Value question... 79SC
 

Despite having owned 30 plus aircooled cars, I can't get a grasp on the market. Curious what you think a 79SC Targa with less than 12,000 original miles may be worth. Obviously has sat for years and needs paint/interior work. Engine likely needs to come apart and re sealed. Ballpark? I know what the parts are worth, and have a rough idea what it would cost to restore, but with that mileage not sure if selling as is, or refreshing or restoring is the correct approach. And again, I have no idea on current value...

Honestly, if it has sat that long, the CIS system is going to need a distributor/WUR rebuild, gas tank probably, injectors, all CIS boots/seals, and that's going to be $2500 if you do the work minimum. Probably closer to $3-$4K as the tunnel lines should be replaced.

Reseals are not that bad if you drop everything as one, as you will absolutely have to do to do the CIS correctly.

Paint work? Interior work? On a 12,000 mile car? Guess if it was stored incorrectly back east. Then you are talking serious, serious money like $10K, $15K, or more - then the car would not appeal to any collectors who really want a 12,000 car because it won't be close to original. And that is the whole point of a 12,000 mile car - originality - and low miles.

I wouldn't pay more than $25K (probably less), seeing it needs at least $15K worth of work, and then you are at $40K - and who is really going to pay that when you can find nicer Carreras and SCS for this money probably with original paint and interior.

I guess, again, that this thread is sort of useless without photos to gauge the paint and/or interior.

+1 to what Sal said.

+1 to Sal, AND I think Sal's repair numbers are probably low ...and then when you're all done..you have a targa.

What color? Anodized or bright work? It makes a difference.

A restored documented 12k SC is a $75k car. The big problem is there are a very limited number of buyers in that niche. They are out there. They don’t generally post here.

I don't know.

I'm one of those buyers. But I'm not sure I could get anywhere near that number on the car described. 12k miles and all original? Sure. $75k and more. But this car needs so much work there will be almost nothing original about it when it's done. I don't think it brings close to $75k. I do agree about the color. That's really the driving factor in the SC market right now. If it's a great and uncommon color, I could change my mind.

Need pictures. Really depends on shape. If it has all books and records and you can prove 100% it's a 12k example it might be worth restoring.

It's funny because I thought of you as I typed that.

I did make an assumption when I threw that out there. I know Jeff and the kind of standards he maintains in his shop. If he were to restore it and sell it, it would be done to a very high standard, and thus my out there number. I know of unrestored sub-50k mi SCs that have traded in the 50-60K range. I didn't think 75k was that much of a reach, but maybe it is.

A couple of years ago I saw a $75,000 911SC but it was absolutely perfect. It wasn't a low mile car but it was perfect in every way.

Will have some pics next week after it arrives for inspection. 2 of my staff have had a quick look at the car where it sits in a car trailer so far.

Thanks for the kind words Matt. We are trying to verify everything and the car is on its way to the shop for a proper inspection. If mileage is correct we want to buy the car. The value question is to help us determine the path of restoration or create a custom build. If we take the car, whatever path we choose will be completed to the highest standard.

Cheers

You could restore it to perfect factory condition and maybe break even... or you could build a back-dated hot-rod out of it and quadruple your money.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1982-porsche-911sc-4-2/

Funny world we live in. ;)