The Authoritative Porsche Scottsdale Auction Preview

Every year I get really excited when early Auction season rolls around. There’s always some interesting stuff coming across the auction block, and the Scottsdale, Arizona sales kick off the year with a great start. In years past, we’ve seen 904s, 906s, RS61 Spyders, a handful of 959s, dozens of speedsters, a few 2.7 RS, and rare race cars. This year, sadly, there is very little of that. There are a few interesting rarities, which we’ve highlighted below. Unfortunately, it seems that as the inflation of the Porsche bubble market continues, the auction houses are forced to seek out lesser cars to fill their catalog. This year, there are only two Porsche lots that even have a chance of cresting the magic million dollar mark, and they’re even auctioning a “lowly” 1.7 liter 914-4 (albeit a really nice one). Is the Porsche bubble popping? Is this an indication that sellers are more reluctant to sell their uber-collectibles? Granted this is only the first of many major auctions this year, and we’ll continue bringing coverage of all of them just to be sure. Maybe the results will surprise us.

Bonhams

Bonhams has my three personal favorite Porsche lots of the entire auction week in these three highlighted here. I’m always intrigued by anything with a Fuhrmann 4-cam engine, so they’ve definitely checked that box. The fact that they’ve brought out a couple of mid-year 2.7 liter cars is a bit surprising, as those have historically been hardly collectible, usually far from it in fact. The 2010 Panamera Turbo lot is also surprising, as it isn’t traditional Bonhams fashion to sell what amounts to ‘just a used car’ that is still on the downward side of it’s depreciation curve.

Lot 28 – 1962 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 GS Coupe (Est. $650,000 – 800,000)

Chassis: 120840   Engine: P97311 
This 356 Carrera 2 GS Coupe is being touted as ‘among the finest Carrera models’ for sale anywhere. This car features a factory sunroof, which is one of the rarest varieties of 356 ever, supposedly with only 27 Sunroof-equipped Carreras ever leaving the factory. The recent restoration in 2013 was done to exacting standards, and the car has since won a number of awards, preparing it for the next owner perfectly. The car is eligible for any number of concours events, tours, and rallies. Documentation is included with the car in the form of a Porsche certificate of authenticity, the original Kardex card, and factory letters documenting the car’s originality.

The Porsche does not feature its original engine, unfortunately, as the Kardex repair card indicates a factory replacement early in its life. That said, the transmission is still the one fitted when new, and all of the body panels seem to match with the correct stamping numbers. Outside, the car has been refinished in original Ruby Red paint, giving the 356 a striking appearance. Inside, similarly striking, is black leatherette with grey corduroy seat inserts.

This car was delivered new to a Dr. Wolfgang Zerna, a professor in Hannover, Germany. In the late 1960s the car changed hands briefly to a man named Robert Duffner, who in turn sold the car, shipping it to San Francisco (Charles Jopes). In the early 1970s, Jopes sold the car to Seth Anderson. Anderson was the originator of the correspondence with the factory, seeking to know more about the car he’d purchased. Klaus Bischof, then manager of the Porsche Museum, told Mr. Anderson that his car was “a rare and special car”. Anderson went on to own the car for 37 years, only selling in 2008 to Mr. Chuck Lawson of Dallas. After an exhaustive 4-year restoration, the car emerged in 2013 more perfect than it had ever been.

Lot 46 – 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7L (Est. $600,000 – 800,000)

Chassis: 9113601446   Engine: 6631401
This Carrera RS 2.7 is among the better ones to come to auction recently, featuring a numbers-matching running gear. While this is a touring model, and one of the later production units, its value shouldn’t be hurt too much by those facts. The one detriment to the car is its lack of provenance. This Carrera’s history is not well known, and only merely guessed at. The Porsche was in Germany for its early life, but in the 80s it was believed to have been purchased and brought to the United Kingdom. The UK owner was believed to be Mr. Ian Fitzmartin. In the 90s, Fitzmartin moved to the US, but left the car behind in Old Blighty for restoration work. In the late 1990s, the car was transported to Japan where it was admitted into an unknown private collection. In 2003 the car was transported to the US, and by 2005 it was transferred into the ownership of Pierre Ehert in California.

This Porsche has not been restored since the 1990s, though only because it does not need it. The work done in the UK in the 90s was apparently above board, and reportedly remains looking quite nice. Finished in Grand Prix white with red accent, this is the iconic look that many Carrera collectors are looking for. For a car that features its original engine, and doesn’t have any ‘stories’, this could be an excellent driver-grade purchase for many collectors. This is a car that can, and should, be used on a frequent basis. Recently, in fact, the car has been out on vintage rallies such as the Copperstate 1000, and “Going to the Sun”. Being that the car doesn’t have its original paint, and the restoration is an older one, it’s difficult to see this Carrera crest the million dollar mark, and Bonham’s estimate seems about right.

