'72T, opinions on best approach to sell it...

[Roger 911]

I think the time may have come for me to part with my '72T. I'd like some suggestions on whether I should sell it as is, or fix/change a few things. I set the car up to be a track toy. I won't bother to list everything, but I would say it's pretty much the usual mods, stiffer torsions & sways, bushings, turbo tie rods, Bilsteins, SC front calipers, etc. The engine and tranny are the original ones for the car. The tranny was rebuilt a few years ago. The engine now has E cams with Webers (I still have the MFI). I also installed a front fender mounted oil cooler. The interior has racing seats, harnesses, etc. The exterior recieved an entire respray (Guards Red) in late 2009.

I've owned the car since '98. It had about 98K on it when I got it. The odometer quit working in '99 and I never got it fixed. THe car is stored all winter and harly driven during the summer (maybe 2k yr, if that). I bought it originally with the intent of doing DEs for a few years, then move into PCA club racing or vintage racing. A combination of overall economic conditions and personal events prevented me from ever moving beyond the occaisional DE (usually 2-3 per year). It's a really nice car, but not a show car (I have no interest in show cars). The motor runs great, with good compression all around, no smoking, and does not use excessive oil (even at the track!). However, it does seep a little. It has always seeped since I've owned it. It wasn't hurting anything, never got worse, so I never bothered to fix these things. However, a buyer, especially someone not that familiar with air cooled cars, could easily be turned off by this.

I don't have to sell it, but I've decided to "retire" it from DEs. I'm getting into karting with my son, so that will satiate my "need for speed". I just don't think it makes a lot of sense to have this car sitting in my garage if I'm not going to use it.

Here are some of the options I'm considering;

1) Sell it as is. It looks good, runs good, and handles and brakes great. If someone wanted to take it straight to the track, it's ready to go. It's also a lot of fun on the street, assuming your streets have more curves and less traffic than mine!

2) Revert as much as possible back to stock. Off course, this would take time and money. The MFI worked when I took it off back in 2004, but I may need to get it looked at. I could soften up the suspension and put the stock (non-sport) seats back in. This has no appeal to me personally, but I know there are some who would prefer this.

3) Leave it as is, but pull the motor and fix any leaks. I can do this myself, so it's not a cost issue, just time.

I am probably leaning towards "3". I appreciate any thoughts/opinions.

Thanks.
Roger

[peon77]

If I were the seller I would switch the seats, and the wheels back to original. Then sell it.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by peon77

If I were the seller I would switch the seats, and the wheels back to original. Then sell it.

When I got it, it had 15x6 fake Fuchs. I wound up going with the 16" Boxster wheels because it offered a means to put a 225/50 tire on the back without modifying the fenders, no rubbing either (function over form). I definitely like the look of the Fuchs on early cars, but I couldn't stomach paying several thousand for a pair of "R" wheels.

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by peon77

If I were the seller I would switch the seats, and the wheels back to original. Then sell it.

X2 Put 15 x 6 Fuchs on the car, switch the seats and mirror back to stock and sell it.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

X2 Put 15 x 6 Fuchs on the car, switch the seats and mirror back to stock and sell it.

This is the kind of feedback that is helpful. I have a hard time seeing past my preferences. I did one DE with the stock seats (remember, non-sport seats) and immediately removed them afterwards. However, if your just tooling around the street, it probably wouldn't matter much.

How about harnesses versus seat belts? I have 5 point harnesses and a BK bar in the car now, but I left the stock seat belts in there as well. If I'm putting stock seats back in, I suppose I should remove the harnesses and bar. Again, I personally struggle with this on a couple levels. First, the stock belts provide 0 support for spirited driving. Second, I think the 5 point harnesses (when used properly) are going to provide an added measure of safety over 1972 seat belts (IMHO).

Thanks.

[vwsamba]

It would also help a LOT to remove all of that black updated trim and go back to silver. Basically put everything back to bone stock for the best chance of selling. That is of course if its still the original color. If not then just sell it as is and let the new owner restore it.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by vwsamba

It would also help a LOT to remove all of that black updated trim and go back to silver. Basically put everything back to bone stock for the best chance of selling. That is of course if its still the original color. If not then just sell it as is and let the new owner restore it.

No, it's not the original color (sepia brown). A previous owner had repainted it and blacked out the trim. I had it resprayed in red in late 2009. I know it's all a matter of taste, but I would not have bought the car back in '98 if it had been sepia brown. Again, I have no intention of trying sell this as an "all original vintage car", with a "come to Jesus" price. To borrow from the Barret Jackson world, this car probably represents somewhat of a "resto mod" car. Further to that point, if I wind up keeping it, I would seriously consider dropping a 3.2 into it. I think that would be a perfect compliment, blending the old with the new.

[Macroni]

I would try first to sell as is considering the amount of time and money this car would need to bring back to factory spec. All the original parts included, I would list it for $22,500. to $25,000.

Good Luck with your sale.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by Macroni

I would try first to sell as is considering the amount of time and money this car would need to bring back to factory spec. All the original parts included, I would list it for $22,500. to $25,000.

Good Luck with your sale.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. Thanks.