What¡¯s a Turbo Carrera Worth?

[turboswede]

I inherited a 1977 911 Turbo about a year ago, it has been in my family for the past 20 years and was my dad¡¯s pride and Joy. While I like the car I can¡¯t afford a ¡°Garage Queen¡± i.e. a car that is only driven 1,000 miles per year. I am seriously considering selling it or trading it for a more modern Porsche like a 2002-2004 Boxster S or 993. I have been on the Heming¡¯s & NADA and the values listed range from $20K to $40K. I was hoping that the Pelican community may have some valuation advice.

Exterior:
The car is a 1977 Guards Red European spec 911 Turbo Carrera (No A/C) that my dad bought in 1987 in Gothenburg (Sweden) and had shipped to the U.S. in 1994. The car had 47,000 km (¡Ö31k miles) originally and now has 67,000 km (¡Ö45k miles). As a 1977 the car is emissions exempt for WA State (King County) but it did pass its last emissions test back in 2001. The car has never been in a major accident but has had a respray, about an 8 out of 10 job, the paint is thick and glossy and there is no overspray but the new paint (well 1985 or so) has begun to crack in the engine compartment.

Interior:
The interior is black full leather with the original sport seats and I have an additional pair of black leather standard seats from a 77 911S (better for my 6¡¯5¡± 275 lb frame). I am missing the original Carrera style steering wheel but I have the stock 4 spoke wheel from a 77¡¯ 911S and a nice Momo Monte Carlo with Porsche hub & horn button. The car has a nice cassette receiver (Alpine) with a revolving face, a 6 disk CD changer and an Alpine amplifier.

Mechanical:
The car has good Yokahama AVS tires all around on 16¡± Fuchs alloy wheels. The turbo was replaced back in 1995 and a 1.0 bar spring was added to the waste-gate. The exhaust has been replaced with a BB stainless steel system. The Turbo has Carrera tensioners, and an upgraded oil cooler with all new SS lines. The brakes have been upgraded with Brembo cross-drilled rotors.

On the down side, the main seal has a slight leak and the transmission sometimes grinds on a quick 1-2 up shift. The clutch is fair but can be coaxed into slipping at full throttle start ups on dry pavement, oil from the main seal no doubt. The left rear brake caliper has a slight leak (I check the brake fluid weekly but have not needed to add fluid). But I know that the rear caliper for the 77¡¯ is cheap (relatively) so I will probably replace it before I show the car.

Literature:
I have a 4¡± thick book of receipts, original owner¡¯s manual (Swedish) and a reprint in English, 1977 brochure in Swedish & English. I also have the 3 volume set of Porsche Service Manuals and the Bentley Guide for the 911SC.

I think I would ask around $25k in a private sale, does that sound about right? If there are any dealers out there I would like to know what it would be worth in trade before I get on a dealer¡¯s lot.

Thanks,

Anders

[356racing]

3L turbos are still unloved, and one that has been modded and has needs even more so. Some day these will be good collectors because of their low production numbers but I would be surprised if you got 20K like it sits today. Just my 2 cents worth!

[Jay H]

Some of the negatives that are detracting some value on this Turbo are:

-The repaint that seems to have no documentation as to why it was done.
-The need for a fresh clutch.
-Somewhat major oil leak that may be affecting driveability.
-European model.

Granted, this is an older car, but the miles are relatively low and even for this Turbo's age, the paint still could be original and in decent shape. A solid reason (such as vandalism) and documentation on why the car was repainted would help here.

The only collectible early Turbos ('76 & '77) will be the ones that are completely original (paint, interior, mechanicals), have low mileage and a solid/watertight history. 356racing is right in that the 3.0 turbo's are the least desireable of the Turbo's due to the vast improvements made to the Turbo in 1978 and 1979. However, I still think there probably is a slight nitch market for these early Turbos if they are in exceptional condition suitable for collections/concours/limited driving.

European cars used to bring 10% to 20% less than equivalent US models. However, all of these cars are so old that condition is really the main driver in pricing. If the car was imported with sub standard methods (i.e. shoddy workmanship done to make the car meet EPA/DOT laws), the Euro model aspect of this car may affect it's value.

This car may sell at $14,000 to $15,000 for a quick sale and as 356racing mentions, $20k at a top end of the range. Just a guess... Definitely start on the high end with your pricing if you do want to sell it. See if there are any bites. If not, inch your price down bit by bit.

Good Luck!

Jay

[turboswede]

I don’t see any reason to be rude, I am well aware of the maligned status of the 3.0 liter Turbo Carreras but I think one would be hard pressed to find a 77’ 911S with 45,000 miles for $14,000. The DOT/EPA certification work was done by a local VW/Porsche/Audi dealership when we immigrated to the united states in the 80’s and I still have all the documentation. I understand that there are a lot of “grey market” cars over here but I would think that would be more of an issue with the cars brought over when the Turbo was not imported to the United States.

