Price Check:1968 911 Targa Project (soft window potential)

[ricks234]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about selling my 1968 911 Targa Project.

I simply have too many projects in work right now, and this one is lower on the list to get completed.

VIN 11880123. From what I can tell, the car was a sportomatic. There is no evidence of it being a soft window, but it could easily be converted. I don't have a COA for the car yet, but intend to order one. It is my understanding that there were no differentiators on VIN whether or not it is a soft window or not, so I imagine it could be converted quite easily if you are into that sort of thing.

Prior to me owning the car, at some point in its life, it had a v8 in it. There needs to be some sheet metal clean up in the engine bay (mostly grinding smooth where a mount was welded in place. Also, a section of the firewall (rear seats) was cut out for some reason, and there is a patch panel just affixed in place. Also, the front end (hood latch area) was chopped at some point and replaced with an SC panel.

The chassis is SOLID. I don't see any rust anywhere, which is quite rare for an early SWB. As seen in the pictures, it has some SC fenders on it and some SC rear flares tacked in place. Suspension is intact (rears are KYB's but i have a set of konis and I believe fronts are konis), and it has vented rear discs!

This car could be brought back to original and another '68 engine could be sourced. Compared to the rust bucket chassis I see all over the web these days, this is in an entirely different league. The floors are extremely clean, and the panels required to finish are readily available for sale.

Has original targa roof, some interior bits, original steering wheel, and other misc stuff.

This isn't a for sale post and I'm simply posting to figure out a fair asking price. Whatever the market rate is for a car like this will dictate whether I not I sell it, or finish it up.

Located in San Diego area...

Let me know your thoughts guys!

[CASair]

your vin is missing a digit. too bad it was modified the way it was. Did they cut the front valance for a short hood as well, since it has short hood fenders? It will take many $ to get it right. Being an early car it probably had an aluminum case engine as well ($$$$), BUT it was most likely a softie and those are very hard to find. with all the unknowns i'd say in its current state $25-30k. it being a sporto does not help in value.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by CASair

your vin is missing a digit. too bad it was modified the way it was. Did they cut the front valance for a short hood as well, since it has short hood fenders? It will take many $ to get it right. BUT it was most likely a softie and those are very hard to find. with all the unknowns i'd say in its current state $25-30k. it being a sporto does not help in value.

I disagree about the whole Sporto thing not helping value. There are so few of these, and so few made (around 307), that any are valuable.

Who knows the value as it's hard to base on the fact there are few and have been few for sale.

[ricks234]

Originally Posted by SalParadise

I disagree about the whole Sporto thing not helping value. There are so few of these, and so few made (around 307), that any are valuable.

Who knows the value as it's hard to base on the fact there are few and have been few for sale.

Yes, very few sportos were EVER made. I do have a lead on a sporto trans as well thats very close in numbers. I could throw that in with the car if it helped with the value.

[ricks234]

Originally Posted by CASair

your vin is missing a digit. too bad it was modified the way it was. Did they cut the front valance for a short hood as well, since it has short hood fenders? It will take many $ to get it right. Being an early car it probably had an aluminum case engine as well ($$$$), BUT it was most likely a softie and those are very hard to find. with all the unknowns i'd say in its current state $25-30k. it being a sporto does not help in value.

Sorry, correct vin is 11880123.

Yes the front valence was cut for the short hood fenders. The hood on the car is original from what I can tell.

I agree with the next post down from your original post. The fact that is a sporto makes it all the more rare. Only about 307 of em were ever made, and i doubt there are many in existence. I imagine that means its more valuable to the right type of investor, but again, I created the post because I simply do not know...

[Matt Monson]

Sporto on the coa without the actual gearbox complete and present means absolutely nothing. A sporto car is only interesting when I has a sporto in the car.

[ricks234]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Sporto on the coa without the actual gearbox complete and present means absolutely nothing. A sporto car is only interesting when I has a sporto in the car.

I have a lead on a complete sports out of a '68. I could either pass on a lead, or the box to the next owner.

[SalParadise]

I'd sell it instead of parts hunting. What does this thing need, $50K worth of restoration work and that's not including the correct motor/trans? I'd pass it on to someone who has a hankering for a '68 and have them buy the seats.

[ricks234]

So price feedback so far is 25-30k range?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by ricks234

I have a lead on a complete sports out of a '68. I could either pass on a lead, or the box to the next owner.

Yes, I read that previously. I am telling you that means nothing. I'll state it more plainly. The ONLY sportos that are of any notable value are ones with original numbers matching engines and gearboxes. You have a roller.

It's not a SWT. It's not a sporto. It's a 68 normal targa roller in unknown condition missing most everything that was on the COA. I haven't put a value on it because you haven't given us enough pictures to tell if it's a rust free cream puff or is about to fold in half.

[ricks234]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Yes, I read that previously. I am telling you that means nothing. I'll state it more plainly. The ONLY sportos that are of any notable value are ones with original numbers matching engines and gearboxes. You have a roller.

