Back Dated a G50 Carrera

[Eisenheim]

I’ve seen a few late 80’s Carrera back dated to long hood RSR clones. If done correctly, will those cars value climb or are they money pits where the investor/builder will see his or her investment lost? I ask cause looking at the G50 Carrera market, those cars seem to be increasing every 6 months. The jump in price isn’t huge but over time, those incremental updates add up.

[914agogo]

you could buy one all done is always a better financial approach but to undertake a G50 to a longhood is not cost effective unless for your own pleasure but as an investment...no.
if you already had a car you bought sometime ago and were building it mostly yourself, you might get on top however much better to invest in original and documented cars by far.

[Eisenheim]

Do you think prices for a converted car will track along with the typical carrera or will they be less?

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Eisenheim

Do you think prices for a converted car will track along with the typical carrera or will they be less?

Less.

As time goes on, originality counts more and more. As a fun car that follows the current Porsche fad, I would certainly think about it. But it sure wouldn't be for resale, and I wouldn't want to try and sell it in a market that wasn't on fire for longhoods.

On a perfectly-done backdate, you might get more out of it than what a currently-pristine 3.2 might go for. But not enough to even come close to recouping costs. And it might be possible to find *the* right buyer down the road. But a smaller audience = lower price. A nice, stock 3.2 will win that battle every time.

[RacerX1166]

I'm firmly not taking a stance on this, rather adding another point of view. In watching other collector car markets, the custom builds on certain cars have become as expensive as their rare brethren. Just as an example, a custom 69 Camaro (built from a garden variety probably basket case car) can go for just as much as a rare original car (i.e. a Z27/RS). That dynamic didn't always exist; a first these 'restomods' were billed as a way to enjoy a rare looking ride without risking a museum piece. But no longer.

Based upon that trend, I wouldn't be surprised if a really well built back date was valued higher than the driver quality 3.2 it was built on.

[Eisenheim]

Interesting point. TRE Motor Sports in LA area did a car for a guy named Jack Olsen, and recently saw another car they did but instead of being based on a 72, this one was based on an 88 coupe. Changing from a Carrera G50 to a 964 couple I'm seeing the same trend. Lots of back dates performed on those cars. Singer being one of the more popular variants. A base good 964 C2 is selling in the mid 30's, but a Singer starts at 150k. What would a Singer get on the used market? Would it even be close to the as built price of 150k? Also a car like Jack's, a nice 72 would go for top dollar, what would his RSR conversion go for, thoughts?

[techweenie]

There will be a segment of the market that will pay more for a backdated Carrera.

I should know, I sold one for strong money 2-1/2 years ago. My estimate is that I was able to get 50% more because of the backdate.

To 'come out' on a backdate, you have to do the majority of work yourself, which is what I did. Also, my backdate was partial, as I left the mirrors, black trim and interior. I wasn't sure I would stay within the value envelope if I did it all.

[whiterabbit]

A singer starts at 350k. I do think if the builder provanace is correctly branded then you will see your money back. I would jump at the chance to buy a TRE, Autofarm or Paul Stephen backdate, not so much some hacked up job in fibreglass.

[Matt Monson]

That closing comment is important. A car done with a ton a factory sheet metal, like front fenders, and well installed steel flares, with properly revised sills will command more than a car done in glass.

I think high caliber cars will rise in value right along with their stock brethren and in some instances eclipse them. There's a thread in this forum a few months back about a really nice back date for sale. I missed the mark on it and undervalued it. If memory serves it sold between $45-50k, for a Carrera made to look and perform like a Carrera RS.

[whiterabbit]

I wonder what the real cost is to add factory fenders, hood, sills, bumpers, lamps and welding in correctly the rear flairs and brackets etc? Must be circ 25k with paint I would guess. Maybe a lot more. Start backdating the dash, interior and I can see up to 50k before any mechanicals are touched.

[Etham]

I think if you're worried about resale don't back date. You can spend the money on a real long hood or spend the money by losing resale potential. Either way you spend it.

I'm not saying don't do it, just not think in those terms.

[Matt Monson]

I can by a ragged SC for $15k and spend $20k making it a really nice backdate. Find me a nice longnose for $35k these days. $35k buys a rough driver. Two years ago your math worked. Today it doesn't.
Not saying I would ever get my $$$ back out of the backdate. Just saying I can have a nicer car for the same money.

[christiandk]

No doubt that Techs backdate looks good for what is, but I bet that it would be worth more stock 10 years from now.