How to value a '65 912

[waxbang]

Hello,

new to the forum. i'm looking at getting a 912. Found one from 1965. its in good shape for the most part. passenger pan looks to have some rust and some previously repaired with bondo in the rockers.
the car looks really pretty good despite this.

its a numbers matching 5 gauge and a 5 speed.

the motor, brakes and carbs have been rebuilt in the last year.

With the market making this run on small bumper porsches. I'm not sure how to even put a price on these anymore.

[SalParadise]

It's really hard to tell how much rust is really there in your photographs.

I can tell you that I looked at a similar car back in early 2011 and the cost was $5K. If it needs significant rust repair, and the floor and/or rocker is gone, I'd say $15K - because it needs $10K or more in repair for the rust.

You will never, ever break even on a car like this. It will haunt you like a curse to your bank account. You will have night sweats. You will try to convince yourself you did the right thing in buying it. But you should have waited for a better car. You should have saved the money and waited to find a car that did not have rust in the pans. It's that simple.

To me it would be worth $5K. To some delusional newbie who has his heart set on on old Porsche, probably $15K.

You better be sure before you plunk the money down on the barrelhead is that you want and old car experience. A 912 like this drives like an old car. And for the first bit you'll try to convince yourself it's cool and worth it, but in the end it's old and rusty and then you'll see how much it's gonna cost to set straight.

[Donald T]

I bought my '68 912 in 2009 for reasonable money (around $7k). Body was solid but engine # didn't match. The car is a driver and I've spent around $15K fixing things over the years (maybe more, I'm afraid to look at all the receipts). I think the car is worth around $25-30K in today's market so I'm likely not under water. If you are not handy at fixing things yourself, or don't have a talented brother-in-law, as did I, you will fail economically.

However, 912 prices are soaring (check out Bring A Trailer online) and a #s matching '65 912, in complete, restorable condition, is worth a lot more than $5k (IMO). 1965 is a very rare find. Still, this one looks like it has bad door gaps and a bad paint job. Ask about accidents, and ownership history. See a Certificate of Authenticity to verify the date of mfg and engine/transmission #s.

This car does not look as if it was pampered.

Rebuilding a 912 motor is about $10K+ and transmission is $3-4k. Everything else is also expensive.

I think you should ask yourself if you have the time and $$,$$$ to deal with a restoration. Or simply drive it and hope it holds together. But a '65 912 would be a pretty good thing to have. Look at what a restorable '62 356B coupe is commanding.

Good luck!

[Donald T]

BTW, a 5 gauge dash must have been pretty rare in 1965. I thought almost all were 3 gauge. No?

[Donald T]

I bought my '68 912 in 2009 for reasonable money (around $7k). Body was solid but engine # didn't match. The car is a driver and I've spent around $15K fixing things over the years (maybe more, I'm afraid to look at all the receipts). I think the car is worth around $25-30K in today's market so I'm likely not under water. If you are not handy at fixing things yourself, or don't have a talented brother-in-law, as did I, you will fail economically.

However, 912 prices are soaring (check out Bring A Trailer online) and a #s matching '65 912, in complete, restorable condition, is worth a lot more than $5k (IMO). 1965 is a very rare find. Still, this one looks like it has bad door gaps and a bad paint job. Ask about accidents, and ownership history. See a Certificate of Authenticity to verify the date of mfg and engine/transmission #s.

This car does not look as if it was pampered.

Rebuilding a 912 motor is about $10K+ and transmission is $3-4k. Everything else is also expensive.

I think you should ask yourself if you have the time and $$,$$$ to deal with a restoration. Or simply drive it and hope it holds together. But a '65 912 would be a pretty good thing to have. Look at what a restorable '62 356B coupe is commanding.

Good luck!

[thamlin000]

Looks like a late 66 or 67 due to 5 gauge dash with stainless dash trim. I think 65s had wood trim with 3 gauges. Need to post the vin to confirm.

Nice entry level long hood to enjoy and fix as you go assuming the price is under $20k.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by waxbang

Hello,

new to the forum. i'm looking at getting a 912. Found one from 1965. its in good shape for the most part. passenger pan looks to have some rust and some previously repaired with bondo in the rockers.

