74 911s

[jjflash]

I know a lot about 951's, S2's, etc.

I know next to nothing about 911's in general, and less about "early" 911's. But I'm trying to learn more.

Here's the text from an ad for a '74 offered at $11K. Is this something to investigate like right now? Or is it just kind of normal. Pix of the car look nice, but not much detail.

"1974 porsche 911s. Over $30k in upgrade receipts. Fresh 2.7 liter engine with all appropriate upgrades (HYDRAULIC TENSIONERS, POP-OFF VALVE, CASE SAVERS, REMACHINED BLOCK, ETC.) Bursch steelpack performance muffler. Turbo tie-rod set. Carrera upgrades - factory fog lights, valance, chin spoiler, steel flares. Turbo tail. Stainless steel braided brake lines. Bilstien Rally-Sport nitrogen valved self-adjusting suspension front and rear. Front strut brace. Nice black interior. Sweet sound system - Blaupunkt cd stereo and Alpine amp with MB Quart speakers. Same owner since 1999. Inlaid porsche crest leather shifter. Automotion short shift kit. New tires...Etc. Car of your dreams."

If anyone wants to act as my 911 mentor, feel free!

[racer]

I would say that there is nothing truly special about this car.

The 2.7 liter motor is the least liked by many (not me, but many). '74s were a bit better because they still had an 11 blade cooling fan and none of the emmission equipment (thermal reactors -which really caused premature engine failure) that the later cars had. Still, a base 2.7 put out 150hp, an "S" put out 165hp. Certainly not much in today's market.

Now, the fact that the car has flares added means paint must not be original. Also, in '74, the "smoked" window trim would not be available. The car has been "modified" over the years so its intrinsic value as an original '74 is gone. Because that is gone, I would be more intersted in an SC (it came with flares and has a more powerful and robust 3.0l motor and factory rust protection)

just my $.02

[Fidalgo911S]

A good '74 911 is a solid car. Especially if it's been well taken care of. But that car has been changed so much to look like a 911SC that it barely resembles it's former self. You'd be better off, IMHO, buying a SC if that's what you like.

[jjflash]

Originally posted by racer
I would say that there is nothing truly special about this car.

The 2.7 liter motor is the least liked by many (not me, but many). '74s were a bit better because they still had an 11 blade cooling fan and none of the emmission equipment (thermal reactors -which really caused premature engine failure) that the later cars had. Still, a base 2.7 put out 150hp, an "S" put out 165hp. Certainly not much in today's market.

Now, the fact that the car has flares added means paint must not be original. Also, in '74, the "smoked" window trim would not be available. The car has been "modified" over the years so its intrinsic value as an original '74 is gone. Because that is gone, I would be more intersted in an SC (it came with flares and has a more powerful and robust 3.0l motor and factory rust protection)

just my $.02

Thanks for this. For a beginner in the 911 marketplace where prices seem to be all over the place this is very helpful.

Not being overly familiar with what is original and what isn't (although I could tell that this car wasn't really *that* original) is a bit of a handicap. From what I've seen so far it appears that there is a *real* preimium on "original" cars--at least those that have been either preserved or brought back to good condition? I'm a bit confused on "non-original" cars. Ones like this example seem to be very moderately priced and not particularly sought after. However, there also seems to be a sub-set of non-original cars (I'm thinking the "R-Gruppe" type here) that are priced right up there with the better "original" cars. I guess I need to better understand what kinds of modifications increase value and which decrease it.

If I had the space and time I'd seriously consider just buying a project and suffering through the learning curve that way!

[blubayou 911]

The other thing that you should consider since you are in CA is smog. 1975 and older cars do not have to have smog checks like other cars. So, if you are looking to do any engine work than this is a better car for you than say a SC or newer car.