Air-Cooled Porsche Price Winners to Watch in 2021

Air Brigade identifies the Air-Cooled Porsche Winners to watch in 2021 based on achieving the greatest value appreciation achieved on a percentage basis in 2020.

Air-Cooled Porsche Price Winners

Big Winners Gained More Than 20% in Value

There were seven air-cooled Porsches that gained more than 20% in value and have to be identified as the Big Winners of 2020.

As you would expect there are some very low volume collector models, but several of the higher volume models of note that many Air Brigade members own are the 1984-1986 Porsche Carrera 3.2 Coupe, the 1974-1977 Porsche 911S 2.7 Targa and the 1974-1976 Porsche 914 1.8 liter. Air Brigade had suggested that the 911 Carrera 3.2 was the ideal first air-Cooled Porsche model, but as prices rise, it may start to be out-of-reach.

Here are the seven Air-Cooled Porsche Grand Winners.

Year Model Median Grade Increase

1959 Porsche 356A Conv D $269,000 B 29%

1964 Porsche 901 2.0 $340,500 B 70%

70-72 Porsche 914/6 $123,000 B 40%

74-77 Porsche 911S 2.7 Targa $71,500 D 38%

84-86 Porsche Carrera 3.2 $77,000 C 39%

92-93 Porsche America Roadster $105,500 B 37%

74-76 Porsche 914 1.8 $13,000 C 20%

There were other strong performers within each of the air-cooled Porsche offerings that experienced positive gains, but did not reach that 20% threshold that qualified them as a Grand Winner.

Porsche 356 - 1950-1965

1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D | Courtesy RM Sotheby's

The four models that saw positive price increases included the one year only 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible Model D as noted by Air Brigade member David Linton as being desirable because it was a one year only model and offered roll-up windows in a convertible.

The three models of 356C’s and SC’s offered the most advanced 356 model since they were the last iteration plus they are still somewhat affordable if one wants to have a 356 experience.

Year(s) Model Median Grade Increase

1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D $269,000 B 29%

63-65 Porsche 356C Coupe $83,500 B 9%

63-65 Porsche 356C Cab $157,000 B 9%

63-65 Porsche 356SC Coupe $108,000 B 11%

A later article will go into detail about the entire early Porsche 356 line-up prices for 2020.

Early Porsche 911 - 1965-1973

1972 Porsche 911T Coupe

Three models from the early Porsche 911 line-up saw positive increases during 2020. All other models either experienced no change in price or a price decrease.

As expected the 1972-73 911S Coupe made the list as the darling of early Porsche collectors. The 1969-1973 911T Coupes are seeing appreciation as they offer the experience of an early Porsche 911 at half the cost of the premier collectible, the 911S.

Years Model Median Grade Increase

69-71 Porsche 911 2.7 Coupe $79,000 B 9%

72-73 Porsche 911T 2.4 Coupe $87,500 B 7%

72-73 Porsche 911S 2.4 Coupe $171,000 A 7%

A separate article will go into detail about the entire early Porsche 911 line-up prices for 2020.

Porsche 911 G-Series 1974-1989

The overlooked Carrera 3.2's offered from 1984-1986 finally got some attention in 2020 as the coupe saw a value increase of 38% while the Targa saw an 18% increase in value. As an owner of a 1986 I can attest to the value and great driving experience of the Carrera 3.2 with the 915 transmission offered from 1984-1986. The surprise price winner in 2020 was the 1974-1977 911S Targa. It is a low investment grade and a Targa that doesn't normally attract as much attention in the market as a Coupe. The median price of a comparable Coupe is $40,500 so these Targa prices must be a few sales driving the high valuation.

Years Model Median Grade Increase

74-77 Porsche 911S 2.7 Targa $71,500 D 38%

84-86 Porsche Carrera 3.2 $77,000 C 39%

84-86 Porsche Carrera Targa $45,000 C 18%

A later article will go into detail about the entire Porsche 911 G-Series line-up prices for 2020.

Porsche 964 - 1989 -1994

1990 Porsche 964 Coupe

The Porsche 964 offered between 1989 and 1994 has been another overlooked model even though an owner gets a classic 911 look with some of the modern safety and comfort features. The C4 model performed extremely well with a 16% increase in value while the C2 model saw a drop in value of 8% to a median price of $73,000. According to the market, the C4 is the model to own for conductibility but I would certain target a C2 for my personal driving desires.

Years Model Median Grade Increase

89-94 Porsche 964 C4 Coupe $103,500 C 16%

91-93 Porsche 964 C2 Turbo $201,500 C 13%

92-93 Porsche America Roadster $105,500 B 37%

A later article will go into detail about the entire Porsche 964 line-up prices for 2020.

Porsche 993 - 1995-1998

1995 Porsche 993 Coupe

The Porsche 993 has been the darling in the air-cooled world as being the last and most refined air-cooled Porsche that was offered. 2020 prices reflected the continued desirability of the Porsche 993 as the base model climbed 10% and the S Trim continued to rise with a 6% increase to a staggering median price of $218,500. Sports Car Market rates the 993 base and S-Trim as a C investment grade, but based on the past decade's performance in the market, I would say air-cooled Porsche buyers would rate it as a B investment grade.

Years Model Median Grade Increase

95-97 Porsche 993 Carrera $70,500 C 10%

97-98 Porsche 993 Carrera S $218,500 C 6%

A later article will go into detail about the entire Porsche 993 line-up prices for 2020.

Porsche 912 - 1966-1969 & 1976

1976 Porsche 912E | Courtesy of Bring-a-Trailer

Porsche 912 prices for 1966-1969 declined on average 2% so a no change for the 1976 912E was a win in the 912 line-up.

Year Model

1976 Porsche 912E Coupe Median Grade Increase

34,000 D n/c

Porsche 914/6, '73 914 2.0 and '74 914 2.0

Porsche 914 - 1970-1976

Porsche 914's continued their steady climb up in value. The 1973 and 1974 2.0 liters have always been the model to own and continues its price rise, but surprisingly prices showed a big increase in the 1974-1976 1.8 liter model. The bump in 1.8 prices is the result of the 2.0 liter climbing above that $20,000 mark that can often be the barrier to purchasing the fun, weekend toy.

Years Model Median Grade Increase

73-76 Porsche 914 2.0 $21,500 B 9%

74-76 Porsche 914 1.8 $13,000 C 20%

A later article will go into detail about the entire Porsche 914 line-up prices for 2020.

Air-Cooled Porsche Winners Continuing from 2019

Two early 911 air-cooled Porsches have set a trend showing positive gains in value in 2020 from their positive gain in value in 2019. The two models are the 1969-1971 Porsche 911 2.2 Coupe and the 1972-1973 Porsche 911T Coupe. It is expected that this trend will continue into 2021. Both of these models are still under $100,000 so they offer buyers an opportunity to have the early Porsche 911 driving experience at an “affordable” price compared to the collector grade 911S models.

1972 Porsche 911T and 1969 Porsche 911T

NOTE: The Porsches pictured are not for sale and are only illustrative of the model that saw value gains in 2020.

Tags: Air-Cooled Porsche prices. Air-Cooled Porsche Winners in 2021, Air-Cooled Porsche Winners 2020