'73 RS Motor

[9XI]

Assuming a '72 or '73 "S" driver, would swapping in a used genuine '73 RS motor complete, increase value? If so, how much? A $10,000 car becomes a $14,000 car?

How about factory limted slip differential -- another $500?

Opinions appreciated.

[ischmitz]

IMHO the car would increase its value for me if I would own the car and swap the engine for more driving fun.

As far as resale value goes people tend to look for "all original" so I wouldn't count on an engine swap to increase the cars overall value. People might perceive the car as patchwork and just worth less....

Having said that I am considering putting a 3.6 into my ‘74 Targa. But even if I spend a total of 10 grand the car would probably not go up in value much. Thus I will most likely keep the original engine. In case I ever plan to sell the car I would put the original engine back in and sell the 3.6 separately.

The LSD might be different because it's a real upgrade.

just my 2cts

[Randy W]

IMO, assuming the original engine was stored correctly and kept with the car, the value of the whole package would increase - maybe $5,000. If the original engine was converted to RS MFI spec, then the number of potential buyers would decrease significantly and the value would be comparble to what it would have been beforehand. Of course the car would be a blast to drive, and a test drive would do wonders for any potential sale....it worked on me.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by 9XI
Assuming a '72 or '73 "S" driver, would swapping in a used genuine '73 RS motor. complete, increase value? If so, how much? A $10,000 car becomes a $14,000 car?

How about factory limted slip differential -- another $500?

Opinions appreciated

Wouldn't a genuine '73 RS motor be worth more than the car itself? I would think it would up the value of the car but not by anywhere near the value of the motor I bet.
-Chris

[cegerer]

What's the serial number on the motor? I can look it up and see which RS it originally came in. -- Curt

[Wayne 962]

This is a somewhat silly topic. 9XI if you're trying to look at your 911 as an investment like stocks or real estate, you should stop. There are no good answers to questions like these. I would think that a genuine RS motor would add little or no resale value to the car (at least if I was buying it). They're not really worth anything in my opinion without the original matching RS chassis...

-Wayne

[9XI]

Thanks, Wayne. I've been called worse.

I'm keeping my eye out for a new car and the question actually involved valuation of a prospective new car.

Having had my ess car for 13 years, and seeing it appreciate $0, I am pretty in tune with the whole lack of investment potential concept. People have been predicting a spike in the price of esses for at least 15 years (when I started looking).

I am perfectly willing to put money in and drive it away. $10,000 for a hopped up RS motor would be worth every penny. It would just be a bad financial investment. That's what these cars are about for me -- putting the money in and driving your money's worth out of them!

[cegerer]

I think a genuine, intact, documented 73 RS motor WOULD add some value to an early S for many early-car and/or R-Grp enthusiasts. How much? I dunno. Afterall, you'd own a piece of the LEGEND! -- Curt