Sprechen Sie Deutsche?
Porsche needs no translation...even motorheads in Detroit appreciate Zuffenhausen’s finest.
We have recently spent some quality time talking cars with auto enthusiast Richard Sloan. Richard is a walking encyclopedia of automobiles…
In case you missed out...in Part One, we discussed Richard’s experiences attending the Barrett-Jackson in Arizona. Part Two covered this year’s auction and highlighted a few special rides ..along with a couple of cars whose skyrocketing value’s have left a vapor trail reminiscent of Google’s (GOOG-NASDAQ) first year on the Nasdaq.
Richard, you told us about your first car, the ‘63 Bonneville, and your subsequent love affair with American muscle cars. When did the Porsche bug bite?
I always liked the cars but could not afford them. When I was thirteen years old I read Road & Track and Car and Driver.
I was hooked.
I would go to the local Porsche dealer and drool over the cars...I could walk there from my house.
Most people are familiar with the 356 model. Are these cars collectible and how much do they cost? Is there any chance they appreciate like those ‘Cuda’s?
The 356 was produced from the late 1940’s to 1965...and did not evolve much over the years. The made close to 70,000 during the production run...the car was affectionately called the “bath tub”. They were fun to drive and dirt cheap for many years...an $1,800 car when new. But nothing will ever appreciate like a ‘Cuda!
The Speedster was made from ‘55 to ‘57 and still command big money.
This correct and restored example with matching numbers and colors will bring from $80,000 to $150,000. Pretty pricey for a Porsche without a gas gauge...you have to insert a stick in the gas tank located in the front bonnet and measure your left over petrol.
The crown jewel is the 356 T 6 Carrera 2GS coupe series with a 4-cam engine.
Porsche produced 310 units and they are worth up to $400,000 today. To get numbers like that it would have to be a mint example with excellent provenance.
What car was James Dean driving on September 30, 1955?
He was killed in his 1955 Porsche RS 1800 Spyder. They were produced from 1955 to ‘61...and are worth from $800,000 to $1.1 million today.
Live Fast, Die Young. His car was cool. Have you ever sold a 904 model?
No...unfortunately not. They are quite rare. They change hands in the seven-figures.
What year was the 911 introduced?
The 911 made its debut in late 1965. Jerry Seinfeld owns the first air-cooled 911 Porsche ever made... here is a picture of that very car. Check out the license plate....
The funny man also owns the last air-cooled 911 Porsche made...a 1998 C4S in Riviera Blue. Once again the license plate says it all…
Amazing bookends on a historic production run. What can you tell us about the Porsche RSR...that car seems to get pulses racing.
A real RSR can fetch $700,000 to $850,000. You can buy a clone for $60,000 to $120,000. Here is a clone I currently have in storage.
We paid homage to Steve McQueen in an earlier piece..what is the story with the racing cars featured in his famous movie Le Mans ?
The 917 put Porsche on the racing map...it was powered by a Type 912 flat 12-engine of 4.5, 4.9 or 5 litres. The long-tailed version of the 917 was capable of 0-62 in less than 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 248 MPH.
In the ‘73 CanAm series the turbocharged Porsche 917/30 developed over 1100 bhp and as much as 1500 in qualifying tune.
It is certainly one of the most iconic racing cars of all time...in the movie the car might have been a bigger star than McQueen!
Two all-time classics there. The 917 is a tough act to follow. What’s up with those 914’s...were they even Porsche’s or some kind of Volkswagen?
It was no Bug. The 914 was made from 1970 to ‘76 and almost 100,000 were produced worldwide. It had fairly nimble handling and its cost, sometimes under $2,000, made it affordable to everyone. Nice examples sell for around $5,000 up to $20,000 for extremely mint condition.
There was a small production run of a 914-6, which was assembled in Germany. Only 3,360 were produced over a two-year period. They were powered by a 2.0L flat six similar to the 1969 911T. A nice example brings around $30,000 today. Here is one in a rare color...
Rarer still was a version was a car produced in 1972 called the 916 GT...only 11 were built. It is pictured below...
The cars were considered “pre-production”. It has a 914 body...flared fenders...larger wheels and tires. It had a steel top compared with the targa top of the 914’s Porsche added a six-cylinder 190 horsepower engine from the 911S. This car was no joke...since it was lighter than the 911 it was the fastest Porsche of its era...0-60 under 7 seconds. Only one car was shipped to the United States....these rarities sell for around $200,000 if you can find one.
The 930 Turbo was a game changer. When did they hit the market?
The 930 Turbo came to the U.S. in 1975...it is arguably the greatest sports car of all-time.
Alright take us through some...
Here is one of seven 1988 Turbo Slant Nose Targa’s produced...
Here is a 1989 911 Turbo in an
optional “paint to sample” Ferrari fly yellow color...
This is one of three ‘89 Turbo’s with slant nose delete option.
Perhaps the most coveted were 28 examples of the ‘89 Turbo Slant Nose cabriolet...
this car has only 211 miles on it.
Black Porsche’s...there is no substitute. The 959 supercar was hailed by the automotive press as a feat of engineering when they were introduced in the late 1980’s...have you ever had one?
I have sold two 959’s This one had the exposition clause making it exempt from some of the EPA and DOT regulations...the car absolutely screams!!!
...Thanks Richard, lets pick up the story again next weekend after I beg Level 3 Communications (LVLT-NASDAQ) and Internap (INAP-NASDAQ) for more bandwidth. We still have a lot of ground to cover...never a problem in a Porsche!
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No positions in any securities mentioned. The content contained in this blog represents the opinions of 1440 Wall Street. This commentary in no way constitutes a solicitation of business or investment advice. It is intended solely for the entertainment of the reader, and the author.
You better get someone to proof read these articles, Richard, whoever that is is really off base on his prices, he says 356 type cars were around $1800.00 new, there were no 356 cars around 1800.00 they were all over approx $3000.00 and very expensive for their day, likewise the 914 was never under $2000.00, but more like $6000.00 for the 914-6, and the 914-4 was around $4000.00
great cars ! I would love to have at least one of them
Black Porsche’s...there is no substitute. The 959 supercar was hailed by the automotive press as a feat of engineering when they were introduced in the late 1980’s.
loveley picture of the 916 GT
What id give to see one, let alone own one.
Beautiful....
Those classic vehicles are awesome. I prefer them over some the new Bentley and Ferrari. Just buy and install a good booster, and it probably can do 0-60 in less than 3 secs.
Where did you go to dig up all these pictures?
Bunch of them are from Richards private collection of stuff...love your site btw
Absolutley superb Pics dude. Would love a slant nose !
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