by John Glynn | Sep 16, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices, Project Cars
The auction for the earliest LWB Porsche 911 just ended on eBay. Final price was £37,100. Assuming a quality Porsche restoration will cost at least £60,000, that makes the car £100k done. I’m sure whoever placed the winning bid thinks that will prove a good price in time, and I’m inclined to agree.
See below for a full copy of the eBay sales text. Here’s a screen shot of the bids from start to finish: the highest bid for most of the week was placed two days into the sale. The winning bid was placed twenty minutes from the finish.
That early bidder did well to judge the likely price so accurately – I wonder what stopped them going just that little bit higher.
The seller was my online Porsche friend, Brendan Mullan, up in Scotland. Here’s a copy of Brendan’s eBay sales text:
One of the most significant road cars in Porsche’s history
Chassis (VIN) number: 119200001 The First LWB Chassis Number
Engine number: 6290001 The First LWB Engine
Gearbox number: 2281682 Type 901/03
Build date: 28 June 1968
THE FIRST EVER PORSCHE 911E – MATCHING NUMBERS HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT 911
This is an amazing barn find story!
The car was discovered in a barn, where it had been for over 25 years, by two committed long term early 911 UK based enthusiast/owners and totally researched by us as genuine. Factory confirmed and virtually complete with unique colour combination. Probably the very first long wheel base (LWB) Porsche ever built. Totally unique.
First three owners were contemporary Porsche factory drivers of the day; Robs Lamplough, Paddy McNally and the immortal Jo Siffert. Built two months before actual LWB production began and used as a mule for six months at the factory. Converted by the factory from LHD to RHD for the first road driving owner. Personal letters from one of the first three owners confirming its early history. Unparalleled provenance.
This car has matching engine, gearbox and chassis (VIN) numbers. The very first ever LWB chassis (# 119000001) and the very first ever MFI E engine (# 620001). Confirmed as a factory Versuch (prototype) model, one of only three or four known to exist and this is the earliest LWB example. The car retains all its original Versuch tags with the factory prototype numbers along with the usual VIN plates. Documents on hand confirm its status. Contains a mix of SWB and LWB parts as would be expected in the summer of 1968 during testing of the new model. Unique original colour combination of light ivory exterior and red interior (all items present). Repainted black in the mid 1980’s but original colour still evident everywhere. Correct date stamped original parts, including four matching dated five and a half inch Fuchs wheels. All body panels except one front wing and the engine lid are original. Engine is complete from heat exchangers to air box. Gearbox original and complete. Original hydromatic front suspension has been replaced many years ago as most have. Interior in restorable condition. Uncracked SWB dash top. SWB rear lights. Seats, door panels, lower dash, carpets all in good to excellent condition. Original undamaged glass all round. Door pockets reasonable. Lovely date stamped steering wheel, stained and torn headlining. No hood badge.
As can be seen from the pictures the ducktail is obviously not original but the decklid grille fitted to it appears to be the correct one year only three bar 1969 grille. We have a very nice one year only 1969 decklid that will come with the car. The front seats shown in the pictures are also aftermarket replacements. We have the original red seats which are in restorable condition and will also come with the car. Although not shown in any of the pictures we also have the original bonnet.
This unique 911 will require total restoration: The shell is in a poor state and mechanical components will need a total renovation/rebuild. It will need a complete top to bottom nut and bolt rebuild but such an historically important car must be saved. Once this car is restored it will represent a benchmark example of the whole 911 development and in particular a watershed moment in the pre-impact bumper (longhood) programme.
We are both well-known contributors to early 911 forums. This is a private sale. We are not dealers. You can read all about the discovery of this amazing barn find 911 on our thread on DDK
The car is available for viewing and is currently located near Prestwick Airport in Scotland.
We would love this 911 to be bought and restored by an enthusiast who understands its position in Porsche history. We will be happy to assist any overseas buyer with transportation but any shipping and other charges will be the responsibility of the purchaser. We reserve the right to withdrawn this 911 at any stage as it may be sold elsewhere. Thanks for looking and good luck with your bidding.
An opportunity like this will never arise again. Car is sold as seen.
Please note that bidders with zero feedback should contact the seller directly before bidding as all bids with no feedback will be removed.
by John Glynn | Aug 22, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
A US friend just sent me a stack of pics from set up at the recent Mecum Auctions in Monterey, California, where Porsche entries fetched some record prices. I’m working on a post about the event, but I had to post this picture of a 356 straight away.
