Big Money for Classic Porsches at Auction

1997 Porsche 993 Turbo | Image RM Sotheby's

The Taj Ma Garaj auction of Porsches and Volkswagens by RM Sotheby’s achieved sales results of $5.7 million. The 16 Classic air-cooled Porsches included in the auction represented 69% of the sales total.

The big seller was the 1957 Porsche 356A GT Speedster that sold for $1.380 million though it fell short of its pre-sale estimate of $1.5 -$2.0 million.

1957 Porsche 356A GT Speedster | Image RM Sotheby's

The one-of-a-kind 1997 Porsche 993 Turbo exceeded its pre-sale estimate by 63% bringing a price of $368,000 versus the pre-sale estimate of $225-$275,000. The former owner John Dixon spec’d this 993 Porsche through Porsche Exclusive when it was announced that the 993 would be the last of the air-cooled Porsches. Besides the paint-to-sample pearl white metallic the interior was done in supple cashmere leather with black trim and dark root wood accents. There were more than 30 special items on the order sheet including such unique features as leather trimmed turn signal and cruise control arms.

1997 Porsche 993 Turbo in Pearl White Metallic | Image RM Sotheby's

Several trends were observed at this sale regarding the Classic Porsches:

• The unique one of a kind Porsches continue to bring in the big money

• Porsche 993 models are the gold standard with the early 911’s for Porsche collectors

• However, the early Porsche 911’s (F-series) are showing some softening in prices as evidenced by the 911’s and 912’s all failing to meet pre-sale estimates

• Personal favorites, the Porsche 914-6 and G-Series Porsche 911 SC's held their own due to clean well-spec’d versions being offered.

1983 Porsche 911SC Cab & 1970 Porsche 914-6 | Images RM Sotheby's

Year Porsche Model Pre-Sale Estimate Sale Price

1951 356 Split Window Project $100-$200,000 $98,000

1952 356 Cab $375-$425,000 $299,250

1953 356 Limousine $150-$250,000 $207,200

1956 356 Speedster Dragster $5-$10,000 $6,160

1957 356A Carrera GT Speedster $1,500-$2,000,000 $1,380,000

1958 356 Sedan Delivery $100-$150,000 $86,800

1967 911 RHD Coupe $150-$200,000 $109,200

1967 911S Coupe $350-$450,000 $335,000

1969 912 Coupe $125-$175,000 $100,800

1970 914-6 $100-$125,000 $134,400

1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 $400-$450,000 $412,000

1974 911 Carrera Coupe $175-$225,000 $168,000

1983 911SC Cab $50-$75,000 $52,640

1988 911 Carrera Project $4-$8,000 $5,600

1988 911 Turbo Flat-Nose $175-$225,000 $193,200

1997 911 (993) Turbo $225-$275,000 $368,000