Should I sell the '72T, or will I hate myself later?

jim72911t · 05-07-2008, 11:47 PM

Some recent life changes have me thinking that it might be time to sell the Porsche.

First, a little about the car: '72T, non sunroof, original 4-speed transmission and 5 15x6 Fuchs with 205/60 Yok AVSi's. Repainted at least twice, originally Light Ivory but now a fair approximation of Light Yellow. The engine was rebuilt about 4 years ago to a high compression 2.4E spec, using 2.2E pistons, 2.4T crank, and E cams. Case savers were installed, and the case was determined to not need any more work, according to my Porsche tech. It currently has Zenith carbs, but I have the original MFI, which most likely needs new throttle shaft bushings and a possible pump rebuild. The suspension pan was replaced when I bought the car, but could use a bit more work. There is a bit of rust at the base of the windshield pillars and around the base of the rear window.

I had the car running beautifully after the rebuild, but only after the switch to carbs. Shortly after, the car refused to run for more than a few seconds at a time, which I'm thinking might have been caused by too much crap in the fuel tank.

To be honest, I kind of gave up on it at that point. It's been sitting in the garage for close to two years now.

I've been collecting parts, as well. I've got a right front fender, hood, SC spring plates, 25mm rear TB's, an Odyssey PC1200 (which I've faithfully kept on the charger), and a few more bits and pieces that I can't think of right now.

So, Pelicans, what would you do in my situation? Any idea of the value of something like this?

Thanks,
Jim

javadog · 05-08-2008, 04:44 AM

Keep it and get it sorted out. These cars are still going up in value.

JR

2.4te · 05-08-2008, 05:32 AM

Keep it. Reinstate the MFI. They are wonderful cars.

Rot 911 · 05-08-2008, 05:39 AM

Why keep something that has sat in your garage for two years? Sell it and buy something that gives you some enjoyment.

billybek · billybek's Garage

You might regret selling it without sorting it out first...
The dollar value of a well running car will naturally be higher..
You may change your mind about selling if it is running well and you can actually drive it.

Paulporsche · 05-08-2008, 06:42 AM

Hoping I'm not being too personal, but are the life changes more like financial, eg paying for the upgrades, or physical, eg not able to drive a standard anymore?

Sounds like it's well on its way to becoming a real fun car.

Zeke · 05-08-2008, 08:57 AM

The MFI will need to be changed to run on the new engine specs. There's a bunch of money involved. You didn't say whether you needed money of not, but you could sell the MFI and pay for some other needed work. Having the original MFI in a box will enhance the value of the car.

You bought a fender and hood. Why? We can't give much of a value estimate when that suggests something is wrong. All in all, a decent running car that looks great from 10 feet would surely fetch 15-20 K. Pristine is something else and a '72 S might bring 75K. So, you're towards the bottom end of the scale, but not a bad scale to be at the bottom of.

Christien · Christien's Garage

I've considered selling my 72T or trading it for a later 80s 911 many times. It's definitely a lot of work, which is a strain on both my time and chequebook. But each time I get thinking about it, something in the back of my head makes me think that if I did get rid of it, I'd regret it sooner or later. I picture myself when I'm older (I'm 32 now) saying 'yeah, when I was younger I had this awesome 72 911 with RS flares, ducktail, man was that car fun, shoulda never got rid of it!'.

I'm trying to learn at least one lesson the easy way.

rgrimm · rgrimm's Garage

You say you had it running on the carbs? Running for a few seconds could be gas starvation. I'd be tempted to drain and clean the tank, new filters, new gas and see if you can fire it up. Get it running, take it out for a "Porsche tuneup" and get the cobwebs blown out, and then make a decision...

911s55 · 05-09-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim72911t

Some recent life changes have me thinking that it might be time to sell the Porsche.

.

So, Pelicans, what would you do in my situation? Any idea of the value of something like this?

Thanks,
Jim

You explain a bit of the "cars" situation but not yours.
Lack of funds, mechanical ability and desire, health or realtionship issues?

Scooter · 05-09-2008, 10:11 AM

I've regretted getting rid of every Porsche I have ever owned. But, I would have regretted buying the next Porsche I owned even more.

dmcummins · 05-09-2008, 01:49 PM

Ive got a 73 that Ive been thinking of selling. They don't seem to be dropping in value so I figure its not costing me that much to keep it. So for now I figure I'll just keep it for awhile as the money sitting in the bank wouldn't be earning much either.

Now if someone wants to give me more than I think its worth I'd let it go. But I'm not looking to sell as I don't need the money. I still love the looks of the car and like to drive it. As others have said, you need to get it running and then deceid.

Laneco · 05-09-2008, 02:08 PM

The extraordinary thing about selling an almost-but-not-quite-running 72 is that you can regret the decision both immediately and in the long run...

Immediately when you take alot less for it than you should had it been running, and the long run as the prices continue to rise and someone else reaps the profit of your sale.

angela

SandyI · 05-09-2008, 02:16 PM

Sell it. If you miss it, you can find another. But I'm guessing you won't miss it at all.

911s55 · 05-09-2008, 02:16 PM

If you HAVE to sell the car, sell it!

If you don't WANT the car, sell it!

Only YOU know!

Good luck!
David

Laneco · 05-09-2008, 04:57 PM

Oh by the way, couldn't help but notice you are in Chico - just a short trip down I-5 from us...should you decide to sell...

angela

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Ditto, that's pretty close by. . .

drm05 · drm05's Garage

Keep it!!! let it live on... these are things we need to keep on the road unless it has too much cancer... I had the same thought years agar when I received this...ti

1972 T it was my fathers, as I started digging into it I always needed to go a but deeper,

3 years later, lots of patients beers and cheers fro the supporting fans

img]HTTP://forums.pelican parts.com/uploads/72T1213240356.jpg[/img]

Hugh R · 06-11-2008, 08:40 PM

A few months ago I sold an Aston Martin DB4 that I had owned for 37 years. It was my greatest joy for many years. The last 5 years or so I didn't drive it, it was getting real hard to get new or used parts, you had to massage the parts that you could get in order for them to work. For example $1,200 for a set of main bearings which were basterdized from an XKE and I had to have the crankshaft ground and hard chromed inorder to get the correct clearances. New or used trannie synchro rings NLA. I drove it only cause it needed to be driven.

Granted I got A LOT of money for it, but I don't really miss it. I don't know what you can sell your car for, but the sale of mine allowed me to do some things that I'd wanted to do for years with the money.