He calls it “put on your happy face”. It certainly brings mine out. Anyone else got Mecum or Monterey pics to share? Hit a brother up: mail@ferdinandmagazine.com.
by John Glynn | May 22, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
This Bill Gates Porsche 911 Turbo story has been doing the Internet rounds for a couple of days, but some of you may not have seen it. It is definitely worth following!
Bill Gates’ 1979 930 is for sale on an Austrian auction site. The car has apparently covered 89,000 miles, but was restored in 2011, with fresh paint and an engine rebuild paid for by the current owner, a year after it was imported to Austria.
As a ’79, it is of course a 3.3-litre, with the 4-speed transmission. Though it seems in good shape, any prospective buyers would be well advised to have a closer inspection. Early 930s can need more than engine rebuilds at this stage and it did live in Seattle: rain capital of the USA.
One thing you can be sure of is a decent history: Bill is not short of a bob or too. With the best 930s now being offered (perhaps slightly optimistically) at close to £50k in the UK – a LHD car should be expected to fetch more. Add in the kudos of Bill’s original Bill of Sale and who knows what it might fetch.
I’ve driven plenty of 4-speed 930s in the UK, Europe and the USA. Even in the best condition, they can be difficult to get excited about on a twisty mountain road. I don’t think that this car would be worth fortunes to me, but then I’ve been a fan of the 3-litre normally aspirated 911s and a Steve Jobs/Apple Mac user for many years!
What do you think it will sell for? Add your views in the comments. This story came in from Matthew (thanks Matt): email me with other interesting stuff you might see. We are always looking for interesting feature cars. Follow Ferdinand to keep in touch with all the Porsche stories we share online.
by John Glynn | Mar 9, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
Just tweeted the Drendel Porsche Collection sale at Amelia Island and it was terrific fun. Here’s a list of my tweets, with the prices fetched in the hall – add the premium to get the buyers’ actual bill. Quite a few world records, as expected. Gooding will no doubt have a huge press release on this.
Best result? Take your pick: Martini 935 at $2.3 Million, Baby Turbo which sold for a stunning $2.95 Million or the 917/30 at $4 Million! Here are the tweets:
- We are THREE CARS away from a ton of big-money classic Porsches at @GoodingCompany in Amelia Island. Stay tuned!
- 1960 #Porsche 356B Roadster in Silver with Blue/Blue makes $135k at @GoodingCompany. Tons of start bids, painfully slow finish in 2.5s.
- Drendel Collection NOW ON SALE. First car is a 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S.
- #Porsche 944 Turbo S has just 700 miles from new. Unreal. Makes a SUPER SWEET $75k at @GoodingCompany. $10k past high estimate.
- The Martini #Porsche 935 now on the stand at @GoodingCompany. Hall is buzzing.
- The #Drendel Martini #Porsche 935 makes $2.3 MILLION at @GoodingCompany. Holy mother: $300k past high estimate.
- NOW! Bell/Holbert’s ex-Le Mans 1980 Porsche 924 GTP on the stand. All other cars owned by the factory. #Drendel @GoodingCompany
- Ex-Le Mans 1980 Porsche 924 GTP makes a slow $350k – seems value for money…
- 1997 #Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution on the stand. #Drendel @GoodingCompany – Bids at $825k and heading north
- Make that $950k on the phone
- $975k on the GT1 – still bidding. Phone is out.
- $1.05 Million against the phone for the GT1 #Porsche at @GoodingCompany
- (Tweet chat to @GTPorsche: Yes I think the 924 was a good buy. Gooding including their premium – my numbers in the hall. Good fun sale.)
- 1990 #Porsche 944 Cab makes $36k – well past high estimate. Now 934 on the rostrum. On $650k at the mo.
- Peach of a #Porsche 934 selling well cheap at $650k and slow to go.
- 1976 #Porsche 934 in top colour, ex-Le Mans class winner sells for $810k – new money came in at $725k when looked all over.
- 1987 McLaren MP4/3 Formula 1 on the stage NOW – 1000hp with spare engine. Charlie takes a start bid of $200k straight in
- McLaren going frigging ballistic
- $780k for the McLaren F1 car – Porsches look cheap against it! Talk about last minute save at $640k – GRIPPING AUCTION with HEAVY bidding
- Derek Bell now on the stage talking about the next lot – sale just down the road from his FL house #Porsche 1984 962
- Winningest #Porsche in history?! For sale for first time ever. 1984 Porsche 962 opens at $1 MILLION
- Finish of $1.75 MILLION on phone for 1984 #Porsche 962. Low estimate was $1.75M. Slow to get there.
