Aubergine! Otherwise known as Eggplant. Aubergine is one of my all time favorite Porsche colors. It was available briefly in the early ’70s and that’s it. In part, I love it because it’s very pretty, but I also love it because it’s a color we so rarely see on any car. Purple simply isn’t a common car color. There are very good reasons for that as most shades of purple really don’t work well on cars unless you choose a very dark metallic hue, in which case under anything other than direct lighting it will look black.
Aubergine transcends those problems and finds the right balance between showing off the color, i.e. it doesn’t just look black, while also remaining subdued enough that you don’t feel like it’s a circus car. The pictures here do a nice job of conveying the way it looks under different lighting and this particular example, a 1972 Porsche 911T Coupe, looks in good condition with paint that shows pretty well. I don’t see Aubergine 911s all that often, but I’m always glad when I do.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1972 Porsche 911T Coupe on eBay
Year: 1972
Model: 911T
Engine: 2.4 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 53,005 mi
Price: $79,000 Buy It Now
1972 Porsche 911T coupe with sunroof, period correct 2.4 liter w/ 915 5-speed trans. Clean unmolested Southern California car with complete tub up, nut and bolt restoration. All new suspension, engine, trans, etc. This 911 was extensively restored to its factory original look, colors, fitment, and feel with Genuine parts, and is all sorted and a blast to drive. It even has the proper original date correct radio. Second owner. All records of restoration, COA, receipts. All sorted and runs excellent.
Not looking to deal with brokers. Great end user vehicle to drive or show. Offers will be considered.
The seller hasn’t gone into extensive detail, but we are told a few of the important bits. The first is that it lacks its original engine and transmission. What happened to the originals? We aren’t told, but the point remains the same: they aren’t with the car. The current engine and transmission are stated to be both period correct and all new, so I’m guessing you’re getting a proper 2.4 liter that’s recently been rebuilt. Not original, but should be in good working order. The other important detail is that the Aubergine paint I love so much is said to be this 911T’s original color. It’s not its original paint, but the Aubergine over Black combination sounds like it was how it left the factory. It also has a sunroof and all new suspension.
The summary is straightforward: this is a fully restored 911T in its original colors with period correct engine and transmission. It looks really good! I said above that the paint shows the color well and the interior too looks in very nice shape. You certainly could do worse. That said, even in such good shape I’m not sure that a 911T lacking its original engine/transmission will sell for $82K. Aubergine is rare and there’s value to be had there. It’s also a ’72, which holds its own particular good value. But I still think it’s too high. Work that price down a little bit though and you’re getting yourself a mighty nice early 911.
-Rob
Hi Rob,
Good points. I think another big one that I don’t believe they touched on is that the sunroof appears to be an after-market unit. I’ve found (for no good reason) that any alteration to the roof spooks a lot of buyers. I don’t mind as it was a common after-market item back in the day that the dealers used to do.
Cheers,
Paul
Hmmmm. Sold my ’70 T California blue plate sunroof withdealer installed Coolaire a/c for tens of thousands less a couple of years ago. Boy am I sorry. Original engine and tranny but unfortunately had had color change in the seventies…although a excellent job with correct Pcar Lt Ivory. I’m curious how Paul knows this is an aftermarket sunroof………looks very similar to my electric sunroof which was on the cardex as factory installed.
HI Woodie Man,
Regarding the sunroof, there are a couple of clues. A factory sunroof is fairly rare (especially on a T) and most sellers would make a point of claiming “factory sunroof.” However, the picture that shows the sunroof shows a lump under the headliner close to the windshield. It also has a curve that intrudes into the open roof part. And, the headliner part that attaches to the sunroof metal panel has a curved indent as if your hand could push it back. If you compare to factory ones, you’ll see the difference.
Cheers,
Paul
Paul- I see it now..an indent on the sunroof leading edge where it meets that odd protrusion on the windshield roof edge. Good eye….mine was definitely factory and electric…so this is a sliding sunroof? Curiouser and curiouser. Original drivetrain gone, aftermarket sunroof and someone spent a boat load of money to bring it all back together. Must have been the color, because having had also a early soft window Targa, I’m the kind of guy who only wants the original drivetrain etc…I’d say the market has left me behind.
Sure thing…no problem.
I’m a bit surprised that they decided to restore this one. I probably would’ve removed the sunroof, but that’s expensive.
I agree, unless it is a pure hotrod, there are enough numbers matching examples out there.