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Almost for sale,

looking for help pricing this car for sale. My wife is almost ready to let go of her Vintage Speedster. Long story, my loss, your gain. Registered as 68 vw. Kirk sold it to me as a kit but he ended up doing the pan and assembling the entire chassis/brakes etc.. All new or rebuilt parts. I did final assy and paint and body. I have 40 years experience so I have seen the criticisms here of owner built "kit" cars but I don't see that applying here, you be the judge. Many extras, front disc, front/rear sway bars, trunk kit, Porsche Slate grey, 3 coats color, 6 clear. Car was block sanded 4 times prior to paint unlike the one time at the factory. Not knocking factory but I have more time and wanted this car right. 2 weeks spent cleaning up wheel wells alone, ( I'm not a fan of heater ducts showing- see pics). VS does nice job on door gaps but after days of work, mine are perfect. Boastful I know but tell me if I'm wrong.   ( 1965 Porsche SC engine fully professional rebuild ($10K), New Kennedy clutch, flywheel & pressure plate, correct Solex carbs etc., etc.. 12V system, all Bosch electronics. 1965 SC was THE best engine ever put in the 356's (all right, except the Carrera!).  Runs, drives, starts, stops as should. A pleasure to drive. Just 650 Kilometers!! Just broke in and sorted out. Just finished first service. Please, I know there are some opinions out there as to value, please offer your opinion so I will have some idea. I know the rare engine option makes it difficult. Thanks in advance, Scott

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Original Post

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 A good number of Speedsters have passed through my hands so I will chime in.       Your VS is absolutely stellar in every particular adding to that the engine just puts it into a unique category all by itself.  So how do you put a number on this speedster is the question and IMHO it is what ever you can command for it and that said, I would price the VS as a very clean car then add to that the engine value... Can you put a value north of  $36k plus perhaps  as all you need is one person who has done their homework and knows the "one off" value of what you have . ......  Your other option is to remove and replace the 356 engine with a decent  size VW engine and sell the 356 by itself.   Either way the speedster is a beautiful representation Scott !

 

Last edited by Alan Merklin

Scott,

Alan has been building and selling replicas longer than anyone on this site, so it would be hard to second-guess him as to value.  The unique nature of your replica is an original 356 engine.  That unique status has some positives and negatives.  On the plus side, a buyer who appreciates the OE factor would be willing to pay a premium, but, on the negative side, it would limit the pool of potential buyers.

Since you're so close to the LA area, there may be real interest in the engine by itself.  You may be able to get a much higher price if you part the engine and body, sell the Porsche engine, then replace with a VW by a reputable builder.  A little Googling around should tell you the market value for you engine, then make a decision about parting it out.

The pricing difficulty is serious, of course.  If you had a firm value as is, with the 356 engine, you could offer the engine for sale, determine your replacement engine and labor costs, then see if the extra money you would make selling the engine separately warranted the time and effort.

Sadly, that's not the case, is it?  Selling parts of a whole usually nets more money, but lengthens the sale time, and adds labor to the equation.  You may want to think about an ad to the Porsche community.  If there is a hungry buyer for your engine, he may do all the grunt work of removal and replacement.  Whatever route you take, please keep the group informed.  That's how we all learn.

Last edited by Jim Kelly

As you said, "I know the rare engine option makes it difficult.", but like Alan and Jim, I think your best bet would be to replace the engine and sell it separately.

In the current market, with a standard 1915 VW engine and good marketing to the world, it will sell for $33,000.

 I don't know the value of the Porsche engine, but with the Porsche engine, it could sell for as much as $40,000... if you find the right buyer!  But, I think that "right" buyer would be someone who would do what we are suggesting.

Good luck. 

@scottmac

Inter911 posted:

Same dilemma here.  My IM roadster has a 2.4 911S engine installed but I am pretty sure I can get more money separating the two and installing a 911T engine i have sitting on a shelf or a VW.  Almost time for that decision.  Been over 17 years with this car.

What tranny do you have the 915 5 speed?  or the 901 5 speed?  

If you do then I would take the time to advertise it with the engine and tranny intact and only if I did not get good value offers would I consider changing venues and advertising the engine alone.  

ON the other hand you could advertise the engine alone to see what you would get for it but for all the work of changing the motor it may or may not be worth it.  My real estate agent once told me the value of your house is only established when you SEE the CHEQUE..  

Much as I love old Porsche engines and especially the sound of a square port exhaust - I would avoid buying a replica with a real Porsche engine.  98% of time you don't see the engine - but you end up maintaining one!  The cost of real Porsche parts and Porsche labor rates simply scares a lot of folks (as evidence by the large replica market).  

Just trying to support idea of separating the valuable classic OEM engine from the replica. It makes it easier to value and sell the replica.

Last edited by WOLFGANG

@scottmac  beautiful speedster.  May be worth BaT with a reserve you can accept ($40-45k?).  Had I been in the market, I'd give your Speedster serious thought.  It's done very closely to how I would want.  GLWTS!!  Hoping you grab top dollar.  

I have had a number of offers on mine just by taking it to Cars & Coffee(s).  I'm shocked how many folks out there want a Speedster replica or how many have looked into the various fabricators repeatedly, but never pulled the trigger.  May be another avenue to explore~

A Beck speedster recently sold on BaT:

https://bringatrailer.com/list...06-beck-speedster-2/

 

This one we are all quite familiar with:

https://bringatrailer.com/list...he-356a-speedster-5/

 

This Beck was at auction the beginning on the year:

https://bringatrailer.com/list...-2015-factory-build/

 

....another Beck in October 2017:

https://bringatrailer.com/list...2006-beck-speedster/

 

That said, it doesn't appear that many were available prior to 2017.  Maybe BaT changed recently?

 

WOLFGANG posted:

Much as I love old Porsche engines and especially the sound of a square port exhaust - I would avoid buying a replica with a real Porsche engine.  98% of time you don't see the engine - but you end up maintaining one!  The cost of real Porsche parts and Porsche labor rates simply scares a lot of folks (as evidence by the large replica market).  

Just trying to support idea of separating the valuable classic OEM engine from the replica. It makes it easier to value and sell the replica.

Yes INDEED...a very nice car...beauty...AND.........

AINT that the truth........I can tell you FIRST hand that, which is common sense, the PORSCHE component is a firm $$$ consideration that one might/need/or NOT consider ........but its real.....and VOLUPTUOUS

I wouldnt trade the hard PURR of my IM6 for a LAMBO with breasts......but I could buy a SUBIE motor for the cost of my new carbs !

The torque/tone index of a fat 2.7 6 cylinder under tuchhhassss..is wonderful as will be that 356SC motor(a bit less torquey..likely).

Best of luck in sale..DRIVE SAFE!

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