Please help with value: 73.5T

[Macroni]

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12397&highlight=1973.5+CIS

Sorry, I should have clarified better. It does appear I implied an extravagant premium.

Here is a thread that I felt was interesting.

[blau911]

Interesting read.

[73.5TinPA]

It was tight getting good angles, but this is a nice view.

The only way to shoot the front was by standing on threshold.

Passenger side cleared.

Drivers view.

Thank you for the continued dialect. Took a bunch more photos and will check back later this evening.

[Macroni]

I wouldn't kick it out of bed for $20,000. Wish I needed a car.

[73.5TinPA]

Porsche AG specified that costly, quality, maintenance tools be included with each vehicle. I believe that the Porsche family empathized directly with their clients/buyers- caring that an individual, independent owner be able to unsnap the tool fold and make basic adjustments roadside. It is really a foundational concept of the Porsche Company. One of the most exciting parts of these early 911's is that the owner was essentially welcomed into the Family. Many folks would agree that is what makes this era stand out.


Essential books: Owners Manual; Spec book; things included with a new vehicle. This car was originally sold by Don Burns Prestige Porsche-Audi Ltd. in Garden Grove, Calif. on May 10th, 1973. There were 4 owners in the 1st 5 years! The 4th owner overreved it and damaged a piston and valves. Then it entered my family in 1978, bought cheap 'cause it needed a rebuild. The color wasn't the most important thing considered- rather the clean chassis-body. After about 12 years, it was displaced by a gorgeous 930. I drove it home from Houston, Texas to York, PA. The first day I got to the Smokies. Slept in the drivers seat at a rest stop. I was so jazzed- it was a big go cart. When I got gas, I could just feel admiring eyes staring at her. It was embarrassing, but you just accept it will be that way. Early that second day, a 928 flew by at what must have been 120mph, at least. When I got home, ******** Porsche in Lancaster made me get new taillight lenses and a muffler. They gave me a price and my jaw about dropped off. I ordered the parts by phone and did all the work myself. This taught me that to bond with your Porsche, you must fix it yourself. Toolkit is essential- and Ferry and the Boys knew that. They cared.


Jim Schrager wrote an article this past year for Keith Martin's Sports Car Market magazine: Jim wrote that one of the indicators of unadulterated originality on an early 911 was this revited id plate in the drivers door jam. A plate unscathed and without overspray is considered an indicator of a clean car.
Does anybody know what the name and numbers mean?
edit: sorry this picture looks clear on my computer, don't know why it didn't transfer. It reads: Made in Western Germany Kunstharzlack 15-9-2

[ossiblue]

Geez, the more I see, the more I want that car--and the more I want to b**** slap those low-ballers that wanted to separate you from this beauty for $10K

[Macroni]

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25091

Here is a comp......

[73.5TinPA]

ossiblue,
it was my being out of touch with early car values. The first guy that saw it wanted to buy it, and made an offer of $10K, put his name and number and the price on paper. I never counteroffered or called him. Recently, I offered it to someone else, discussed the problems and offered it at $10K, again. He wanted it but didn't have the cash right away. Instead I sold my Outback (kid in college/tuition payment was due). It went quickly on Autotrader.com; so I didn't have to sell 911.
I am surprised at how values have risen so much. Posters comments in this thread (and post #21, above) have reminded me how much fun the car can be.
I am thinking about replacing the oil return tubes, and clean the gas tank- try to get it started. I can do these things myself. This will be my next step. I don't need the money right now.
This afternoon I worked on the car for many hours, digging it out and cleaning up. What I kept thinking was that the camraderie of people here made it fun- you all encouraged me. By myself I couldn't get started- but this community of people made it fun.
So, thanks everyone! I'd like to keep sharing progress.

[karlusmagnus]

Originally Posted by 73.5TinPA

Does anybody know what the name and numbers mean?
edit: sorry this picture looks clear on my computer, don't know why it didn't transfer. It reads: Made in Western Germany Kunstharzlack 15-9-2

from an early ess post of Karim,
" Kunstharzlack = kunst/artifical, harz/enamel-resin, lack/paint or varnish.
I think, factory production for all early911s was Zuffenhausen, a town next to Stuttgart, Germany.For Karmann bodies, it was a (subcontracting) factory at Osnabrueck, further north of Stuttgart. Chassis number indicates if its a Karmann body. check out this great period movies about paint and assembly in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, 1972:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=leis5zazeXY "

Here is link to http://www.elferhelfer.com/farben.htm which has info about your paint.
The color code is 415 ... and that is what your color code is referring to ... the 15 for the color, sometimes there was a letter indicating the paint manufacturer ... Lesonal (who did custom colors i believe for Porsche at the time and used 5digit codes, Glasurit used 4 digit paint codes) or someone else. I have also seen reference to 1973 Sepia Brown with the paint code such as 5410/5454 Sepia Brown depending upon whether it was targa or coupe - targe ends in 10.
More codes here ... http://members.rennlist.com/tweedt/glasurit.htm
The last 2 numbers reference the location where the car was painted, in this case "9" which would be porsche and 2 is paint manufacturer .. in your Glasurit perhaps from this post of Warren's http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=131864&highlight=paint+ code

Anyway, there are 2 different codes involved, a color code and a paint code, but they refer to the same thing. Confusing and yet somewhat logical in a teutonic fashion.
All of the info is here on pelican and on early911sregistry.org
The search bar is your friend.

