Considering a 1971 911 - Advice appreciated

JAM1 · 11-01-2011, 02:24 PM

Hello all,

I'm looking for advice on a 1971 Porsche 911T targa I am considering buying. I've owned Porsches in the past, but never an earlier 911. I have been in communication with a dealer in Florida who is selling a widow's late husband's car (story checks out, and I've seen the court paperwork for ownership). It's been off the road for 6-7 years, but periodically run during that time.

I have already sent a mechanic from Porsche over inspect the car and take a few photos for me before I make a trip down to see it for myself. In his words, it's "a very solid car"; and looks to be from the photos he sent. He also said it needs to be "freshened up, including a tune up, flushing the fluids, and going through the brakes" from sitting for an extended period of time, but he says the car's in "good mechanical condition" as it sits. Apparently it was repainted red a number of years ago, but the paint code shows Burgundy Red was it's factory color. He says it's "a 10 footer" paint job", but I'm not overly concerned about the cosmetics so long as the car has good bones. He says the black interior is "in decent shape considering its age, but it needs to be cleaned up", and that "the door pockets need to be repaired, there is a crack in the dash, and the steering wheel is heavily worn at tdc". Again, cosmetics don't bother me as long as the car is solid. I've looked at several 67-73 cars, and most were rotten... so this one has me pretty interested.

The numbers found on the car are as follows:
VIN 9111111392
12/70 production date
2410-L on the paint code tag
Engine number 6116029
Transmission number 711 5177

I'd like to know what else should I look at when I see the car for myself, and I'd be interested to know about the options/features on the car. The last question is of course, what is it worth?

Thanks!

BK911 · BK911's Garage

Pay for a PPI. At a bare minimum get a leak down test done. That will determine the health of the engine. Get more pictures to verify condition and rust, especially around all suspension pick up points and rockers. But from the pics the car does look pretty good.

For pricing check out eBay completed listings.

If I were in the market I would probably pay around $10k+ depending on the PPI and leakdown results.

JAM1 · 01:28 PM

I called the Porsche mechanic who inspected the car, and he did perform a leak down test (I see it's in the inspection report they sent me, but I didn't know what the numbers represented). It shows: #1 -6% #2 -6% #3 -5% #4 -4% $5 -6% #6 -5%.

I've also checked the ebay sales history prices and compared this one to what others I have looked at were priced at. My confusion on pricing comes with the fact that the cars I have seen in the $10k range all had a great deal of rust (or weren't running). It also looks like prices can be all over the place for them and I don't know why! This place is asking close to $18k, but I don't know how far down they will go.

914agogo · 11-02-2011, 01:37 PM

those are good leakdown numbers, below 10% indicates a healthy engine, if the car has no significant rust, I'd say the price is not too off mark, based on the photos it looks like a decent driver.

JAM1 · 11-02-2011, 05:54 PM

Is there a link or a place on these forums that outlines what options were available in 1971? I'd like to know what things this one has that were optional. It seems like many are listed with at least a few things such as "S-trim", but I don't know the differences (aside from obvious ones like the wheels).

I'd also like to say, thanks for the input!

fryardds · fryardds's Garage

Here are a couple of threads. The first one has a nice description of the Apperance option group.

1970 911T Options

Here is one of several threads from the Early S reg. that details all the option codes for an early 911.

1970 Option Codes

jacktar · 11-02-2011, 07:17 PM

I've also been searching for an early (69-73) driver, over a couple of months now. I'd say $18K is a good deal for that car, though I haven't been looking at targas.

JAM1 · 11-03-2011, 08:23 PM

Thanks for posting the links for options fryardds. I know on my old 993, there was a tag with option codes under the hood. Is there anything similar on early cars, or do you have to be familiar with the options enough to tell from inspection what the car has?

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

$18,000 is reasonable for the car. Sounds like $5000 for the interior and $8000 for a proper repaint to build color. This would make it a $30,000 dollar car. At that point you would still be on the right side. These cars are not cheap and you will want to fix the squirrelly details. So plan for it.

Matt Monson · 11-04-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAM1

Thanks for posting the links for options fryardds. I know on my old 993, there was a tag with option codes under the hood. Is there anything similar on early cars, or do you have to be familiar with the options enough to tell from inspection what the car has?

On the old cars the only thing that will tell you that information is the original window sticker or a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from Porsche. For a COA it's not something you can just ring up and get in a day to verify things before you buy.

Realistically, with respect to options, if you restore the car you'll want to get a COA and try to make it correct, if that's your thing. Otherwise just look at it from a perspective of what does it have that makes it interesting to you as an owner and not so much as what is original.

JAM1 · 03-09-2012, 10:04 AM

Update: I ended up finding a 1970 coupe closer to home and bought that instead.

I did want to mention that I was looking on ebay lastnight (still like to look!) and I see the dealer has this '71 listed as no reserve (it's bid up to $15k) incase anyone else was interested in it.