Pursuing the Next Air-Cooled Porsche: A RoW Porsche 964

The hunt continues with the Air Brigade Commander’s search for his next Air-Cooled Porsche.  Bring-a-Trailer and PCarMarket are two sites offering fertitle ground in the car search and are looked at daily.

Stone Grey Metallic 1990 Porsche 911 type 964

If you remember, the goal is to buy a Porsche 964 in a unique color or a unique model such as an RS America.  Recently a 1990 Rest of World (RoW) Porsche 964 imported from Japan appeared on Bring-a-Trailer that was of interest.  The exterior color of Stone Grey Metallic was a unique, though conservative color, but what really stood out was the burgundy red interior.  It was stunning.

In addition, the car had many upgrades making it drive like a Porsche 964 RS but offering some creature comforts that were more desirable than what a RS offers, such as air conditioning and adjustable shock absorbers that can be tuned for a little softer ride, but yet still providing the handling for the mountain carving driving experience. 

Here is a three-minute YouTube video from @Moore-Driven911 where seller Mark Murray provides a walk-around on the car:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaLNx68ctlg

It was a fabulous car to see and drive.  It checked all the boxes for me.  You might question whether it fit the objective of a unique color, but in the grey palette it was unique and if you factor in the stunning burgundy interior, it was a winner.

Car is real, background is Ai, but it captures the essence of the test drive.

The downside, it was on BaT meaning that it was an auction.  I have grown to hate auctions because prices tend to get inflated above what they should because buyers get the red mist and buy without guardrails. 

In this case, I liked the car enough and two days prior to the end time, the car price was still in the 80’s.  Judging the final price of a modified Porsche is always tough but going on previous auctions the price only goes up 20% 40% in the final minutes which would put this car in the $125,000 range, the going price of a clean 964.  My personal estimate and high bid were $150,000 based on the modifications and unique appearance of the car.

The market said I was right, the seller said I was wrong.  The final bid was $166,500 and it was a no sale.  The seller later listed the car for sale at $195,000.  I suspect that the reserve was probably $180,000 or $185,000.

A basic belief in economics, says that if three buyers thought the car was a $160,000 - $166,000 car, then that is the value.  It is often hard to get your money out of a car when you are the one who has invested in the upgrades, and this may prove to be the point.  Sooner or later the seller will find a buyer, but will it be at that $195,000 price or will it require him to eventually discount the price down to the market indicated price in the $170,000 range?  Time will tell.

If you would like to follow the auction as it occurred, click on this @Moore-Driven911 YouTube Channel link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGlKKtRMm7E

While in Phoenix, the Commander also went to inspect and drive a 1993 Porsche RS America.  Stay tuned for the next installment that discusses thoughts on this RS America.

Other Moore-Drive911 video links of interest:

1.    Southwest Vintage Motors in Phoenix:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4XjZNQZWuA&t=5s

2.    Penske Racing Museum:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExAlCUpUTgY

3.    Driving Old CCC Road in Hendersonville, North Carolina:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiaipmgJQt4

Bring-a-Trailer Auction Listing: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-porsche-911-carrera-2-coup