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We’ve seen the ways in which a rare exterior color can influence the market for a classic 911 and though we don’t across this as often we do see similar circumstances with a rare interior color. In many ways, that makes sense because as the owner it is the interior that is most apparent and provides us as drivers with our interface with the car. An interesting interior serves to inspire the feelings created within us on any drive, but a boring interior can make even some exciting cars feel more pedestrian. This all brings us to the car featured here: a Guards Red 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa with just over 34K miles on the clock and a really nice Linen leather interior.
As those of us in the Midwest and the East Coast slowly begin to extract ourselves from this abysmal winter, a car with an open top becomes mighty appealing. But since Spring is sometimes not warm enough for full open-top cruising then something like a Targa might be more appropriate. As Porsche recently has returned the Targa to its original form I do wonder what effect that might have on the market for earlier targa cars. This Velvet Red Metallic 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa takes us back to that original Targa design and features a 3.2 liter flat-six mated to the G50 5-speed transmission.
Porsche has always enjoyed providing its customers with special edition models that celebrate some aspect of the marque’s heritage. Such is the case with this 1989 Porsche 911 25th Anniversary Edition (also called the Silver Anniversary Edition) in Silver Metallic. The 25th anniversary of the 911 fell just prior to Porsche’s extensive redesign of the model that would mark the end of the classic 911 body. What better time to release a limited edition anniversary model? These cars were mechanically similar to a standard 3.2 Carrera, featuring a 3.2 liter flat-six engine producing 215 hp mated to the G50 5-speed transmission. The 25th Anniversary Edition featured a host of leather interior upgrades as well as body-colored Fuchs wheels and front and rear spoilers. Though the upgrades are simply cosmetic the 25th Anniversary models have been valued slightly higher by most collectors and with time should continue to see rising values.
The price of nostalgia. The question comes up fairly frequently: why pay so much for an older car when newer cars offer much better performance and, in some cases, cost less money? It’s a fair question, especially for a marque who takes so much pride in its racing pedigree. If we set aside collector cars, bought principally as an investment, and focus on cars intended to be driven frequently the answer to such a question becomes rather murky. For many buyers it simply comes down to nostalgia; these were cars of their youth or perhaps a buyer even owned one previously and wants to relive that experience. Those feelings are then compounded by the yearning for a car from before the period when electronics took over, safety regulations went overboard and cars simply got bigger. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that these are decisions made with the heart rather than the mind, and that does have a price. This all brings us to the car featured here: a Guards Red 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera with Tan interior. While the 3.2 Carrera remains relatively inexpensive for a 911, prices continue to rise and we’re even approaching the point where a high mileage example such as the one featured here can no longer be had for less than $20K. Such is the price of nostalgia.
The 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera we featured last month is back up for sale at the same Buy It Now price. It seems the seller is determined to get his price. Could a 911 of this vintage with this kind of mileage pull over $20,000, given where air-cooled 911 values are headed?
-Rob
