7/16/2014 Update: This 1973 Porsche 911S has now been restored and will be auctioned next month here at Gooding & Co. Their estimate is $275k-$350k.
9/15/2008 Update: This Porsche is sold. Stay tuned for more BaT Exclusives.
From 8/6/2008:
This 1973 Porsche 911S (chassis 9113300522) has been sitting since it was last registered in Texas in 1994. It runs and shifts, but needs total restoration. The color is factory Royal Purple (code 431), and the car includes the original sport seats, sunroof, and air-conditioning minus the compressor. It is now available in Seaside, California for $33k.
This car is very original and has very valuable options. The ‘S’ front spoiler is intact as are the original Fuchs alloys. We like the look of the H1 headlight as opposed to US-spec 7″ sealed beams seen so frequently. The rear of the car shows the Texas plate and the original bumpers and badging. The rust beneath the rear window is severe on the driver side and somewhat less on the passenger side.
The pan and the suspension pick-up points appear to be solid. The interior shot below shows the dome light functioning and the aftermarket Prototipo wheel. The dash, front and rear seats, and doors are all intact and the only missing item we see is the interior mirror.
The A/C makes alters the look of the dash, but many consider it a valuable option. The engine (S/N 6330827) runs but the history is relatively unknown and it will likely need a thorough inspection and rebuild.
The original VIN sticker in the driver door jamb shows 9113300522 with a build date of 11/1972. This final-year example of the early small bumper design has huge potential. We probably don’t have to tell you how demand and prices for 911S’s have gone the last two years.
It is definitely a quirky color, but we’d be interested to know how many came with this color from the factory and how many people have painted over it with something different. This would be a rare car if restored to original, and we’re willing to bet that somebody who had one back in the day would be willing to shell out big bucks for it even if it is purple!