1977 911 Targa S - need price guidance

[richk11]

New member and looking for some guidance. Have been on Rennlist for over a decade and a member suggested posting here. I am looking at buying a one owner 1977 911 targa with 64,000 miles. The color is sahara beige. Both the interior and exterior of the car are in excellent condition. The car has never been in an accident and paint is original.

Here is the downside. The owner is 84 years old and can't find any of the service records. He claims the car gets an annual visit to the mechanic. I am waiting to have a direct conversation with the mechanic. If car checks out what is a fair price to pay. Thanks in advance for the guidance.

Rich

[juanbenae]

where are you located and what are the emission requirements for your state?


does he remember where he had the work done? if so you might be able to talk to his wrench and get some history. if he has good things to say about the car and you like the shop you may want to have him do a partial PPI checking compression & leak down numbers, cut open the oil filter, find out id the thermal reactors are still in place (bad thing), or if there are any pulled head studs.

otherwise take it to another shop and have a PPI done. have them at least do what I suggest above in the look-see. a non smog test state it might be a fine car. in CA or CO you are fuched with anything 76 and older.

if you've not researched the pitfalls of the 2.7 engine shame on you for coming to class unprepared.... ….

[Rick Brooklyn]

I'm the Rennlist member who suggested Rich taps into the vast Pelican knowledge

Like I said on the other forum, '77 Targa is the runt of the litter of air cooled 911 but middies are actually very fun cars and sahara beige is a marvelous and very rare color.

In my very humble opinion if the car checks out it could be worth any price with a 3 handle.

[Matt Monson]

Even with annual service a 77 one wants to go through the engine and update the bad things out of it using early 2.7 (like fan) and SC(exhaust) stuff. At 64k an engine rebuild might even be in order.

That said it could be an awesome car. $25-30k all day long. As high as low 40s if it's really pristine.

[thamlin000]

In original spec (thermal reactors, 5-blade fan) the 77 2.7 mag engine never lasted past 70k miles before requiring a rebuild. If not already done, this car will need it. If this car is still sporting a 5-blade fan, my guess is that it isn’t rebuilt or rebuilt properly. Head studs commonly pulled on this engines vs breaking on later SC 3.0 and Carrera 3.2 engines. My car has a rebuilt 2.7 with all the needed upgrades; 11 blade fan, oil fed carrera tensioners, pop off and SSI with magnaflow exhaust.

Once the engine is sorted and smog stuff deleted, you can make the argument that these are actually the better mid-years (Carreras aside). Improvements over earlier cars include fully galvanized bodies, power brakes and better cabin ventilation with center dash vent. Like other mid years, it has chrome trim, narrow body, funky 70s colors and pop out windows on the coupes. The later flag mirror(s) and fat rear bumper pads are not as pretty as the 74 model.

Luckily, the market doesn’t see or realize what makes 77s good and these are the cheapest air cooled 911s. This mostly due to smog laws of California and the reputation of non-sorted engines. If the smog laws change and 77s are included as exempt, their value will go up. For now it’s great to have a cheaper way into the air cooled 911 world.

Edit: forgot to add value opinion: $25-40k, same at Matt. At $40k it better be well-sorted with extensive maintenance records.

[richk11]

Looks like car had rebuild in 1990...see attached receipt

[richk11]

Here are a few more pics I took this AM. Thinking of buying at $31k. Thoughts?

[1979-930]

Numbers matching, original paint, looks original down to the emissions system.
I'd say $31k is a good to great price. You should see the 74 turd I paid $26K for.

[Matt Monson]

^this

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by richk11

Here are a few more pics I took this AM. Thinking of buying at $31k. Thoughts?

That guy paid $5k in 1990 to fix a car that was probably worth less than that at the time, and then held it another 28 years. If he hasn't changed the 5-blade fan imagine the amount of respect he must have had for the rest of the car.

You probably have an inbox full of bottom feeders offering to flip the car for you for a small piece of the action.

The only thing that's difficult to understand is the fuzzy seat covers, but it's possible that they also date from way back when and pristine seats are to be found underneath.

I need another Targa middie like a hole in the head, but if you don't buy it I might ask you if you can connect me to the guy so I can buy it myself.

[davewadd]

I think you can get a nice SC with the 3.0 for about $5k more....

[thamlin000]

Originally Posted by davewadd

I think you can get a nice SC with the 3.0 for about $5k more....

Not with original paint, original owner and 64k mi.

Nice car here and well worth the $31k. Also has the sheep skin seat covers. Definitely the sign of a long term owner who cared for this car.

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by davewadd

I think you can get a nice SC with the 3.0 for about $5k more....

Not in that color with original paint, you can't.

Edit: damn I keep coming close second. Great minds think alike though!

[richk11]

Seats are perfect I checked.

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by richk11

Seats are perfect I checked.

What makes you hesitate, at this point?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[richk11]

Nothing...waiting for owner to accept my offer.

[budge96]

I saw the exact car same color but likely a '75 in my neighborhood in a garage a few years ago,
when I spoke with the owner and asked what it would take to buy it he said $25 K and this was
five years before the run up , I just shook my head and said good luck.. he was a lot closer to the
buy it now price than I would have ever presumed .. Bert

Oh and from someone that's been driving , buying and selling these since 1980 ,the last Targa I found and sold
also from my NWDC neighborhood included the very same sheepskins which at the time were the ultimate
optional seating addition and weren't cheap even then..

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by davewadd

I think you can get a nice SC with the 3.0 for about $5k more....

Yeah, but who really wants a SC over such a clean midyear nowadays anyway? The tables have turned. This car is much rarer, even more desirable than a comparable SC.

[kc911s]

Gotta love the narrow bodies!

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by richk11

Nothing...waiting for owner to accept my offer.

Don't wait too long. It might already be gone.