Price check on modified 75 Carrera coupe - opinions wanted

[MST0118]

Hello Everyone,

I am selling my Carrera Coupe with a 3.2 transplant. I still have the 2.7 motor that was in the car when I purchased it and will be part of the sale, but I recently discovered the engine number does not match the Kardex based on the COA and subsequent discussion with Porsche.

The recent history is that I bought the 75 Carrera coupe a couple years ago from a Porsche shop in Northern California. I was told that car was all original but when I recently tried to sell it I found out the engine number doesn't agree the number on the COA that I just received.

The engine number is correct for a California Carrera but doesn't match the last three digits for the particular car. The Porsche shop that I bought the car from thinks the COA is incorrect but Porsche rechecked and confirmed with the Kardex that the COA is consistent with it. I am disappointed about this to say the least.

Also, over the last 2 years, I made some changes and performance improvements to the car. For instance, I put a Quaife LSD, transplanted the 2.7 engine with a 3.2. I hired the Porsche shop to do a new top end on the 3.2 and installed newer Euro pistons and cylinders, SW chip, 964 cams, SSis etc. I had the transmission refreshed (e.g., new synchros) and had other improvements made like Carrera oil cooler with fan, new ventilated disks, pads, rebuilt 1989 Carrera calipers, new headliner, recovered dash.

I still have the 2.7 engine that came with the car and intended to give it to the buyer as part of the sale. If the original engine was a matching number on COA, I would have sold the car to prospective buyers for mid-$40,000 range. Now, that the car engine doesn't match the COA, I will have to reduce the price. The questions I have is how much should I reduce the price and what approximately is the market value of the car. Specifically:

1. How much do you think the car is worth as is, having a correct but non-matching numbered engine (ballpark estimate is fine)?

2. Would the combined selling price be higher potentially if I sell the 3.2 engine separately and then reinstall the non-matching but correct 2.7 engine and sell the car?

Please let me know what you think. I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Mike

[mreid]

Mid-40's for a 75 coupe sounds VERY optimistic. I paid $20k for mine earlier this year. However, while it has the original drivetrain in excellent condition, it was converted to a wide body, had turbo twist 17" wheels, and a 1987 turbo interior.

[MST0118]

Actually the mid-40s for a number matching original 1975 Carrera (not 911S) is what they seem to be going for. They're fairly rare (only 395 made) and some collectors are specifically looking for them.

If in concourse condition, the price can even go higher (50 to 60K). I had a deal on mine for mid-$40K that fell through because engine won't match COA. My question really boils down to what is the impact on price to this car for not having a COA matching number as it still has the correct type of engine (655XXXX) but does not reflect the number on the Kardex.

[mreid]

Sorry man, I missed the Carrera part. Mid-40's does sound right, but is your current 2.7 an MFI engine?

[MST0118]

No, the 2.7 engine is a CIS engine that is correct for a California Carrera but unfortunately the last three digits don't match the car's COA.

So, just trying to get a rough idea what the market price is for the car as is with the 3.2 engine that would be sold with the spare non-matching 2.7 Carrera engine. I was thinking of knocking off about $7,000 from the price for this, but not sure if that is too much or not enough.

[Mehoff]

The "big" premium of the Carrera is gone without the correct motor (is tranny a match?), but with an actual 2.7 Carrera motor it should still be worth a good amount.

Is the 2.7 rebuilt or otherwise in good (verifiable) running condition? If so I bet you should be able to clear $30k for the package; if not you may get dinged for rebuild cost.

To answer your initial question, you will probably get more by splitting it up if the 2.7 motor is a good runner.

If the car's not red I'd like to talk you about it.

[COLB]

The rebuilt 3.2 is worth a pretty penny.

People seem to sell running motors in good nick for $7000 (that is asking price, anyway.)

I would think a complete, rebuilt 3.2 with the specs you list would be worth upward of $10k on its own. Maybe more.

So I think your best bet is to sort the car with the 2.7, and sell the 3.2 separate.

Cost estimates of specialty models are much more challenging than standard models. I would propose you get a legit appraisal.

[techweenie]

Since the 2.7 isn't matching and a '75 Carrera engine is the same as a '75 S engine, I'd sell off the 2.7 and keep the Carrera & the 3.2 together. I used to have a '75 Carrera with a 3.2 and it was a great driving car. I think you're looking at $30-35K, depending on a lot of factors related to the car condition that you haven't mentioned yet.

[MST0118]

Thank you for the advice. That's helpful. Unfortunately, the car is peru red.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by MST0118

Thank you for the advice. That's helpful. Unfortunately, the car is peru red.

ROFL!

Seriously? Peru Red is one of my favorite colors, and it's a favorite of a lot of other people as well. If you're lucky enough to have a tan interior, it's a great combination.

[MST0118]

The condition of the car is good. Interior has been refreshed; it has new brakes. The transmission was partially rebuilt with some new parts include sycnchros, etc. It has a brand new Quaife LSD. Unfortunately, I invested over $20K into it in the last couple years.

[76_rookie]

Sounds like Tech might be interested... for the right $ of course and he is in your neck of the woods.

[CountD]

Ahem, and I wouldn't place all the chips on the Porsche COA to be correct in every way - especially since it is the engine number. The COA on my car had a engine number on the COA that isn't, and wasn't ever a Porsche production engine number ('75 S 2.7). So you can never be 100% sure the info they are giving you is correct in the first place.

[MST0118]

I would like to think so, too, but unable to prove to a buyer. When Porsche NA pulled the kardex the 2nd time it matched the COA but they admitt that it didn't account for any possible changes between the production date and when it was delivered to first customer whatever that means. Unfortunately, the P-shop that sold the car to me doesn't know the history going that far back.

[metzger]

Where are the pictures?