Good on you for rekindling your affair with the car, and getting her going again.
Insurance w/Haggerty or someone like that is cheap, in PA you can register as antique and no more inspections etc.
Life is charmed.
Hershey has a swap meet at end of April, so you could meet up with enthusiasts there or local to you as there are plenty of folks in Philly area/south jersey.
If you feel like heading to TN to tail of the dragon and deal's gap early April, we are heading down from NY and BOS -> see here http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?p=190611#post190611
You are welcome to come along.
The name is Karl and hope to meet up some time.

[ibmiked]

Originally Posted by Macroni

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25091

Here is a comp......

True, but that car is already well running, has what could be considered a more desirable color, lower mileage, and has been for sale for quite some time at the asking price. I'd add back in some money for the original paint on this car, but only if the painted door and hood don't stand out like a sore thumb. Otherwise, what's the point?

Just my $.02

[73.5TinPA]

Being objective in comparing to the yellow car: my car has no overspray; has the factory gold stickers on the engine bay sill, still; the original braided copper ignition wires; has the chrome (stainless) wheel arches; AC; body colored wheel crests; and, generally, original patina and a less 'tired' look.

The Sepia Brown is a more timeless color that was a favorite of Ferry Porsche, undoubtedly a Teutonically understated preference.

karlusmagnus: The wealth of information that you provided in post #29, above, is greatly appreciated and will provide much reading enjoyment. Many Thanks!

[ossiblue]

Glad you're back in the fold! As you can see, there are a lot of true early car enthusiasts here that vicariously enjoy your "plight." It appears that you no longer really care about establishing a value but rather care about the preservation and rehabilitation of a very original and documented long hood--welcome back to the asylum. I, for one, am looking forward to the eventual pictures of your car on the road and that tell-tale grin on your face. Keep us updated on your progress.

[Sunroof]

As an owner of a 1973.5T in Sepia I wanted to chime in on this discussion. First, my advice is to hold on to it for now if you can. If you take a look at Excellence Magazine (usually May issue) Anderson does his market value update on all the longhoods. He evaluates to 1973, but does not include a 1973.5T model! I asked him about this because the last in line of the longhood models was also a departure for Porsche as it moved to a more modern car with the 74 model. The 73.5T was the first with CIS and had innovative features not on earlier models. Nevertheless, the last evaluation (May 2008) showed the longhoods were still hot then and escalated in price almost three times in value then only a few years earlier. A decent 1973.5T is valued between 25K and 35K depending of course on condition. Some have gone as high as 45K - 50K, but those are exceptions.

For a Porschephile, originality is everything so KEEP IT ORIGINAL! As for the Sepia Brown and those who conclude the color is a looser, so be it for them; however, its an original color amongst the electric blues, lemon yellows, oranges and viper greens of its day. Conservative would be more like it. Sepia was very popular back then and Dr. Porsche's favorite color. His 928 was Sepia and he was very proud of it. I find it grows on you and I enjoy the color.

As we come out of this recession, I am certain the 73.5T will have held its value and maybe might even gain abit. Like anything, supply and demand dictates where the market is going and the supply is not limitless! My car was restored several years ago and I know what its value is. And I also know that many our out there willing to pay for ownership of a decent longhood. If that is an original toolkit your showing, do you know what the value is? Hundreds of dollars! Amazing.................

If you intend on selling it, be wise and research the market (Porsche Panorama, Rennslist, Excellence Magazine and even PCA valuation certification). You will be pleased with what you find.

You sir have a fine example of a very collectible Porsche!

Bob

[blau911]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

. Sepia was very popular back then and Dr. Porsche's favorite color. His 928 was Sepia and he was very proud of it. I find it grows on you and I enjoy the color.

Bob,
The only thing I would correct is the fact that brown was not Dr. Porsche favorite color. It was green. In fact, this is why every model Porsche ever produced was also offered in a green color.

[Sunroof]

Many years ago when Brumos had a dealership in Atlanta one of the senior salesman who came up through the ranks with 356s and longhoods remarked to me that a color called "Sepia" was Dr. Porsche's favorite color. I had my 1974 dark brown 911 then and color came up in our conversation. At the time it was not very important to me, but I never forgot that. His source? Who know's.

So its one man's opinion; however, Dr. Porsche's 928 was Sepia Brown and that was the car he enjoyed the most.

Many on these boards take a hard opinion on the "Sepia" color. For porschephiles and collectors original colors are critical and add value to the vehicle. For me, when I bought the 73.5T color was a no brainer! In the early to mid 70's everything on four wheels was painted a vibrant strong color. My 1971 Fiat 850 was lime green and blended well in that rainbow of cars back then.

So who would have bought a "Sepia Brown" 911? It is after all not a vibrant color, but certainly a conservative color for its day. Considering the "T" stands for "Touring", I would imagine it was bought by someone somewhat conservative who drove the car rather gently. It was not a "see me" color. Maybe thats a good thing!

Hats off to Sepia lovers of the world

Bob
1973.5T in Sepia of course