- WORLD RECORD FOR A #PORSCHE 962
- 1986 #Porsche 944 Turbo Cup starts at just $20k – nuts but we’ll see where it goes
- 1986 #Porsche 944 Turbo Cup low estimate of $65k – finishes at $72k. Like pulling great big rooted teeth here.
- 1974 #Porsche RSR Carrera Turbo 2.14 starts at a mill. Baby Turbo on sale. Low estimate $1.75M – now $2M
- Baby Turbo makes $2.95M in room at @GoodingCompany #Porsche 911 RSR. Very strong bidding – such a thrill to watch. Blitzes estimates.
- ONE CAR TO GO TO THE 917/30 #PORSCHE AT GOODING OMG OMG OMG
- Auction Fever – #Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone makes well past high estimate at a healthy $66k @GoodingCompany – the mega 917/30 is up next.
- OK – this is the BIG ONE. Ultimate #Porsche 917: most powerful road racing car EVER. One of only 6 built. 0-60 in 2 seconds.
- #Porsche 917/30 hits a killer $4 Million at @GoodingCompany. One bid from 2.6 to 3 tried to freeze the rest but failed. High est $4M
- This is such a great #Porsche sale – now we have the Boss 944 GTP sold without reserve. Fantastically famous car opens at $200k.
- Who is keeping total score here? Guess I’d better add it up! Still four more #Drendel #Porsche cars to go after 944.
- $280k for the #Porsche 944 GTP. Now a Holbert 962 with truckload of spares. 9 wins and 17 podiums. Starts at $500k.
- Holbert #Porsche 962 sells at $850k
- 1992 #Porsche 968 Turbo RS starts well below low estimate at $100k, but soon hits low estimate of $250k.
- Great result for #Porsche 968 Turbo RS at $315k – $10k off top estimate
- 1980 Parnelli #Porsche Indy Car sluggish bids to $200k – fails to hit low estimate of $350k. #Surprised #UNSOLD
- FINAL #Drendel #Porsche at @GoodingCompany is the 1995 911 (993) GT2. Low estimate $375k. ON SALE at $255k now.
- Last #Drendel #Porsche 911 993 GT2 sells amongst very busy $5k bid increments for $325k. Everyone exhausted!! Low estimate was $375k.
- Thanks to everyone who didn’t unfollow me through the #Drendel tweets! What a great sale – top day for #Porsche fans.
If you need any help tweeting, or understanding how to or why regards Twitter, my company Mighty Motor Media looks after social media including Facebook and Twitter for Porsche companies in many different countries. We can help anyone get the most from these platforms.
Email me at john@mightymotormedia.com or give me a ring on +44 77 911 19151 to chat through any questions you might have.
by John Glynn | Feb 27, 2012 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices, Road Trips
The 2012 Essen Techno Classica is now just three weeks away. With seventeen halls packed to capacity by car manufacturers, classic car clubs, historic vehicle dealers, parts suppliers and more, Techno is the world’s biggest classic car fair: I never miss it.
It’s an incredible feast of Porscheness, as well as a great place to see cars from historic collections of the manufacturers including BMW and Mercedes. Every year brings something new, and the auctions and privately-owned cars offered for sale around the fair are also quite exciting.
Where to stay for Essen is always a dilemma. I’ve done Dusseldorf and trained it to the show, Essen and walked in, nearby Oberhausen and driven in and without a doubt walking is the best option. Driving is ridiculous and the train should be the alternative to walking. Parking near the show is IMPOSSIBLE so don’t even consider it: park down the road and catch a bus or cab if needs be. I’m staying at a hotel 7 mins from the show by tube!
I’ll be at the show as Mighty Motor Media: solo and with UK and European clients. I’m arriving Wednesday and leaving on Saturday morning (last show day is Friday). It would be great to meet like-minded Porsche fans and perhaps a potential new social media customer at the fair: drop me a line if you plan to be there and maybe we can hook up for a coffee?
You can email me at mail@ferdinandmagazine.com. Let me know your plans for Essen and whether we can get together.
I’m spending two days after the show in that part of Europe, looking for some Porsche features. If you’ve got something that would make a good story, give me a shout!
