Another "Whats it worth" post... 1984 Carrera Targa

[trader220]

I may regret this but here it goes…. Mileage about 46,xxx mi VIN number WP0EB0916ES161637

One of my father’s oldest business partners is considering selling his 1984 Targa as he nears retirement. He is the original owner. I remember back in 1984 when he purchased the car, oh how lusted over it back when I was in college.

This is a true 1 owner car, no accidents, no paint work. Unfortunately there is not a whole lot in terms of service history on the car. I have the original bill of sale.

On the bill of sale it says “Paint to Sample”. The color appears to be Iris Blue but some of you experts can weigh in. I didn’t see the color code sticker inside the passenger side bonnet. Blue leather interior. This car is original as delivered including a period correct alarm system installed by the dealer. According to my father’s partner it’s only spent 2 or 3 days outside overnight its entire life. Always stored in his climate controlled garage or in a classic car storage facility. During the first 15 to 17 years of its life it was used fairly regularly on nice days. Over the last 10 or so years it’s been rarely used other than an occasional drive.

I drove the car yesterday. My impressions were that it runs and drives just as it should. There are no issues with the trans. I went up and down through the gears many times on a 10 mile ride without any issues. The suspension has a squeak which I didn’t bother to dig into. The motor pulls as strong as any 3.2 I have driven (and I have owned and driven quite a few). The brakes were excellent. The tires have plenty of tread but I would probably swap them for new ones simply on time. I suspect they’re 10 or more years old. The car started on the first twist of the key hot and cold, idles well, runs cool, with good oil pressure and generally feels like an 84 targa should feel. He was diligent about service and maintenance, according to his word. Looking under the car there are a couple areas that are weeping. There are no oil drops under the car just a couple areas where I can see that its weeping just a bit. I parked the car after my drive and before I left his home about 3 hours later I went back and looked and again nothing under the car.

Cosmetically there are some minor items of note. Keep in mind he had only driven the car 1 other time this spring, and it had not been properly cleaned this season so it appears somewhat dirty. The 6 & 7 by 16 Fuchs are all straight and true with no rash. Every light, gauge, switch etc works as it should. I didn’t try the AC and I am 100% sure all the parts are there but it has never been converted and would need a shot of Freon. The body is straight and true with proper gaps and panel fit, and no signs of any paint work or damage. The interior has a nice patina on it and could use a good going through but its all there in proper working order. There is a split on one of the seams of the drivers seat which could be easily sewed up and not noticeable. The top, according to my father’s partner had been redone sometime in the past. The seals are all there, they look a bit dingy but the top fits properly and does not rattle more or less than the one on any other targa I have owned or driven. As you can see from the pictures in the short run the top needs a thorough going over to make it look nice and probably in the long run a rebuild. The headliner is just starting to droop a bit. The entire car could use a good detailing to make it really look its best.

He is on the cusp of selling the car and since he knows I have owned many 911’s he simply asked my advice on pricing and where / how to sell it. I figured I would solicit some opinions from the board.

Pics:

[trader220]

Forgot to mention there is the standard crack on the dash.

More Pictures:

[christiandk]

Great write up. Very informative.

Pretty nice looking car, and before I looked at the pictures I would have said 35k+. The history of the car is great - But as far as I can tell this is not a 47K miles car, looks more like a 147K miles car to me.

Probably a 20-25K car.

P.S. The seller being the first owner I assume that the booklets are present?

[2cam]

How does a car that has reportedly spent so much time out of the weather end up with that amount of fading on the top and bar and a cracked dash? To me it appears that it's spent a considerable amount of time outside. The cosmetics would definitely cause me to question the stated mileage of the car if I was looking to buy it.

However, it does have a wonderful color combo. As it is, I would guess $20K without records and with the cosmetics as they are.

2cam

[trader220]

Christian and 2Cam those were my thoughts exactly. I decided to just go ahead and present the car just as I saw it yesterday without doing a single thing to it. I am 95% sure he is going to sell the car. When he commits I am going to address a lot of the cosmetics, basically everything except the crack in the dash. There are some shadows on the photos. You can see the sun behind the passenger side and there are some trees casting shadows over the car when I took some shots standing on the passenger side shooting back at the car.

