Tulsa, OK (2005ish) there was a PCA breakfast every saturday (still do this as I was told). Anyway they had some really nice Porsches, one of the guys had a real 73RS which he finally brought one day. It was awesome to actually see one in the flesh since that's as close as I'd ever get to one. He said he was still using it in some driving events...until his wife found out what it was worth! LOL. He sold it but I think it was before they went stratospheric in pricing. Good luck with your search.