What reserve would be suitable for this Sepia 73.5T?

[73.5TinPA]

Am planning on listing this on BAT, soon.

I have owned this car since 1990, my brother owned it since 1977, before me.
It's got 95K miles with all service records from new (sold new in S. Calif).
I'm 70 & have taxes to pay, or I would keep it. Kid is not a car enthusiast.

Transaxle was re-syncroed on 1,2,3 & resealed recently, as new internally.
Engine was rebuilt with new #3 piston 20K miles ago, but noticed some gold flakes last oil change, so stopped driving it.
Engine runs & sounds great, but loses oil pressure slowly.
Can't afford to have it fixed. Likely bearings are wearing.

Original factory paint with exception of hood being painted (perfect match) and door was slightly damaged and repainted- again, good match.
Car is remarkably original throughout, absolutely no corrosion anywhere- that's right- it was always garaged.
Good original headliner, with slight glue stain above rear window.
Seats are good, carpet is good, dash has no cracks, original steering wheel.
Michelin XWX's lots of tread, but old. Fuchs nice.
Just polished & waxed it with Griot's + random orbital buffer- paint is awesome.
Sooooo...
What do you folks think would be a reasonable Reserve Price to ask from BAT?

[juanbenae]

i did a quick search "73.5" in the cars for sale forum and there are a number of them there from the last three years or so that might be a good place to consider boning up on if you've not done so already. the 1st two coupes i looked over were very nice cars both 90k plus ask. your pictures really don't do the car justice thus far. the oil, Arm & Hammer box and whatever else you got laying around there interior shot is my fav.....

with that said, i think it's a really cool car.

[techweenie]

You can ask $85K, but BAT will have a reserve price in mind and will give you a LOT of pushback on anything higher than what they project.

After all, they want to sell the car, not produce an RNM.

Trust me, I've been through it and they're not very flexible.

The BAT crowd seems to reward nice pics and videos far beyond intrinsic value.

[73.5TinPA]

Thanks, both of you for your responses.

I have sold two cars (SE Miata & TR6- both beautiful cars) on BAT, so I am familiar with the site.
They are under new ownership (Hearst), I don't know if that changes their decision making.

What I am looking to find out from you folks is what Reserve Amount seems reasonable.
Not a sell price, but a reserve price that seems fair--- given the engine issue.

$40K? maybe? Just looking for some feedback on a fair Reserve amount. Thanks.
I always enjoy the posts that both of you post, cause you have experience.

[techweenie]

I was serious about the $85K.

But you can do anything lower and likely not get any pushback.

At $40K, send me your payment info! LOL

[73.5TinPA]

Oh, I thought that you meant that as a possible high sell price for a perfect specimen.

You are taking into account that the engine needs bearing repair?

Okay, I am a bit surprised, but I can handle it.
Thank you, tw, will try to adjust my expectations. :-)

[techweenie]

Sorry, missed that the engine needs repair. The rest looks quite good in the photos. I'd say ask for a $55K reserve...

[73.5TinPA]

Okay, that seems about right. Thank you!

[Mitch Kaye]

40-50 seems like a good spot.
Paint color and the possibility of a $20k repair will keep price low

[1979-930]

I have to say you're a good guy 73.5.
Saw something suspicious in the oil and are willing to offer that information up without knowing the reason.
Some people would change the oil and sell the car at full value without saying a thing.

If you are going to do the BAT route maybe change the oil, let it idle up-to temp and take a sample to send to Blackstone Labs. At least you can get an idea if it is bearing material or maybe camshafts.
I've had rebuilt engines have more metal dust than I wanted to see in the first oil change. None of them let go.

[Matt Monson]

I was gonna say $65k, but also glazed past the engine ? I’m with TW.

[thamlin000]

Ok, here’s my take. An original long hood. That runs but needs engine work.
-95k miles with all docs/records from new
-original paint, except door and hood.
-long term ownerships dating back to the 70s.
-nice map pockets and dash, at least what I can see in these pics. Clearly garage kept and cared for well.
-sepia brown is not for everyone but there is still a minority of people like me who prefer browns and earth tone 70s cars.
-honest seller

On BaT: $60k.

With an good documented engine rebuild and a factory radio, this could be a $90k+ car.

[73.5TinPA]

The ash tray is out for some reason, it's on the floor, guess I was cleaning it.

A heartfelt thank you to all of you who have replied- it really makes this a fun endeavor to communicate with folks like you. So, thank you.

Derrick, I did send an oil sample out for analysis- and they reported finding nothing. Guess I should try a different analysis place & make a note of what to look for.
The gold flakes do clearly show to the naked eye in the expelled oil.

I posted these additional photos cause you guys were so nice as to contribute to this thread- it really helps me to feel good about passing on this baby- I mean it is either sell the house or sell the 911- and believe me there is not a clear answer there.

On the current rebuilt original engine I have driven from Houston, TX to York, PA; from York, PA to Sanibel Island, FL (roundtrip); and from York, PA roundtrip to the Cincinnati, OH Parade where I got to shake hands with Peter Porsche- what a gentleman he is.

Every time I watch an early 911 video I think: "sure am glad I have one".

[1979-930]

I'd drive it and continue to monitor oil samples. But that's me.
I not a fan of Sepia Brown, but I like the original condition and story with this car.
I would own it, drive it and let it be what it is. Hopefully someone doesn't do an over the top restoration to it.

I may actually watch a BAT auction. Let us know when it's listed.

[sugarwood]

You want the maximum price?
List it with no reserve.

Hire a pro photographer.
Don't even think about posting those photos you took yourself

[73.5TinPA]

The car is stored sideways across the back of my garage, and kept covered.
It'll take me a day to move things around & pull it out- it's on roller skates.

I'll have to R&R the old gas, fill it with fresh oil and fit a battery.
I remember that an oil return tube was leaking onto the exhaust, smoking.

Will probably take a compression test, too.

If/when I get it running, will film it with a go-pro & post to my youtube account.

These pictures were just to give an idea of general condition.
I'm pretty decent with my digital camera when it is outdoors.

Thank you for the encouragement.

[73.5TinPA]

sugarwood, could you please explain the logic behind 'no reserve'?

I really don't get it- sometimes people win big, sometimes they lose big time.

I can't afford to chance giving it away for too low a price. I'd rather keep it.

[Matt Monson]

You’re likely to see a couple PM offers before you even roll it out...

[thamlin000]

This is really an exciting car to pop up here; it’s a jewel. Doesn’t happen here often. Put a reserve on it if it goes to auction. If it doesn’t sell, you can sell it yourself. Or any high end broker or consignment place will want this car.

Take under pics showing the front pan suspension mounts, kidney bowl and floor pan. A pro photographer for a car like this is worthwhile.

I’d love this car for myself but have too many cars right now; it’s out of my price range too.

[LakeCleElum]

I've had my 73.5 since 1990.......Yours is nicer than mine......

I wouldn't take dime under $60K with the numbers matching engine and the high compression 3.2 currently in it. Zero rust ever.......No plans to sell anytime soon......