Porsches are leaving

[techweenie]

I did a favor for a friend in Germany yesterday - went to the overseas shipper to pack some parts with a destroyed 912 going back to the fatherland.

At the shipper's was virtually every interesting Porsche I've seen advertised in the past 3 months: the Beige Gray special order SC, a restored Ivory '67S, at least 12 LWB 911 coupes... probably close to 20 air cooled 911s leaving this month.

It's like that every month at this one shipper, and there are at least 5 shippers just in the LA area exporting a similar number of Porsches every month.

It's a bit depressing, but it also goes toward explaining the rise in selling prices. The cars are becoming more scarce for us here.

I had read once in the 80s (when things one read tended to be researched) that 38% of the Porsche factory's output ended up in California. Well, things are evening out...

[Macroni]

Do not become disheartened still many nice cars here....

[KNS]

Yes, that is pretty depressing. If you've got one you better hang on to it - finding another one years from now will be very difficult (and costly).

If you're selling your (only) air-cooled 911, better make sure you've got it out of your system and are at peace with it.

[Elombard]

Wow thats interesting. Sad I guess. Yeah It seems like I am seeing a lot fewer hot rod/R Gruppe builds lately. Guess I need to move on to something cheaper.

[Matt Monson]

Makes me happy that I have no reason to sell. And glad that I grabbed my '67 912 when I did. It took me a while to come around to the SWB ethos, but now having my 2nd one (first was a '68 911T), I have to say that the 901 chassis is unique and special.

[Dueller]

There were what? 250-300,000 911'S built between 1965 and 1989. Just a drop in the bucket going back to Europe. I agree that there are still plenty of decent drivers around.

[techweenie]

I should have added that this has been going on at high volume for 10-12 years. 20/mo X 5 shippers X 12 years...

My perception was that it had tailed off, and in some respects, it has, with Germany representing a lower percentage of shipments, but 911s have caught on in other countries.

[GothingNC]

Seem's depressing to think we will see less and less air-cooled 911's on the road or at events and the newcomers to the hobby with a limited budget will be stuck with the water-pumpers...

[Weekend Rides]

It will slow it's their hedge on inflation and the softening euro to dollar.

[ASD]

If ATLANTA is any indication there are a lot of Porsches still around.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

Seem's depressing to think we will see less and less air-cooled 911's on the road or at events and the newcomers to the hobby with a limited budget will be stuck with the water-pumpers...

What's depressing is that in 10 days in Berlin and surrounding areas of Germany in 2009 I only saw 2 air cooled Porsches. Was about the same when I was there in 2002 and 2006. We've got it good. Maybe they've got more on the road in the south closer to the factory, but I don't know.

[christiandk]

Well not more cars on the road here. The Dutch are buying all the junk you dont want to sell to ignorant 1st time buyers. Actually I bought my 912 from the Dutch. Sit was original but not nice...now it is relatively nice.

Collectors are buying the nice original cars to save for later sales or for eternity. They will never see the road again.

I dont have collector potential cars anymore, but I enjoy what I have and hope that my son will enjoy them when he grows up.

[speeder]

It's depressing for anyone into the hobby here, unless you're rich and were smart enough to buy all of the good stuff you wanted a while ago.

[Matt Monson]

It's depressing for anyone into the hobby here, unless you're rich OR were smart enough to buy all of the good stuff you wanted a while ago.

Fixed that. I'm not rich. And I spent less than $50k for the 4 Porsches in my signature.

Though only the '86 is in really good condition. The rest will require another $20-25k to make them nice. But I've got time.

[j8tg]

Matt--sent you a pm. Am interested in your 912 thoughts.

TG
930--sold
Littleton

[dporsche74]

Its too bad nobody in USA wants to restore old 911 with enthusiasm ..
I am personally Glad most lake, barn , field .garage finds
are going to be shared on the "Lawn cars" now instead of dying and V8'ed

[kundensport]

i returned 3 Porsches back to the US.
good cars enjoy a global audience

[comintern]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I had read once in the 80s (when things one read tended to be researched) that 38% of the Porsche factory's output ended up in California. Well, things are evening out...

That was just a 4 county area in southern California. Total U.S. share in 1986 was over 30,000 vehicles out of about 49,000 made (60%).

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by dporsche74

Its too bad nobody in USA wants to restore old 911 with enthusiasm ..

I'm not sure where you get your information, but it's not the case in So Cal. The local Porsche restoration specialists are booked up at least 3 months in advance.

[dporsche74]

Well.. Personally selling over 30 pre -73 in the past few years...
Not a one sold inside the US here... nor anyone in the US ever gave a decent offer for one either..