1970 911 S - Cross Roads

[gedanic]

Four years ago I picked up a 1970 911 S sunroof coupe. It was ugly with some updating the needed to be un-done. It is powered by a 1971 911 T engine. I stripped it down to near nothing removing all the lights, chrome, glass, sunroof, and even the window frames. I had the 6 layers of paint stripped off and had it painted Albert Blue. I also replaced all the seals, window felt, and headliner while I had it apart. I found no major rust issues anywhere. The minor areas of rust were repaired. While the engine starts and runs well, it drips oil, has a manifold leak, and is a bit smelly. The interior had been updated with mid-70's seats and panels and is in fair to poor conditions. The original radio only gets a couple stations.

With the car now reassembled and very drivable, I am at a crossroads. Do I sell it partially restored or keep going? The challenge for me is really the engine, and money. To find a proper 911 S motor is simply out of my budget. To rebuild the existing 'T' engine is pricey and not sure it is worth it.

If i was to sell this car, what do you all think it is worth?

Looking for input and thoughts on where to go from here.

I attached a pic for reference.

[budge96]

Unforetunately what you have is basically a decent looking S shell that runs like poorly
maintained T..
The value often is of course matching numbers wether T or S the latter usually the higher
in value.
I would venture a guess in this market (poor) but still opportunists and investors lurking
that your looking at an overall value (particularly with yet to be restored interior) of minumum
10K ,maximum 12.5K ,varying ...depending on haste in which you wish (if at all) to liquidate.
Even with a matching series engine and trans the value will likely rise by the amount of expen
diture.
Decent 2.2S engines are going 10-12.5K...without it actually matching few tend to risk the
investment without .
Reason I feel i can speak to this is I have a near equal quandry ,yet I have an S motor and
no paint..similar deal,and it's difficult retreiving what little i have in it...
thanks Bert
ps where are you located?

[ossiblue]

My question to you is, what do you want to end up with? If you eventually want an early S, you already have a beautiful car with (in my opinion) a desireable sunroof option. You know the condition of the chassis as you restored it. Are you looking to swap dilemmas--sell this car with beautiful and solid body and get one with an S engine but needing lots of body repair?

I sense you feel you're getting to the point (if not already there) of being upsidedown on this car, especially if your goal was to have an S with proper engine. The car, as you describe it, runs and drives well. Depending on what you really want, I would say to continue with the interior restoration, and start looking for an S core/case from which to start your eventual rebuild. The money you'd get from your car now would not go too far in purchasing a numbers matching S in decent shape.

[ArcticOne]

Stephen

Car looks great and as someone looking to buy I would agree with the crossroads decision. I personally do not want someone else to fully restore their car prior to sale, but others do. Either way there will be a market for the car, but who knows which way has the better market.

Sounds like you do not have the original engine, which will put a dent in to potential top end selling price.

Some questions for you to answer that will help you make a decision and us provide you with opinions.

Is the goal to restore and sell?

Is the goal to restore and keep? If so, why not keep looking for the right engine. It will eventually happen, but might be a year or so down the road.

If you keep it, do you want a queen or a driver?

If you keep it, do you want an S or a T or does it matter?

Some things to think of.

jb

jb

[gedanic]

Thanks for all of your input. To answer a couple questions. First, I live in Long Beach, CA.

If I keep the car, I am looking to restore to a solid , near original driver and not a queen. I love this car and want to drive it more often but struggle with engine issues that I have , that it is not clean burning, and it drips.

If I keep going, it is with the goal of keeping it, not selling it.

So to answer JB's question specifically, I am fine with a T, and am even considering a newer motor (3.0) to get to that solid driver I am seeking.

For those who did not give an opinion on the value as is, that would help me too.


Thanks again!

[914efi]

Why not pull the engine, take off intake and exhaust, clean it up and fix the leaks? A fairly straightforward effort if there are no major problems, but as we all know it could lead down a rocky path. A good diagnosis of where the leaks are originating would be a good thing to know before finalizing the decision.

I have no clue on value, but a nice solid car that you like and are familiar with is not easy to replace. In the current and maybe upcoming market you might find a car that has what you want at a very attractive price.

[Macroni]

Great looking car.

I agree with Bert's assessment of value $10k to $12k for a quick sale.

Other math I would consider, an 2.2S motor will run you easily another $12,000 and a proper interior conservatively another $5000. This would put you at $29,000 [assuming you are only into it for 12,000] for a very desirable S sunroof coupe. You would not be upside down.

I would fix it w/ the S motor!

[techweenie]

I think up to $15K for quick sale is do-able. There are 'S' engines and cases available from time to time, though they will not be 'numbers matching.' Assuming Albert Blue was the original color and that the paint looks as good close up as it does in the pictures, you have a desirable car.

You might consider buying some time with the car by swapping the engine for one in better shape just for a year or two while you search out an S engine and proper interior. That way, you can enjoy it in the meantime.

[gedanic]

Originally Posted by techweenie

You might consider buying some time with the car by swapping the engine for one in better shape just for a year or two while you search out an S engine and proper interior. That way, you can enjoy it in the meantime.

I think this sounds like the right advise for me. I have taken 'bite size chunks' with the goal to enjoy the car along the way. I will likely take others advise by pulling the engine and seeing if the issues I have are more straight forward.

Thanks for all for your input. What a great way to get some solid advise.

[racer]

I was going to go the other way.. Find some RS door panels, Some recaro SRD style seat and locate a good, running 3.0L from an SC. Reliable motors. Similar hp to a 2.2S, but loads more useable torque. Seemingly available. Sell your 2.2T motor, midyear seats and questionable door panels (or save them to rebuild).. spend the next 10 years looking/locating/building a proper 2.2S MFI motor, Correct seats.. door panels et al, if an "original" 2.2 is what you really want.

I know many folks who would "love" an early S, but then they learn they aren't always so nice in traffic, fearful of getting hit/stolen/scratched etc. Therefore, driver comfort and useablilty come into play. My dad had a '55 speedster. Loved the car. Fantastic condition.. and it ended up sitting more than not, because he was worried about what could happen to it. It no longer was the car of his youth but became something "too expensive" to have any fun with.