Selling 73 RS Ducktail- Factory

[Chris Tallon]

Hello, it’s been a while. I’m getting ready to sell my Porsche parts that I’ve collected over the past 25 years. First up is my original 73 RS factory ducktail. It’s the all fiberglass version. It’s in great shape. I’m trying to put a value on it but am having trouble with recent sale activity. Can any of you offer any help? Thanks. Chris Tallon

[patclassic912]

Do you have any pics?

[Chris Tallon]

Yes, I’ll need to upload them. Any idea of value? Is it $6K, $8k or more? It would likely only interest someone who already has an RS and wants a spare tail, I’d think. Thanks

[speedster911]

when you say all fiberglass- does it have a steel or aluminum lid on the underside? Cut out holes in the metal for the license lights? Not 100% certain but I don't think an all fiberglass tail is OEM.

My .02

If original and needing repair- 2,500 - 3,500ish depending on condition

If perfect and original - 5,000 - 7,500. More, you will set on it for a while

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by speedster911

when you say all fiberglass- does it have a steel or aluminum lid on the underside? Cut out holes in the metal for the license lights? Not 100% certain but I don't think an all fiberglass tail is OEM.

My .02

If original and needing repair- 2,500 - 3,500ish depending on condition

If perfect and original - 5,000 - 7,500. More, you will set on it for a while

That was my understanding as well. Maybe MIB will tell us we are idiots.

[nathanbs]

I’m also not aware of an all fiberglass version but there are are few absolutes in porsches lol. I would imagine that it would almost be a prototype or very very limited for the first batch or something but if you went through the trouble and made a mould for both halves then why not just continue producing all glass tails? MIB is too busy looking at tiny shoes in the classifieds

[911heaven]

Originally Posted by nathanbs

I’m also not aware of an all fiberglass version but there are are few absolutes in porsches lol. I would imagine that it would almost be a prototype or very very limited for the first batch or something but if you went through the trouble and made a mould for both halves then why not just continue producing all glass tails? MIB is too busy looking at tiny shoes in the classifieds

Had a real 73RS back in early 2000s car #101. Matching numbers and with light weight steel bonnet and light weight metal in upper rear quarter panel roof area. I wasn't inquisitive enough then to think whether the tail was original or not. The wheels weren't and I think the tail either. I don't recall exactly, but the Aussie I sold it to may have spoken about that on my old thread called What did you do to your 911? His real name is Clyde. He knows more about that than me.

[911heaven]

OTE=speedster911;11126346]when you say all fiberglass- does it have a steel or aluminum lid on the underside? Cut out holes in the metal for the license lights? Not 100% certain but I don't think an all fiberglass tail is OEM.

My .02

If original and needing repair- 2,500 - 3,500ish depending on condition

If perfect and original - 5,000 - 7,500. More, you will set on it for a while[/QUOTE]

I personally believe from memory the original did have steel in it as reinforcement, not sure how much of it was steel. However, if yours is the real deal, I would say it's worth 15K at least to the person in need of one. Production numbers of the 73RS were like 1500? Original parts are rare, not cheap!

[juanbenae]

would there not be a porsche part number embossed in it somewhere if it was truly a factory piece?

[speedster911]

There has been a real tail for sale locally for $9,500. I think it has been listed FS for over a year.

[Chris Tallon]

It’s def a real tail. I meant that it’s not the aluminum version. The fiberglass is grafted to a steel frame. It includes the cutouts for the license plate frame, and also the tiny holes on either side for the rubber clasps. It’s in very nice shape. I’ll decide what to price it for and post it up soon. I appreciate all your assistance with this. Thank you all.

Chris

[speedster911]

Chris, I may be interested, keep me in mind - Thanks

[Chris Tallon]

[Chris Tallon]

Here are a few pics of the RS Tail we're discussing here. Thx

[nathanbs]

The problem with both the duck tails and whale tails is that they undoubtedly need restoration so it’s either it’s already been restored or it needs to be restored. If it’s already been restored was it done correctly or not. Yours has either never been restored or it was restored incorrectly. It’s A LOT of work to restore one and often times requires a new donor steel portion to be used. No matter what you sell it for someone has to spend $2500-4000 restoring it. I still think you could get $4000 +/- for it

[Chris Tallon]

Thanks all. Related to the last reply, I'd say my tail is not in the category of any need of restoration. The base is just fine and the fiberglass work is as it should be. The factory tails had that roughened look with the fiberglass. I doubt the factory ever considered what would happen to RS values, and thus to the related parts, so I doubt they spent much time perfecting the fiberglass work. This tail is only in need of prep and paint to the new owners desired color, no more. I'd say it's in its original condition, not restored. I've had the tail for almost 20 years. I've seen other original factory tails and they all look similar in terms of finish. This tail fit perfectly to my car and always looked great. I only removed it when I realized the value was increasing, and I didn't want it damaged or stolen. It's been in storage for the past 6 years.

Again, thanks for all the replies guys. It's been very helpful.

[nathanbs]

There are pretty serious cracks in the resin and filler on the underside. That’s not just a prep and paint. There will be corrosion inside of those cracked areas. If yet to see a cracked one that didn’t have corrosion

[Chris Tallon]

That’s certainly not the case here. Its a solid RS tail that has performed flawless for me for almost 15 years before I removed it. There’s bound to be separation between the fiberglass and metal after 47 years of service. The tail is solid and authentic and certainly does not need restoration. I’ll be posting it for sale soon and will let the market decide it’s value. Thank you.

[nathanbs]

Pretending that the cracks that are in your own photos don’t exist or do not warrant restoration doesn’t make it so. No one is going to paint this ducktail and put it on possibly a $450-800k car and leave those cracks.

[nathanbs]

Sorry but based on your own response and verbiage this seems to be a typical scenario that I’ve encountered time and time again with porsches and porsche parts. People want to cash in on the often times hugely appreciated parts or cars without being realistic with the condition. For $400-800 those cracks aren’t significant. For $4000-8000 those cracks become very significant.