I am just looking for some opinions. I dont think this is perfect number 1 show queen that will draw $40k. My initial impression is that with some work and a few bucks its more than a mid 20's car.

Thanks for the opinions, I assure you the mileage is accurate. I only say that knowing the owner since he bought the car and having seen it a number of times over the years. The last time prior to yesterday that I saw the car was 7 or 8 years ago at 45 and change on the odo.

The car did not sit under a cover in his garage and there was plenty of sunlight hitting the car in his garage. That being the case I also agree, my impression would be, if I didn't know otherwise that there appears to be more fading than I would expect at that mileage.


When I get the go ahead I will bring it over to my garage and put it up on the lift for some underside shots too.

Here is a couple of other shots

[christiandk]

I like those books!

[Matt Monson]

May have never been parked out over night, but I'm pretty sure that car has seen plenty of time parked in the sun.

I don't doubt the mileage but the fading/cracking will ding it pretty good. +/-28k.

[christiandk]

Seats? Look pretty used and dry.

Did not realize that the sun shined so much in Philly

[Matt Monson]

Christian,
Assume it was a summer toy. Remove targa top and stash in frunk. Seats and dash get the uv damage.

[trader220]

I understand the doubts on the mileage. As I mentioned this is one of my father's oldest partners. I have known him nearly 40 years. I have known the car since he bought it new and for what its worth I am 100% sure about the miles, besides he does not need the money and he has no reason to lie to me.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Christian,
Assume it was a summer toy. Remove targa top and stash in frunk. Seats and dash get the uv damage.

Hmmm.......I see your point, and the blue leather color wears fast.

[NYNick]

If I was shopping for a car, I'd run with this one pretty hard. It's only original once as they say, and if it is as you say, PPI the crap out of it and then buy it!

[Matt Monson]

Hmmm.......I see your point, and the blue leather color wears fast.

It's one of the downsides of a targa. They always get more uv abuse.
Personally I would seriously consider this car. I love the color. The mileage is great. Some cosmetic restoration and you've got a show caliber car. But those cosmetics will cost $5-7k to do, and thus my price.

[Helios59]

You know what I like about this car? No spoilers whatsoever. I see so many with no rear spoilers and a front chin spoiler. It should be all or nothing, no?

I wish this car had been for sale five years ago when I was looking. Fix the cosmetics and I bet you have a great, original driver. With the original Blaupunkt, too!

[trader220]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

It's one of the downsides of a targa. They always get more uv abuse.
Personally I would seriously consider this car. I love the color. The mileage is great. Some cosmetic restoration and you've got a show caliber car. But those cosmetics will cost $5-7k to do, and thus my price.

$1500 maybe for to have the top totally redone.

How much to have the seat sewed up? Even worse case have the two front seats recovered to factory $1500?

Dash replaced repaired? $750

$3750 .... I dont see $5 to $7k .... maybe $5k on the high end. But then I would expect a whole lot more out of the selling price.

Thanks to all for the opinions.

Whats a new dash go for? Where is the best place to source one or have it repaired correctly? Thanks

[trader220]

Paint code is L999 which as we all know is "paint to sample" any idea on the real color code?

[christiandk]

New seals around bar, by doors etc!? How do you restore the targa bar....just not a paint job, imo.

My old targa was a 113k miles car that spent its life in southern CA and AZ....looked brand new and was never touched. Only by the sun. Maybe it wore sunscreen

I sure like those accessories. That Blaupunkt cassette tape is awesome...wonder what is on it.

The color is probably that later known as Iris Blau Metallic.

[darmahman]

Car looks like it wasn't very well taken care of if the mileage is really that low. Definitely get a ppi. I just bought a almost perfect 85 with 47 k for $26k. But the condition was a 2+. Yours is a low three at least from the pics. I'd say $20k if the pip is good.

[blau911]

Option code shows the following:
Code Option Description
158 Radio "Monterey" - 86 "Reno" - 87
395 Light metal wheels - forged
424 Automatic heating control
454 Automatic speed control
533 Alarm system

Originally Posted by trader220

[darmahman]

What is the condition of the paint?