Most desirable early 911's

[willcall]

Hi all, this may have been asked a million times already but thought I would ask as well.
Which early 911's, 912's seem to be the most desirable?
I ask this as I am looking into purchasing one to restore & would like to pick a model/year/etc. that has most return in the future if it had to be sold.
IE, I don't want to buy a cheaper car spend the same $ on the resto & have it worth half that of a car that would have only cost a few more $ at the outset.

I like the C3's & the 930 Turbos but am a big fan of the long hoods.

Any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Will

[SilberUrS6]

It so depends on the condition of the car before restoration. The guy with the '64 has not much more than a rusty shell and an engine case. He'll drop $100k on resto and on sale, make all that back, and maybe that much again.

A 1972T that doesn't require much work at all will cost nearly what you might get out of it on resale. How much you're willing to put in of your own time and effort will really determine the price differential. Or if the longhood fad fades, you might eat a very large chunk of change.

But "what is the best year" depends on so many other factors as to be the same kind of question as "what's the best kind of girlfriend?"

[saxen]

c3's?

most you will not see a huge return if you spend the correct amount of money restoring them.

rare models
73 rs
74 rsr
67 soft window targa
64/65 911's
any early longhood "s" model

[willcall]

Thanks guys. And all well said. That is along the lines of what I was thinking regarding resto costs. It seems as though "barn finds" can be over priced with people prepaired to pay more for a good project rather than one already done.

So I should look for a 's' model longhood.

My personal preference would be:
S longhood
76-77 Carrera 3.0 Turbo
76-77 Carrera 3.0
74-75 Carrera 2.7
Any RS or RSR but other than finding one where the owner doesn't realise what they have, they are pretty much out of my price bracket.

[COLB]

The market for these cars is so hot it is getting harder to find a sound project car at a reasonable enough price to get a profit out of a restoration -- which is generally a losing financial proposition no matter what make/model you are talking about.

The guys who really profit from restorations are shops that get paid by the owners to do the work.

To turn a profit on a DIY your best bet is not to look for a specific year/model, but find a project at a discount -- that is within your skills. That is a tough proposition.

[Matt Monson]

It would help to know how much you have to spend and how much restoration work you actually intend to do. Also of that restoration work how much will you personally do versus job out.

I can name $50k cars that will hold their value. I can also name $20k cars that will hold their value.
You sound conflicted on whether you want a driver that needs little bits and pieces or if you want an actual restoration project. Two very different things.

[techweenie]

The most desirable? The one you can actually own.

There are fans of every configuration of 911 and 912 from '73 and prior (later cars, too, of course). So find any platform you can that can be made to deliver what you want. You didn't say what that is: daily driver, weekend cruiser, track toy... many ways to enjoy a Porsche.

But anyone who has been around the block will tell you that if you buy a restored car, you are saving money and time. And anyone who has been around the hobby will tell you nearly everyone ignores that advice initially. We all tend to think we can find the one car that will be inexpensive to restore and we will stay under the edge of the 'value envelope.' Trust me, it takes a couple of decades of experience (or phenomenal luck) to do that.

At the moment, the 'rising tide' of value has protected all of us in our investments. Even if those investments have been made only for our own pleasure, with no idea of selling.

Five years from now, who knows?

Best result will be to ask about a specific car and get some knowledgeable input based on what you want it for between purchase and sale dates.

[CountD]

Originally Posted by techweenie

The most desirable? The one you can actually own.


But anyone who has been around the block will tell you that if you buy a restored car, you are saving money and time. And anyone who has been around the hobby will tell you nearly everyone ignores that advice initially. We all tend to think we can find the one car that will be inexpensive to restore and we will stay under the edge of the 'value envelope.' Trust me, it takes a couple of decades of experience (or phenomenal luck) to do that.

Words of wisdom right here. Another quote for the book. Yes, decades of experience and specialized knowledge as in anything. Thanks again for the input.

[willcall]

All good info here.
I would be looking at a weekend driver.
I have the C3 as a daily driver.

From past experience I am aware of the fact that 'bought not built' is the financially smart & time saving way to go.

It's some what of a hypothetical question from where I stand.
I see many early 911's & 912's for sale from all years and most of them say rare this or rare that. To me it seems mostly like a sales pitch.

I guess what I am asking is what are the true "must buy if you could" models.

I'm thinking the longhood market will cool off in a few years as people look to other eras for a car that is not like everyone else's. In saying that there is a limited number of longhoods available & the availability of them will only decrease as populations increase (supply & demand).

