'76 with a 3.2

[hookem horns]

I have been looking to buy my first 911 for some time and mainly focusing on 1978-89 models. Came across a '76 that has been upgraded with a rebuilt 3.2 but have no idea what it is worth compared to other mid-years with the 2.7. Looked this weekend and it seems to be a well sorted driver quality car with a respray in close to the original color. Owner is currently asking $15.7k.

[spuggy]

That's a modified car. Middies have most of the advantages of the later cars, and weigh less than SC's -even if you add the SC flares later. The only panel that might not be galvanised on a '76 is the roof, and even late production '76 MY have that. You might be missing boosted brakes on a '76.

If you're looking for a driver to keep and enjoy, it could be a deal - depending on how well-sorted it actually is (does the oil temperature read accurately? the 3.2 sender is not matched to the '76 gauge - that might be an indicator as how well/thoroughly the rest of the mating up was done). If you intend to drive it hard, you will probably eventually want later brakes, upgraded torsions, maybe SC flares and wider wheels/rubber. Which are all additional modifications.

As for selling it afterwards, well, you can rule out the purist section of the market... You start to get into matching a buyer's ideas of "good upgrades" with yours/what's been already done to the car. Which can be done, but it's potentially a lot harder than selling a stock car.

Although the price doesn't reflect the cost of rebuilding/installing that motor correctly, it does seem a little high - you should be able to get a good 3.2 for that money, which came from the factory with most of your potential upgrades (or at least partially there), and is entirely stock.

All of which might be irrelevant if you never sell it. But circumstances/intentions can change.

[kinein]

well 76 isnt exempt from smog i believe so make sure it can pass smog. but i would buy a real 3.2 which would be in the mid 84 up plus you get all the better equipment that 76 didnt have. real a/c vents, good brakes etc..... for less you can get a 84 and up and for about the same money

[hookem horns]

Good points by all and confirm what I thought. Seems rather high compared to good SC or fair Carrera. Need to decide if there is a lower price that makes this middie interesting compared to other options. Lots of work already done on the car by a reputable shop which may pay off in the long run. I'm looking for a driver so reliabilty is probably more important than originality.

Smog not tested where I'm at and it looked like a bypass or premuffler into a stock type 1 in, 1 out.

[sm70911]

I think the narrow bodied cars look great and if you couple them with a 3.0 or 3.2 motor they can be terrific hotrods. Agreed on the brakes but thats a dooable fix. What Spuggy points out, the quality of the build relative to the control and monitoring systems of the car will tell you how to eveluate the build. Another thing to consider are 15x7 or even 8" Fuchs on rear of the car would be ideal.
Is the car in OG paint, and rust free ? If you pass on the car please PM me the details I would be interested to hear more.

[Matt Monson]

An asking price is just that, what they are asking for it. Assume that you can get the car for less. I would start around 20% off asking price. When you make the offer, be standing in front of the guy with the cash in your pocket. Cash talks.

To me the car is right up my alley. I love the mid-year bodies and you get the reliability and driveability of a Carrera. Smog shouldn't be an issue if the swap was done right with the ECU. If the car is on carbs or something weird then it could pose a problem. But upgrading a car to a later smog design is generally an emissions improvement, not a ding. And obviously if you are looking at this car, originality isn't your top desire.

Reselling a car like this has never been and likely never will be a problem. It's not like a '76 911 with a '72 engine in it running on Zenith carbs. It's an updated hot rod sleeper. There's a bunch of us who will always be interested in a car like that. We're different than the white glove crowd and it's just a different strokes for different folks thing. One isn't better than the other.

[teleski42]

The mid year cars with the later engine is a great platform for a driver to enjoy. I have a '75 Targa with an '85 3.2, upgraded brakes and suspension. I paid in that range for a clean example. Buy it, drive and enjoy it.

[carlosR]

I'm in with these guys if it's done right and drives like I think it should, read bat out of hell, get it. Good luck.

[healeykit]

I'm a hot rod guy so I'll admit my bias right up front but if the motor install is well done the money isn't too far off. The purists won't ever want it but for mid-year cars I think it will be a long time before they follow the long-hood value trend. and even well done early hot rods can bring strong money.

If it pushed the right buttons and is good car, well done the price is close enough imo.

[equality72521]

For that money you could find a decent 1984+

[hookem horns]

I agree and will probably hold off for now at the price, which the owner is holding pretty firm for now. He has had a lot of work done in the past year and hope he finds the right buyer. I thought the transmission was a little rough even for a 915 but otherwise great and well done, even had working AC. Here's the link if anyone is interested.
1976 Porsche 911S Targa