1970 911S - how much does provenance contribute to value?

[mhackney]

Hello all, I am the 4th owner of a numbers-matching Light Ivory on Black 1970 911S (purchased in 2002). The previous 3 owners are well documented (I have their names and addresses, selling price and date of purchase for all owners):

1970 - 1997
1997 - 2000
2000 - 2002
2002 - present, me

Provenance is a 3 ring binder documenting the complete history of the car from the 1970 Porsche Sales Brochure, the original window sticker, bill of sale and receipts for all work and parts through 1998. I've continued the tradition from 2002 - present. The binder alone is a fascinating walk through the life of this car! For example, the original owner considered adding after-market air conditioning at one point and then had better sense! He also weighed options between a complete engine rebuild in 1990 versus purchasing a new replacement motor (again coming to his senses to have the motor rebuilt) and consulted (several letters via mail) with Bruce Anderson for recomendations. In 1988 the car had a bare metal, windows out repaint - again, well documented, and it goes on.

The car itself is correct and I've focused on preservation rather than restoration, starting with mechanical sorting. My question is, does - and if so, by how much - this level of documentation affect desirability and/or value? Let me provide a little more detail for consideration:

Details

• All numbers matching 1970 911S coupe, light ivory on black.
• VIN: 9110300237
• Engine: 6300300
• Transmission: don't remember, need to look again

Provenance

• original window sticker and bill of sale
• a 3 ring binder containing receipts documenting the car from 1970 to 1998 and then from 2002 to present
• Certificate of Authenticity
• original sales brochure
• original owners manual in fine condition
• original tool kit and jack in excellent condition

Condition

• very good mechanical condition (engine, MFI, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension)
• engine and MFI are strong
• interior is correct and good
• Sierra Madre door pockets, still have the original worn pockets
• I'm replacing the driver's side longitudinal carpet due to some previous damage at the corner, original piece kept.
• body has some minor localized rust including:
• bottom of driver’s side door (apparently the drain holes got plugged and the door filled with water, the passenger side door is clean)
• a few small rust pin holes around rear window frame
• several other very small (<1 cm^2) surface rust areas

Mechanical Sorting I’ve done

• replaced the aftermarket CDI with the correct restored Bosch unit
• restored RPM transducer
• removed the engine to fix and upgrade the pesky 1970 pivot bolt for clutch release fork and replaced all engine gauges and seals
• powder coated all engine sheet metal in proper satin black, etc
• distributor rebuilt
• new clutch cable and throttle bushings
• original Blaupunkt Frankfort radio professionally restored
• R&R the fuel pump and all new correct fuel lines up front (5/2015)
• new gel battery and solid battery mounting (5/2015)
• throttle bodies and throttle linkages rebuilt and the MFI fuel lines were replated in proper colors (Matt Blast/Eurometrix and they are beautiful)
• many other small projects
• will need new tires due to age not wear

Overall this is an original and correct 1970 911S. It is a fun and wonderful driver as-is and doesn't require any interior or mechanical work (other than tires). The biggest exterior issue is the rust at the bottom of the driver's side door. It could be respectably driven as-is or taken to the next level with a superb repaint. The 45 years of documentation paints a wonderful picture on how these cars were cared for and maintained over the years.

Cheers,
Michael

[pu911]

A good correct 1970 911 S is worth plenty- it's nice to have the full ownership history but I don't think is ads much to value, my 2 cents.
Phil

[mhackney]

Thanks Phil. I am getting feedback that it might sweeten the pot and for a few buyers may be of some value.

[pu911]

condition condition condition are primary factors in determining value- the more documentation the better, can't hurt value, GLWS.
Phil

[Matt Monson]

Seems to be something Europeans really like to see. If you market worldwide it could in read value. At the very least it makes it easier to close the deal without a bunch of probing questions you don't know how to answer.

[techweenie]

It's a nice-to-have, but means more with fewer owners.

The service book is important to literature fiends.

I'd call it a tie-breaker for an equivalent car, but not much monetary value.

[COLB]

An original window sticker or build sheet is cool -- mainly because it documents how the car left the factory. Maintenance history is a good thing. Especially receipts for engine/transmission rebuilds and major services. Having the 1975 NAPA receipt for wiper blades is an indicator the owner was meticulous to the point of OCD, but doesn't say much about the current condition of the car.

Provenance (beyond basic records) only really starts to affect value if it is validating something unique or interesting about the car in question.

If Steve McQueen lost his virginity in the car, or you are claiming it was driven by Nuvolari at LeMans, then yeah -- having the documents to support that matters.

[mhackney]

Thanks. Perhaps I misused "provenance". According to the dictionary, it simply is a record of ownership, there is no requirement that the owners were/are famous or important. Perhaps I should have titled this "provenance and completely documented history". It's the documented history that I am most interested in.

COLB, that is exactly what I have, the point of OCD for every minor receipt and even handwritten and typed notes the original owner made to himself and others asking about things like after market air conditioning, which tires to upgrade to, etc. Lots and lots of this.

[CountD]

To me as someone who has followed classic car markets since I was 15, provenance and documented ownership is worth a ton. However, since early 911 prices are so sky high - and this is a relatively new thing - a lot of paperwork was lost over the years for these cars because early 911s and 911s in general were just neat 'used cars' to people.

If you look at the markets, provenance and/or documented ownership always played into the Ferrari market because most of these '60s or '70s cars have been or have been thought to be blue chip investments for most people. That's where this has counted.

As 911s have become extremely expensive as of late, investors and flippers have entered the game. People are asking for 911 documents, broadcast sheets (what a joke), window stickers, etc. This is news for most Porsche owners who considered their rides just neat old German cars that handled well and are cool.

[geshaghi]

The primary drivers of value for your car are condition and originality. Ownership history and documentation can help support the condition and originality of the car, and if it demonstrates that the car has been well cared for during it's life, this adds value. Personally, I like having this stuff. Would I pay extra for a car with a full history? Yes. How much? Harder to say.

[73.5TinPA]

Thanks for taking the time to key all those words, Michael. I enjoyed reading the history excerpt.
I think it is pretty neat to have all those details about your car.
It is almost like a PPI with good information.

My car came with similar documentation, I never thought much about it, just goes with the car.
Now, after reading your post, I think I'll look through the invoices and organize it all better.

The value of the documented history would- as others have written- likely depend on the personal values of potential new owners. Although, a meticulous buyer would probably revel in it.

So, yes it could have a value to the right person. Perhaps thousands of dollars of value.
And, probably more so as the cars age and values increase.