It’s been said recently that the mid-year 911s (1974-77) will be the next generation of Porsche’s venerable air-cooled masterpiece to really take off in value. By the look of things this very attractive 1974 Carrera is leading the charge!
Model year 1974 rang in many changes for the 911, some well-received, some not so much. The so-called “impact bumper” made its first appearance that year, replacing the more delicate chrome bumpers worn by all previous 911s. Conformity with US crash impact standards required the beefier bumpers, but Porsche master stylist Tony Lapine designed an elegant and attractive solution. Out back, engine capacity was increased from 2.4l to 2.7l in three levels of tune – base 911 with 150bhp and 173lbs/ft torque, 911S (175bhp/174 lbs/ft) and Carrera (210bhp). Unfortunately for Americans the Carrera powerplant (from the famous 1973 Carrera RS) was still not approved for US emissions standards so US Carreras sported the “S” engine.
The car on auction is a “Carrera” albeit with some tasty upgrades, most notably the very desirable sports seats. The transmission is the usual 5-speed, with lower ratios. This may be good or bad, depending on your proposed use for the car. Maybe not so great for highway cruising, but nice around town and at the track with added low-end grunt. This car looks great in Grand Prix White with the buerzel (ducktail) spoiler and Ruf-style front valance. The only thing I’m not feeling is the wheels – they need black centers pronto.
Seller reports he is a long-term (15 years) owner of the car, and that various upgrades have been performed. The most important of these addresses the infamous “camchain tensioner” issue. While the standard upgrade is to change to “Carrera” (i.e. 1984 model year) tensioners, the seller states that the tensioners have been “rebuilt”… further querying required on this. Also, what’s up with the speaker enclosure on the back deck combined with radio delete??
Mid-year 911s have long been the poor relations in the collector Porsche family. While “longhoods” (1964-73.5) and especially short-wheelbase (1964-68) cars have skyrocketed in value of late, the 1974-77 models have lagged. Whether the reason was their (marginally) poorer performance, slightly increased weight, impact-bumper styling, or poor engine reliablity (especially on 1975-77 “thermal reactor” cars) the middies just haven’t taken off in value. Recent trends, however, seem to indicate that this may change. As longhood values grow out of reach for many, the relatively lightweight middies with their narrow-body vintage appeal are becoming more and more attractive, and this demand will drive prices upwards. The particular car on auction certainly seems to bear out this trend.
-Dallas
This car is already bid over its value IMO. I would expect the sale on eBay would not actually go through.
The mid year cars are not going anywhere in price. Non galvinized cars with the lousey 2.7 motor and heavy impact bumpers. You can buy a nie 78-83 SC for a lot less than that silly bid on eBay and the SC is a heck of a lot better car.
I always get a kick out of the BS sellers put in their adds.
Thanks for the comment, Jim!
I am a big believer in the market setting the price – I think that the fact this one has been bid over $22K is indicative of mid-year cars trending upwards. I’m not sure why you would immediately assume that the sale would not close…? However I agree that the price bid for this car is big money for a middie.
I also agree that an SC is probably a much better car for all the reasons you point out. However, as you know, the fact that a different model is objectively “the better car” is often irrelevant in the world of Porsche values… for example a ’73 Carrera RS is a $200K+ car when a ’74 RoW Carrera with the same motor (and production numbers of only 1,036 vs. 1,590 for the RS!) will bring a mere fraction of that.
Drive the 73 and the 74 and you’ll understand why.
When ebay was young you would see markets that were out of line with reality, all be it usually on the low side.
The way eBay is used today by so many dealers, collectors, wholesaleers etc. You wont see someone paying up well over fair value on these cars and you wont find any rediculous steals.
Its an interesting car but nothing special, the wider 16 inch 7 and 8 fuchs are worth a couple extra bucks, the RUF yellow bird copied front bumper actually takes value away. This car wuold be worth more if it were all original, and its nowhere close.
All in all it looks like a very nice car. For 22k you can get a very nice G50 Carrera (87 to 89) and its a whole lot better car which wont rust.
>You wont see someone paying up well over fair value on these cars and you wont find any rediculous steals.
That’s my point — values on 74-77 cars are going up. Doesn’t matter that SC’s are “better” but sell for less. A G50 Carrera is “better” than a longhood “S” but which does the market value more?
I dont agree. The value of a plain old middie (74-77) realy is not going anywhere and thats because the SC’s are better cars and plentiful.
The head service writer here has a 74 ROW car with about 40k on it in pristine condition all original and its a sweet old 911 but its not exactly a desirable car and anyone looking would probably buy an SC for the same money.
Not sure how to add a new post to this blog but here is an interesting RSA at a decent price.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/1547933401.html
We have a 1974 Porche 911 SC with 63000 original miles in very good condition and we are wondering what it is worth.
Anna a 1974 could not be an “SC”. The SC was not introduced until 1978. Can you post some more details about your car and I can give you some pricing feed back. I have owned more than 2 dozen ir cooled 911’s over the past 15 or more years.
trader220@comcast.net
1974 Porsche 911 how many # are suppose to be on the VIN . The one I have is 10 #.
We are trying to find out more.
What we know right now is
1974 Porsche 911
63000 mile
2.7 lt
flip out wing windows
body type 2 door on title and nothing under the model
will the vin # tell you more info.
ok I have the vin # I have found out it is a 911 1974 Targa and it was the 2998 made. Now can some one tell me what it is worth
anna
your car being low miles may scare a potintial buyer away from a mid year, the reason i say this is that most higher millage cars have had the 2.7 blues addressed like head studs tensioners etc. as jim states above the sc cars have the reputation for being a superior car, but what i will say is that some very nice mid years un molested will bring a higher price over the average run of the mill.these cars have a few things going for them to a buyer not a seller, one if well maintained the motors has updates and can be dependable, being a chrome car they are classy looking. anna if your car is very nice and has records with it, price the car between a average midyear price and average SC price. this should put you in a good position to sell.
Hey guys someone decoded my vin # but I lost the info . This is the VIN# 9114102998. And can you tell me how many 1974 Porsche 911 Sahara Beige were made.
I do have some records on this car, in great condition. Original spare, jack, tool kit , air pump and book. Thanks Anna
You have quoted the VIN for a 911 (Non-S) Coupe “G Series”. There were 4,014 911 Coupes produced in the G Series, production ran from 8/73 to 7/74. There are no records that I know of that break production numbers down by colour. The non-S engine was the base 150hp variant which is less desirable than the S, obviously. Extreme high end value for this car would be mid-teens, I think. So much depends on cosmetic and mechanical condition that it is impossible to say… could be worth $15000, could be worth $1500.