Color Change = Loss of value?
 

Before I change the color (again) of my '74 911S Targa is there any substantial loss of vintage value if the paint doesn't match the code? The rest of the car is entirely original. It has had the color changed a couple of times, including into the door jambs, etc, so it would be a significant project to restore it to original, but so would changing it again anyway...
Thanks,
-C

In my humble opinion, a car must maintain the original colour, or it will be worth less at sales time.

I won't even consider a color changed car when shopping.

A '74 S Targa is becoming a fairly rare car. If the rest of the car is "original" as you mentioned
then the correct original color is a big plus to the value and I personally like the colors from that period, even sepia brown. What is the orginal color?

David

Original color is Silver Metallic, which I have no objection to. It's actually my wife who wants it red... but that's a whole different topic. I'll convince her that the next one will be that color...
And yes it's completely box stock, engine re-worked (certs, etc) trans refreshed, suspension this summer.
Thanks for all your input.
-C

Ugh - I wouldn't do the red thing....

To add bling get some graphics from Joe Bob, maybe color match your fuchs or something.

Get your wife a Guardsman Red SC, Carerra or 944, there are a gazillion of them.

Silver metallic with the last year of the bright work exterior is a must!

David

A rare color, a survivor, a restored car - yes

But a modified Porsche I think would be acceptable. If we are doing engine and body changes the color should be thought in the same manor and a personal preference applied.

As the OP case if so much else is original as in a survivor a color change would hurt it. Now you have a reason for a second car.

Terry

Rare doesn't necessarily mean valuable, though. IMHO, I wouldn't worry about it. If it's a '73 RS, yeah, keep it original. If you're painting the car specifically to sell it, then maybe the original color has some bearing. If you're painting the car for "you", then paint it whatever color you like and live happily ever after. SmileWavy

All things being equal, i.e. 2 similar cars, one has original paint, one resprayed a different color, there's no question the one with original paint is worth more. The other extreme? A '73 RS that was sent back to the factory and acid dipped then resprayed a nice silver...that might be the RARE case where a respray of a different color does not hurt the value...at least not a lot. As I said...all things being equal, the car with the new color respray is worth less.

IMHO stay true to the factory with Silver Metallic
 

I bought what was supposed a red 1973 about 25 years ago when I was very young. It was not the Phoenix Red (L32K?) but Guardsman red. Check my Garage. It is R-E-D red. I run RS appearance and no bright work around the wheels or below the doors so it kind of works. I strongly recommend a Photoshop of the red to gain more perspective. Now days I yearn for the factory light yellow (code L117?) that is underneath. I saw a well restored 1973 metallic silver Targa at the P car shop and it was a beauty to behold. IMO It had a very clean understated kind of sexy look. IMHO the silver will yield the best appearance & resale value.

Great topic. Does it hurt the re-sale value....... it depends.
A stunning car will sell regardless of originality. Many concur restorations and championships feature color changes.

If your car is not stunning you will be peddling a non original car with a mediocre paint job.

Recently, I saw a concur champion Dino; started life red won its prize Yellow.


Finally, IMO, too many red Porsche's

With all do respect, making the comparison of a '74 S Targa verses a'73 RS is not even fair.

"All cars" in my opinion are more desireable if they are in their original presentation.

David

No, not an RS by any stretch, but a straight original S with Bilstein (also original) struts. California car, so very little rust. My goal is not necessarily to reap massive profits upon resale, though that would be nice.... I'm more looking for an out on the change to red, which I'm not terribly on board with. This gives me a "third party" to align with...
Many thanks,
-C

A lot of hand-wringing for no reason. I think it's silly to fret over a color change. As long as it's done well, who cares.

Silver is a much better color for resale than red, wether original or respray.

I agree with these points. If you have resale in mind paint it original. If you really really like another colour, repaint it as you like.

For my taste, I prefer silver to red, and original to not, so i would choose silver. If you were considering another colour, like Bahama blue, i might be swayed away from silver

Since the car has already had multiple color changes already, and isn't the original color currently, another color change won't hurt the current value at all.

"Re-sale Red" tends to sell faster
original tends to be more valuable

Exactly. We're not talking a really valuable car, here. And I'm not intending any offense relative to a '74 Targa. My car is even less "valuable". But who cares? Is this a concours crowd or people who love to drive fun cars?

To me, owning a 911 is all about enjoying the car, not worrying about what other people think. But then again, I'm not looking to sell my car.