1968 911 Rust Bucket - What's It Worth?

[rossvesq]

Friend of mine is going to sell his 68 911 coupe, VIN # 11830209. Car is located in northern Virginia. Here is a link to photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/gp/21981435@N07/764938/

The good:
Not much really. It APPEARS to be straight, and doesn't appear to have ever been hit. Headliner still attached to roof. No sunroof (if you want a smooth-top). And, well, that's about it for the good.

The bad:
Not an "S", just a plain old 911. Sat outside under a cheap tarp for well over a decade. Loaded with rust. Absolutely COLOSSAL amounts of rust. Did I mention the rust? Driver side floor completely rotted to daylight, pass. side floor not far behind. Frunk floor rotted away - gone. Rockers have more bumps/bubbles/blemishes than the face of a 14 year old. Doors rotted along bottoms. Front valance rust perforation. Interior is shot, full of leaves, bird nests, etc. Wrong engine cover - came off a later 1972/73 2.4 liter S model - why? Beats me. Engine bay a mess. Both carbs removed and are nowhere to be found. Chrome steel wheels rusted. Tires flat. No sunroof (if you don't want a smooth-top). Don't know if the engine even turns. Doubt it can even be winched onto a flatbed without a dolly under it as brakes are almost certainly seized. Every rubber component crumbles at the slightest touch. There's more bad I could list but you get the picture.

Folks, it's an ugly mess. I've done a handful of complicated rotisserie restos and I wouldn't go near this with a ten meter cattle prod. I don't even see much hope for it as a parts car, as there is little on it that would be worth salvaging. Now, after that cheerful description, what's the consensus on its value? I'm thinking someone may be willing to part with $5K for it, given the ridiculous price run up for long nose cars over the past 18-24 months. (And yes, I took photos but forgot to bring the USB stick into work with me - sorry. But I hope my description left little to the imagination).

My friend is in a state of mild denial. He asked me to help him restore it. I had to gently let him know that his old buddy was on its deathbed, the cancer is now beyond stage 4, and it only has months (hell, weeks?) to live. He can't believe it, he says it seems like only a few short years ago they were frolicking along the back roads together. I told him to let it go, and focus on the fond memories instead. He is thinking about it..... I think he will list it soon (especially since it has been sitting in his other friend's driveway for over a decade and that dude's wife is sick of it). Anyway, appreciate any and all feedback. Cheers,

[CountD]

Originally Posted by rossvesq

My friend is in a state of mild denial. He asked me to help him restore it. I had to gently let him know that his old buddy was on its deathbed, the cancer is now beyond stage 4, and it only has months (hell, weeks?) to live. He can't believe it, he says it seems like only a few short years ago they were frolicking along the back roads together. I told him to let it go, and focus on the fond memories instead. He is thinking about it..... I think he will list it soon (especially since it has been sitting in his other friend's driveway for over a decade and that dude's wife is sick of it). Anyway, appreciate any and all feedback. Cheers,

Free storage for 10 years? Man, that's sweet. Ten years in a friend's driveway and the wife is sick of it? I want to meet this wife. In 10 days my wife would be sick of it. Use the friends wife angle and he'll get rid of it. List it and move on. Fond memories only get fonder.

[NYNick]

That's the best description of a POS I've ever heard. Laughed out loud 3 times.
I have no idea of value, but I think your description is priceless.
Nick

[Matt Monson]

Pictures and serial numbers mean everything.

[Matt Monson]

Ps. If he wants an honest no BS offer/assessment call Robert at Lufteknic.

[fast_e_man]

I have a 70S targa in my garage, that my wife calls "The Rust Bucket". After reading the description of your friends 68 coupe, my wife needs a new nickname for my 70S project. In fact, she needs to read your post.

I'm pretty sure you need to post the pics so your buddies car can be the definitive picture in the dictionary next to word "Rust Bucket".

One of the best posts I've read in long time, thanks!!!

[rossvesq]

Photos are coming. I'll try to post later today when I get home. VIN# is listed in the first post. I could not clean off the engine to get the ser. # off the case or off the tranny. My guess (caveat, just a guess) is that the engine is the original but hell I could be wrong about that. I took about 50 photos so I will post to Flickr or Dropbox or something like that, I don't think I can post that many on this list.

[pors1968]

If it for part the big diff alu or mag engine .

[Matt Monson]

You will want to get those engine and gearbox type and serial numbers. Even on an old normal, numbers matching is a big bump in value.

[rossvesq]

Okay, here is a Flickr guest pass. There are 48 photos. As I said, it's rough, and BTW did I mention the rust? Cheers,

https://www.flickr.com/gp/21981435@N07/764938/

RDV

[rossvesq]

FOLKS, IT SOLD - AMAZINGLY - FOR $20K. No doggy doo. I am stunned. The buyer originally offered $22.5K under the mistaken belief it was an S model. And yes, he came out, inspected it, took photos, etc. When he found out it was not an S model he dropped his offer to $20K. When will the insanity stop? Unbelievable.....

[HugoBear]

You know what's funny. I have seen cars that have no uniqueness to them that are in just as bad shape go for $12k. At least this car in good shape is worth a lot. Love your description and for keeping it real.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by rossvesq

FOLKS, IT SOLD - AMAZINGLY - FOR $20K.

Wow.

I really do have to go look at this "Porsche in a barn" I heard about.

[LakeCleElum]

How was the car advertised?

[pors1968]

That was not a parts car but 20k it a well done sale .I would probably put it 8-12k range congrat with your sale.

[pmax]

Must be a $20k 911 in here somewhere

Forest Full of Abandoned Cars Photos | Image #6 - ABC News

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by pmax

Must be a $20k 911 in here somewhere

Forest Full of Abandoned Cars Photos | Image #6 - ABC News

Except that the 911 wasn't released for another 2 decades after those cars were parked...