My personal opinion is that the 993 is the next collector.

[techweenie]

That's easy for me to rank in order of my preference:

73 RSR
73 RS
72/73 S
70/71 S
72/73 E
70/71 E
69 S
69 E
67/68 S
68 L
66
72/73 T
70/71 T
67-68 T
69 T

Your mileage may vary.

[Matt Monson]

I'm going to give a less broad answer and say SWB. I think the original configuration of the 901 chassis is going to be the most desirable in the end game. And if you've never driven one, you have no idea what you are missing.

Valuewise, an S of a certain year will always be more valueable than a T of the same year. And even though oddball years like '72 tend to be more valuable we aren't likely to see '72 T's more valuable than say a '70 S.

I picked up a '67 912 because I saw swb longnoses start to move out of my income bracket. It's a driving restorod. I don't care if it ever makes me any money or even if I break even. I just love the car. I also love my '86 Carrera and my '73 2.0l 914. They each have their place.

[wgwollet]

Techwinnie is dead on correct.

[rsnodgrass]

Well...this isn't probably what the original poster wanted, but since others have posted their ordered dream list:

73 RSR
74 RSR
67 911R
73 RS Homologation
74 IROC RSR
74 3.0 RS
70-72 911ST
73 RS Lightweight
911 S/T
76 Carrera 2.7 MFI
73 RS Touring
75 930 Turbo 3.0
74-75 Carrera 2.7 MFI
76-77 930 Turbo 3.0 (Euro preferred, US 2nd choice)
64-68 SWB
72-73 S
69 S
78-79 930 3.3
...and on from there...

[willcall]

Keep the lists coming.

[ficke]

1965-1989 911's are the new "classic Porsche" replacing the 356. Like the 356 the difference between the different models, S>Normal>T> SC etc. will be less important as time goes by and they all become THE classic Porsche. So I see the S having a slower rise from here on out than the T for instance of the same shape and year. Now the 911R, 73 Carrera will always hold a very high place compared to the other 911's just like the Carrera 356 hold a huge desirability advantage over its push rod brethren.
As for the post 89 "911's" 964,993 etc. are pretty much still viewed as used cars and their value is based on pricing of used cars.

[mattC2993]

Originally Posted by techweenie

...But anyone who has been around the block will tell you that if you buy a restored car, you are saving money and time.....

or it could end up being a very very expensive restoration project if it isn't exactly what you want or thought it was

[r-mm]

I have far less experience than a lot of the commenters here but but can't help notice what a good value all the pre 964 turbos seem to be. I regularly see turbo LOOK cars selling for close to what many actual turbo cars sell for. I also see NA G50's selling in the high 30's low 40's which seems to buy an honest if not #1 turbo. Right now the market is bonkers for low mile / original owner cars, which doesn't interest me much personally. For someone looking for a great looking car to own and drive, with sterling credentials and high intrinsic value, seems hard to beat the turbos. I'd be surprised if they don't have as much or more appreciation potential than their contemporaries. Naturally, presuming you actually want to put miles on this vehicle, you have to be sure you want a turbo as opposed to an NA driving experience....

[Sunroof]

My favorite............................the 1973.5T in Sepia Brown of course. First CIS, last longhood of the line, good refinements, BUT best of all, the best around town car. Not the speed of the "S" or the "E", but on balance, a great car.

I bought this after the previous owner dropped 34K into total restoration. I bought it for a bit over 9K over a decade ago. With the price of longhoods ever rising, I have to say this was the wisest buy I ever made in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was at the right place at the right time.

Bob

[Sunroof]

The 1973.5T 911 in original Sepia Brown with "S" trim option, dealer installed BEHR AC, sunroof, Fuch wheels, sway bars, tinted windows, 5-speed and standard "bench seats". A joy to drive.

[65rsr]

Originally Posted by rsnodgrass

73 RSR
74 RSR
67 911R
73 RS Homologation
74 IROC RSR
74 3.0 RS
70-72 911ST
73 RS Lightweight
911 S/T
76 Carrera 2.7 MFI
73 RS Touring
75 930 Turbo 3.0
74-75 Carrera 2.7 MFI
76-77 930 Turbo 3.0 (Euro preferred, US 2nd choice)
64-68 SWB
72-73 S
69 S
78-79 930 3.3
...and on from there...

Anything long hood with a serial number, even sportos. In the near future - anything air-cooled.

Anything with Factory racing history or any customer cars with "sport purposes" options.

www.early911sregistry.org