A market value of under $20,000 would convince me to keep the car (perhaps in storage) rather than sell it to someone who would not appreciate it’s speed, craftsmanship and limited edition status.

Sorry if I am taking your comments personally, but the Turbo was my dad’s and has a significant sentimental value. I guess if anything this posting has convinced me not to sell the car after all.

[Jay H]

Please don't take these comments personally. We're just trying to help you determine a value for your dad's car. We don't want to lie to you by telling you to expect $30k for your car when it may only bring $20k.

Telling you false information and lieing to you would only hinder you in making a good decision. My purpose was to inform you of what you may encounter as questions and concerns from buyers should you put the car up for sale. I've looked at countless cars during my brief experience with Porsche during my life and have been directly involved with purchasing 6 911's and selling one over the years. I've been on both sides of the fence.

Again, don't take this information personally or as us being rude. Text on the internet is very flat and can be taken the wrong way very quickly. We're here to help, not flame you.

If you do feel your Turbo is worth $25k or more (we only know a tiny bit about this car, you know the full story and know the car in person), then put it up for sale at that price. You can always come down in price. I could be completely all wet on my analysis above.

I wish you the best with whatever you decide on your dad's Turbo!

Best Regards,

Jay

[jr964]

I think 25k would be a lot of money for that car as described. I have seen nicer ZZZ 930's go for less money. One can get an 86' or 87' ROW 930 for mid 20's.

If you like it keep it and drive it. If you don't drive it then you need to sell it because sitting won't help its value. Hope this helps.

[onlycafe]

turbo, whether you decide to keep or sell your dad's car,and if it was me i would certainly keep it, it would be a very good idea to not launch it like a fuel dragster,


"On the down side, the main seal has a slight leak and the transmission sometimes grinds on a quick 1-2 up shift. The clutch is fair but can be coaxed into slipping at full throttle start ups on dry pavement."

these cars are not meant for those kinds of starts, unless you want to pay for new clutches and transmissions on a more regular basis. won't do the axle shafts much good either.
the real fun is to be had from a good rolling start as the boost kicks in. much more drama, much less breakage.
enjoy the car and think about your dad whenever you get in to drive it. i'm sure he'll be looking down on you and smiling.
good luck with it.
david

[jkarolyi]

I'll concur with the lower values being quoted here based on my market experience, but please don't take them as an insult. That car is really gorgeous! Nobody would fault you for keeping it, but please don't store it as these cars really deteriorate quickly if not driven regularly.

[turboswede]

Sorry Jay H, I know text on the net can be flat so one can read something into a statement that just isn’t there. I agree with you guys in general, you don’t see 930’s under 20K (at least I don’t) but those have fewer mechanical issues than my 930 does. Most of them wouldn’t be noticeable except in a professional PPI, so for top money I realize I would need to fix the brake caliper and replace the clutch (and seal while I am there).

At $20K I think it’s better to just keep the car and drive it whenever the sun comes out up here. Eventually I will probably bring the exhaust back to stock as the BB system tends to wake up the neighborhood when I start the car on Sunday mornings. The rolling start is the way to go and then the car is perfect.

[Jay H]

Anders,

Good to hear all is well and no offense was taken.

I think if you got this car repaired and fixed every mechanical issue, detailed the car to a high standard (wash, wax, dress the exterior rubber trim & tires, vacuumed it very well and dressed the interior materials), insured that it would pass emissions (many states still have emission requirements for a '77), got it's service up to date (if need be) and got it to drive exceptionally well for it's age, you may be able to get to your price at $25k (or real close).

I'll have to admit, while the '76 and '77 Turbos are not as desireable as the later models, nice early (pre 80'), low mileage, unmolested Turbos are relatively rare. If you can get your dad's car looking great , driving perfectly and if you market it well with good pics and a well written ad, someone may pay the premium for a 'turn key' car like yours.

The positives are the very low miles, popular color combo (I personally love Guards Red over black since my first 911 was that color combo), long time family history and lots of records. Some folks will view the brake upgrade as a positive as well since the Turbo Carreras were underbraked from the factory.

I'll agree she's a pretty car and I've always liked the Turbo Carreras. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

Regards,

Jay

'90 964 & '84 3.2

[anthony]

While I like the car I can¡¯t afford a ¡°Garage Queen¡± i.e. a car that is only driven 1,000 miles per year. I am seriously considering selling it or trading it for a more modern Porsche like a 2002-2004 Boxster S or 993.

Why can't you afford a garage queen? If you buy a Boxster now it will depreciate significantly over the years.

Get collector car insurance for your garage queen. That will keep the yearly costs way down.