That car has red paint slathered over everything.

the car looks really pretty good despite this.

Do you really know what you are looking at ?

[Unobtanium-inc]

All the 65 and 66's were three gauge and the early 65's had a painted dash, like the 356. It was the last real tie to the 356 era, other than the 4 zyl engine.

A 912 is a great way to get into the Porsche world and they are simple enough a normal guy can wrap his head around one. Check ebay completed auctions to get a good idea of the market. Projects range from about $3000-15,000 in today's market with driver's going from $15,000-25,000. Over that and the car is pretty nice.

The pics are from my brother's one family owned painted dash 65, sold at Brumo's, very original car we are currently restoring.

---Adam

[waxbang]

Originally Posted by Donald T

BTW, a 5 gauge dash must have been pretty rare in 1965. I thought almost all were 3 gauge. No?

Most were 3 gauges with painted dashes to match the color of the car. 5 gauges were an option, so kind of rare if original to the car.
5 speed as well, which i understand is worth a bit more money.

[waxbang]

some additional pictures

only rust i could find in the passenger side floor.
here's a vin. and motor number.

appear to both be '65, but maybe one of you guys has a better idea than i do on confirming this.

[waxbang]

[waxbang]

the exterior paint looks really pretty good glossy. the door jambs look bad and not well done as you can see on the dripping paint on the vin.

[Unobtanium-inc]

This would be classified as a 65 made car for the 66 model year. It has a 66 paint code and it is far past the last car built before the Sept. Factory break, which was somewhere around 451500. So it's a 66, not a 65.

Here is one that just squeaked into 65.

---Adam

[waxbang]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

This would be classified as a 65 made car for the 66 model year. It has a 66 paint code and it is far past the last car built before the Sept. Factory break, which was somewhere around 451500. So it's a 66, not a 65.

Here is one that just squeaked into 65.

---Adam

Thanks, that helps. the title calls it a 65, but all the other things like gagues, dash were saying differently, so i'd wondered if it just got "upgraded" along the way and i'd read that some of the '65's left with 5 gauges.

The guys asking $21k.
I'm thinking based on this info and your input its probably not worth that. it was a lot easier when you could pick these up for $7-11k in ok shape. things have definitely changed since my last vintage porsche purchase.

[waxbang]

MY understanding on paint code is that this was originally a white 912? is that right?

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by waxbang

The guys asking $21k.
I'm thinking based on this info and your input its probably not worth that. it was a lot easier when you could pick these up for $7-11k in ok shape. things have definitely changed since my last vintage porsche purchase.

Ummmm, yeahhh. I would pass at this price and save your money and buy a better car for $4K more. A floor pan replacement is not for the faint of heart. At $21K there are better options.

[Matt Monson]

He will get very close to his ask on this car. I sold my 67 for similar money. Mine was nicer in some respects and rougher in others. Mine was an Oct 66 prodate, my67, first registered in CA in Dec 66, so titled as a 66.

5 guage was pretty rare that early. I personally think that's $1-2k bump in value. If it runs and drives as advertised, even with all the issues it's worth every cent of $20k, imo

[NYNick]

This car scares the hell out of me. For $20k I can think of better cars to buy, just not better Porsches.

[Unobtanium-inc]

$21,000 is pretty strong money for that car. If there is a little rust, there can be a lot more rust, and unless you like goopy red, you're gonna eventually paint it, and that's when you might find some ugly under the thick paint. And while you're painting the outside might as well work on the floors, and you might find more rust. So you could easily look up and spend another $30,000-50,000 on a car worth barely that, not counting the $21,000 you paid.
The only way you can do a car like this, is buy it and drive it, keep it garaged, put some rust-o-leum on the ugly parts and enjoy the wind in your hair, the minute you start trying to make it nice, the fun ends.
So if it runs and drives great, and you like the looks, spending $20,000 isn't crazy, but do not look behind the curtain, you won't like what the wizard looks like.

---Adam

[waxbang]

I think you are right.

I'm forcing it because i've been looking for a small bumper porsche for 3 years and this is the only one that's been in the range. but i think i'd buy it and regret it with the work that needs done.