It's not a SWT. It's not a sporto. It's a 68 normal targa roller in unknown condition missing most everything that was on the COA. I haven't put a value on it because you haven't given us enough pictures to tell if it's a rust free cream puff or is about to fold in half.

Thanks for the feedback Matt. Then I'll leave it at that. It is a 68 911 targa roller that can be brought back to either a sporto or a manual and a SWT or a glass window if someone finds the matching number stuff.

I described the car as It stands. There is no rust. I'll get some interior shots. 👍

[CASair]

Rare does not equal value, just look at edsels and 356 notch backs. A 68 Sporto isn't the most desirable option as they were rather problematic. The market is much better for a 5 speed but with the power train missing anyway, it is what it is.

Blood orange is cool and it was indeed equipped with an optional heated glass back window. This would have had the vertical heater strips, a 68-only option and very very hard to find. A soft window would make it more $$ but this is one of a few hands full with a glass window.

You have a very rare car, but with the mods will take a lot of $$ to restore. 50 k would be the low end if you do it correctly and it would not be matching numbers. Fully agree with Matt assessment.

[ricks234]

Originally Posted by CASair

Rare does not equal value, just look at edsels and 356 notch backs. A 68 Sporto isn't the most desirable option as they were rather problematic. The market is much better for a 5 speed but with the power train missing anyway, it is what it is.

Blood orange is cool and it was indeed equipped with an optional heated glass back window. This would have had the vertical heater strips, a 68-only option and very very hard to find. A soft window would make it more $$ but this is one of a few hands full with a glass window.

You have a very rare car, but with the mods will take a lot of $$ to restore. 50 k would be the low end if you do it correctly and it would not be matching numbers. Fully agree with Matt assessment.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm still working on getting over to the shop to get pics. Hopefully soon.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by CASair

Rare does not equal value, just look at edsels and 356 notch backs. A 68 Sporto isn't the most desirable option as they were rather problematic. The market is much better for a 5 speed but with the power train missing anyway, it is what it is.

Blood orange is cool and it was indeed equipped with an optional heated glass back window. This would have had the vertical heater strips, a 68-only option and very very hard to find. A soft window would make it more $$ but this is one of a few hands full with a glass window.

You have a very rare car, but with the mods will take a lot of $$ to restore. 50 k would be the low end if you do it correctly and it would not be matching numbers. Fully agree with Matt assessment.

I have to agree about the rarity of sporto's being similar to Notchbacks. I currently have a T6 Notch, one of only 700 made. It's rarer than a Speedster, but not for the right reasons. The Notch and the Sporto are rare because they weren't ordered or sold in high quantities, so years later they are rare. But it wasn't a Factory plan like the M491, or the RS America, or the Weissach cars. The only time you might get someone excited about a Sporto if it's an all original, numbers matching example, and even then it wouldn't sell for more than a regular car of the same quality.

---Adam

[maninblack]

Originally Posted by CASair

it being a sporto does not help in value.

+1

Anyone who thinks a sporto helps value hasn't been following the market. It is perhaps the single worst option you can have on an early car from a value perspective. I can show you car after car after car that has sold for way too little after way too long only because it was optioned with a sporto.

[maninblack]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

IThe only time you might get someone excited about a Sporto if it's an all original, numbers matching example, and even then it wouldn't sell for more than a regular car of the same quality.

Well said, if a little optimistic.

Remember this car, Adam? Sporto killed the value by at least $50k and it took the better part of a year to sell. If it had been a 5-speed, there would have been a stampede (me included) to buy this car.

FS: 70 911E. 12,843 orig miles

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by maninblack

Well said, if a little optimistic.

Remember this car, Adam? Sporto killed the value by at least $50k and it took the better part of a year to sell. If it had been a 5-speed, there would have been a stampede (me included) to buy this car.

FS: 70 911E. 12,843 orig miles

I can't say I remember that one, I try to avoid all things Frank Beck, it keeps my blood pressure down to ignore Frank.

I saw a perfect example of this sporto de-value last year. I'm slowly looking for a 74 Carrera, I was born in 74 so it makes sense. I saw one for sale cheap and I was already reaching for my phone, oh, but it was a sporto. It took a long time to sell it and was at least 25% below market. It was for sale for so long a couple of nights I stared at it and almost got the nerve up to call the next day, but every morning I would wake up and see the light of day, both literally and figuratively.

But if anyone wants to win that rare car game, come on by and grab this T6 Notchback I have, I'll make you a deal, it's rarer than a Speedster!!!!

---Adam

[CASair]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

But if anyone wants to win that rare car game, come on by and grab this T6 Notchback I have, I'll make you a deal, it's rarer than a Speedster!!!!

---Adam

I hear they make wonderful cabs

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by CASair

I hear they make wonderful cabs

The T5's yes, the T6 no. The T6 had a coupe windshield and surround, so you can't just chop the top and make a cab. You have to find and weld in a cab windshield frame, making the T6 even less desirable.

---Adam

[Matt Monson]

I want a notchback.