'83 SC Cabriolet - Questions

[vesnyder]

I have a low mileage '83 that is excellent condition. I have done a series of suspension upgrades - bigger T-bars - along with recent SSI's and M&K exhaust. I also removed the AC when I upgraded the exhaust. Do you think these upgrades will negatively affect the resale? Is this a car - being the first 911 convertible - that will be worth more than the other SC/cabriolets? Also, what level of upgrades do I limit myself to to maximize the value? Any insight would be appreciated.

[CountD]

I do not believe upgrades that bolt on or unbolt so the stock piece can be replaced would ever effect the value as long as you keep the old pieces. Also, I don't think by pulling the AC either would effect value - but I don't know when the dealers stopped doing the AC and when the factory started putting in their own AC (as this would be good to know).

I have always had a soft spot for a '83 SC Cab for some reason. I am not a fan of cabs, but always thought that having the first year 911 cab would be special and when I see one I always comment on it. I don't know if they will ever command a premium over a normal Carrera cab, but suspect that an '83 SC cab would take off in price when normal SC prices take off. If they ever do but suspect they will.

[JJ 911SC]

Life is too short, do upgrade that you like for yourself and not for resale value.

Mine will never be sold again, maybe given after I died and the lucky recipient will get a Frankenstein but it won't cost him a penny…

You don't have serial 00061 by any chance?

[rw229]

In the context of collector/resale value, originality is paramount. That said, most of your mods are reversible if you have the original parts. As a buyer, I would be more concerned with no accidents and good original paint, service history and standard SC upgrades. (Carrera chain tensioners and air box pop-off valve) The removal of the A/C, even while pretty much worthless may be an issue for some buyers.

The value of the '83 over later Cabs is intangible IMHO as each year after had improvements. Some buyers may place value on being the first 911 Cab, others may not.

[vesnyder]

JJ - I do not have Serial # 00061. Why do you ask? I have a later SC Cab with the Carrera block (without the sump plate).

[JJ 911SC]

00061 is the first production cab. Was still on the road when I did a Carfax in 2010.

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Well, did spend the $45 for 5 records but did only 3 records so far;

WP0EA0910DS170061, # 1 Cab: On the road in California, 5 Records (Mar 91-May 2010)

WP0EA0913DS170068, # 8 Cab (1st one in Canada): ??? in Quebec, 8 Records (Jun 94-May 02)

WP0EA0915DS170069, # 9 Cab (2nd one in Canada): On the road in British Columbia, 23 Records (May 94-Sep 2010). All record from the same location (3 battery replacement between 99-01)

WP0EA0911DS170070, # 10 Cab (3rd one in Canada): Mine, on the road in Ottawa, 17 Records (Mar 83-Jul 10). Only on that has records from day one.

I'll probably do WP0EA0911DS170067 (20 Records).

[vesnyder]

Mine is 170670. I assume that means it was the 610th one built? What can you tell me about that one?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

Mine is 170670. I assume that means it was the 610th one built? What can you tell me about that one?

According to the Red Book there were 1718 produced (D Program Aug 82 - July 83)

From my research and help from a Pelican in Germany, the 0001-0060 block was reserve for Porsche with 0061 being the first production car for sale.

Yours is toward the middle of the run, probably Jan 83 on the VIN sticker. You engine type should be 930/16 serialed 64D0XXX

You might find more info at Simon's Porsche 911 SC Site

[vesnyder]

JJ - Thanks! Will check out Simon's site for more info.

[JJ 911SC]

Vance,

If you have the Owners Guide, do you have the Cab supplement 6 pages that fit in the back pocket for the top? If not send me an e-mail address by PM and I'll send you a PDF of it.

[vesnyder]

Wanted to resurrect this thread as a fellow Pelican shared with me that he just bought an '83 SC Cabriolet for $65k! WOW? For that kind of dough I would sell mine but not sure that is realistic. Anybody have a sense what the Cabs are going for these days?

[02fly]

Everything is starting to bring stupid money and if the price of an 1983 cab is that much mine is for sale for a whole lot less

[COLB]

If a guy just paid $65k for an 83 Cab, I hope it came with a briefcase full of money in the frunk.

Like $30k in small, unmarked bills.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by COLB

If a guy just paid $65k for an 83 Cab, I hope it came with a briefcase full of money in the frunk.

Like $30k in small, unmarked bills.

Why would you need unmarked bills, Colb? Hmmmm.

I guess I would answer the op' s question with a yes, yes and none except keeping it in perfect running shape.

[speeder]

Don't have anything to add other than the fact that I used to drive a 1983 911SC cab quite a bit when it was new.

It belonged to a very close family friend, really like an uncle to me and he was the lawyer for Porsche in the U.S. In those days. When his firm started representing Porsche, he thought that he should get one and that was it. We all drove it a lot, my dad, me, his sons, everyone. It was a blast.

He and his son jumped in it one day and drove from MN to Vancouver with the top down, across Canada. He told me that they covered 1000 miles daylight one day. I need to visit him next week in MN, he is a 90 y.o. WW2 vet and my dad just told me that he was asking about me.

[speeder]

Sorry, just a Porsche story.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by speeder

Sorry, just a Porsche story.

But a great story - I wanted to be an in house lawyer for Porsche when I was younger. Now I just want mess around with the cars. But wait....would it be fun to be a Porsche testdriver?

[speeder]

It would be a blast for a while, I'm sure. But it's kind of like being a gynecologist, probably...you think you love something until you're knee-deep in it everyday and can't get a break.

[NYNick]

I would definitely NOT want to be a gynecologist, ever.
Just go to Walmart, and you'll understand why.

[speeder]

There are no Walmarts in my part of town but still...