Realistic value range for '73 RS Clone?

tsp533 · tsp533's Garage

Hi all,

This is the first time I have posted in the forums - long time lurker, but I never had anything worthwhile to add, so I kept silent.

I have the opportunity to buy an RS Clone built from a '73 T. It is a quality build, with excellent details, but it is set up as a track car with 3.2 short stroke, 915 with limited slip, full cage and suspension upgrades. Does have correct 7" and 8" x 15"s and well executed RS interior and exterior. Overall, I'd rate this build as an 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10.

If I buy it, I'd have to "de-track" it to some extent; i.e. retrofitting heat exchangers and blower, modifying the cage, adding sport seats instead of racing seats and softening the suspension to a degree.

I'm very interested in this car, but I'm not sure what its worth. The build is a few years old, but only about 6,000 miles on the Supertec performance 3.2. A few years ago, this might have been a $35K to $40k car, but I don't have a good feel for today's prices.

Any help or opinions are truly appreciated!

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I've seen prices from $30K to $60K. So much depends on details and esthetics. Paint? Color change? Chassis integrity? Quality of the "RS" parts... for instance, are they real RS-profile rear flares? Were they butt-welded to the quarters?

Sorry, but it's much easier to ballpark an unmodified car. Modifications add value for some people and detract for others.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

It sounds like a great car that I believe you would be buying at the perfect time. While expensive to build these cars are cheap to buy and from the sound of it this car would be a $40,000 to $50,000 value. The supertec motor alone is fairly valuable...

tsp533 · tsp533's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by techweenie

I've seen prices from $30K to $60K. So much depends on details and esthetics. Paint? Color change? Chassis integrity? Quality of the "RS" parts... for instance, are they real RS-profile rear flares? Were they butt-welded to the quarters?

Sorry, but it's much easier to ballpark an unmodified car. Modifications add value for some people and detract for others.

I think you hit the nail on the head - some knowledgeable folks are telling me that creating a clone from a perfectly good 911 T is akin to sacrilege and that clones are dropping in value quicker than the Drachma. Others say that this car is a safe investment and bound to appreciate when the economy recovers - two diametrically opposed viewpoints.

I love the car and would not be buying it as an investment, but I'm of sufficiently modest means that I'd hate to have to absorb a big loss if I ever had to sell.

The car is well done, with all the proper bits, so I guess I'm going to have to go with my heart. Here's hoping that I never have to sell it so I won't have to worry about "gain or loss".

Thanks for your thoughts - greatly appreciated.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I've looked at a couple cars that could be built as RS-style "restomods" for $25K as a driver/weekend fun car and another $10K would make them "nice."

This is an area where consulting with someone who knows 911s inside and out will pay off. I believe there are several excellent shops in AZ...

Type911 · 09-09-2013, 12:52 PM

What are 73 RS clones / hot-rods trading for these days?

onboost · 09-10-2013, 07:58 AM

Type911 · 09-10-2013, 01:23 PM

Here are a few hundered pics for ya....

Anyone have any knowledge of recent sales of these cars? Trying to get an idea what 73 RS clones are trading for.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=144 0&bih=805&q=porsche+911+rs+clone&oq=porsche+911+rs +clone&gs_l=img.3..0i24l2.862.4765.0.5043.20.16.0. 4.4.0.176.1878.4j12.16.0....0...1ac.1.26.img..3.17 .1601.bU5L6qnANzg

Josh D · Josh D's Garage

Keep in mind, clones are exact replicas of a more desireable car, and the level of replication will determine it's value. The closer you get in detail to the car you are replicating, the more it would be worth, but never worth what the car that is being replicated.

What you describe is more of a hot rod/tribute car. It my be worth more or less than if it was original (usually less) depending on what level of modifications have been done. An example of this are cars built for the track. I've seen cars offered for sale on Pelican that have highly modified engines and suspensions, but with gutted interiors, offered for way more than a stock original would go for. Another would be something like what Magnus Walker builds. Not original, but one just sold at auction recently for crazy money.

boxster03 · 09-11-2013, 01:16 PM

a very nice 72 was listed on this site not long ago for $45k and it sold - I assume somewhere in the ball park. A lot of good bits to make it a pretty visual clone

trader220 · 09-12-2013, 08:02 AM

Here is a data point for you.

Excellence :: Porsches for Sale : 1977 73 RS replica for sale in Florida

ClassyCarrera · 09-16-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader220

Here is a data point for you.

Excellence :: Porsches for Sale : 1977 73 RS replica for sale in Florida

That car was so under valued. So much money invested. The car will go for 40's to 50's now.... He needed a fast sell.

alwaysflat6s · 09-18-2013, 10:10 AM

I think value has been answered as well as is currently possible. Again, it depends upon how well the build [and basic car are]. A clone built on a T - E - S will start right off with a different base value [tho it is getting so that an S based car will have everyone asking why the car was "ruined" and most potential buyers wanting to know what is required to make it 100% stock again. The engine is great for the application but devalues it compared to a proper MFI engine. It is all in the quality of the execution and in the details.

You are very concerned about future value. I promise you that it will NOT be an investment unless you happen to be lucky when you someday sell it. Of course, the same may end up true with anyone buying an long hood 911 today. The market is so hot..what will happen next? I don't see dealers buying tons of these now that the prices have escalated, so perhaps the big jump is it for the time being.

You need to rethink what you want. If you really want an RS replica.. find a well built example that doesn't have a lot of needs and that you LOVE. Then enjoy it and stop worrying about "investment". These are costly to buy, maintain, insure, and register. You can't even park it to avoid many of these costs because one of the worst things you can do is allow them to sit too much. If this particular car is done well, it will run circles around a stock RS. If this level of performance turns you on, you may find that a stock early 911 is nice but way too sedate with questionable handling when you push the limit.

If you haven't already, look around and see what else is out there. There is also a fair amount of info on Early S about this subject, tho they still have a bias towards stock. Mainly, don't sit on your hands. At some point the car you are considering will get sold. Will you regret that or be glad that you took more time to look around? Only you can answer that.

GL.. If you don't know the cars that well find a place or person who will do a thorough PPI. It is money well spent. At least with what you are considering you don't have to worry that it is a "fake".
JR