Lot 94 – 1993 Porsche 911 Strosek Mega Speedster (Est. $180,000 – 220,000)

People often want to talk about rarity when it comes to collectible Porsches, and it doesn’t get much rarer than this one. Based on a 964 Speedster, of which only just under a thousand were produced, the Strosek Mega Speedster is one of only 15 cars so modified by the German tuning company. Bonhams, in their listing for the car, describes Strosek as “whimsical”, and I think that’s the best way to put it. This car must be driven with a sense of whimsy, because it certainly looks like nothing else ever built.

From new, the Speedster was fitted with Turbo-look rear bodywork, custom aerodynamic front fenders with “poly-elipsoid” headlights molded in, special aero exterior mirrors, 17 inch OZ racing wheels, custom Strosek suspension tuning, and custom Maritime Blue leather interior trim. Needless to say, this is a unique Porsche. Does it need to be added to your collection? Well, if you’ve got a couple hundred grand and the necessary whimsy, I say it is definitely worth a second glance. I’d certainly buy it if I could.

Other Bonhams Porsche Lots For Sale

Lot 2 – 1975 Porsche 911S 2.7 ‘Silver Anniversary’ (Est. $70,000 – 90,000)

Lot 11 – 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0L (Est. $225,000 – 275,000)

Lot 14 – 1969 Porsche 911S 2.0L Targa (Est. $135,000 – 165,000)

Lot 22 – 1970 Porsche 914 1.7L (Est. $30,000 – 40,000)

Lot 24 – 1970 Porsche 911T 2.2L Coupe (Est. $90,000 – 120,000)

Lot 30 – 1964 Porsche 356SC Cabriolet (Est. $200,000 – 250,000)

Lot 32 – 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe (Est. $45,000 – 65,000)

Lot 56 – 1969 Porsche 911S 2.0 Coupe (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 61 – 1964 Porsche 356C Coupe (Est. $80,000 – 100,000)

Lot 68 – 1977 Porsche 911S 2.7L Targa (Est. $60,000 – 80,000)

Lot 75 – 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo (Est. $45,000 – 55,000)

Lot 83 – 1967 Porsche 911S 2.0L Coupe (Est. $160,000 – 200,000)

Lot 85 – 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 Targa (Est. $75,000 – 100,000)

Lot 88 – 1978 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L (Est. $200,000 – 240,000)

Lot 91 – 1968 Porsche 911 2.0L Targa (Est. $75,000 – 100,000)

Lot 106 – 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (Est. $70,000 – 90,000)

Lot 111 – 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7L Coupe (Est. $130,000 – 150,000)

Lot 114 – 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Continental Coupe (Est. $140,000 – 180,000)

Gooding & Co –

Gooding’s Arizona offerings this year are similarly lacking to the rest of the field. There isn’t really any Porsche that makes you stand up and shout, which they’ve certainly had a few of in the recent past. The two standouts below have been rapidly appreciating in recent years, and feature among the best cars Porsche ever made. With all due respect to the Carrera 3.2, and especially the G50-transmission-equipped models, I’m not sure such a driving experience is worth close to six figures. Is it possible that I’m wrong, and the 3.2 liter is the next ‘classic’ to appreciate on a rocket-ship trajectory? Absolutely. As with most things, time will tell.

Lot 011 – 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo S (Est. $450,000 – 500,000)

With only 22,000 miles on the clock, this 993 Turbo S has not lived a strife-inflicted life, and features as an almost-new example of one of the most sought after Porsches in recent years. The Turbo S is an extraordinarily rare version of the venerable 993, and this might be one of the best examples to hit the market in a long time. The car was ordered brand new in Texas, and features a laundry list of optional add-ons, which obviously drove the car’s original purchase price sky high. One of just 176 Turbo S models shipped to the US market, this Porsche features gorgeous Ocean Blue Metallic paint and equally beautiful tan leather interior. Options include footwell lighting, door storage compartment lighting, CD holders, a Carbon/Leather steering wheel (I’ll be honest, not my favorite style of wheel), other carbon interior accents, and aluminum for the handbrake, instrument surrounds, and shift knob.

This 993 comes with all of the paperwork you could ever want for a car, including the Porsche COA, Carfax, Autocheck, original window sticker, factory books in their proper case, data cards, pamphlets, and vouchers. Also included are two sets of keys, the original tool roll, unused air compressor, unused spare tire, umbrella, factory car cover, first aid kit, and emergency roadside reflective triangle. It is obvious that this car was cared for in its life, and would make an excellent addition to fill that 993 Turbo S shaped hole in your collection. Perhaps Rudy will buy it.

Lot 035 – 2005 Porsche Carrera GT (Est. $1,100,000 – 1,400,000)

Carrera GT values have continued to astound (and frankly confound) me over the last year. If you’ll recall, I went a little bit crazy when CGT values jumped into the half-million dollar range about a year ago. Well, that just goes to show what I know. If you’d bought one of those Carrera GT models 12 months ago, you’d have at least doubled your investment by selling today. Seems like a pretty good return to me.

There were only 1270 Carrera GT (Type 980) built between 2004 and 2007, so finding one is the first bit of difficulty. These days there always seems to be one for sale, though, so perhaps that point is moot. However, finding one in this condition might be a little more difficult. This particular Carrera GT has only traversed just shy of 450 miles, making it a collector’s dream. Unfortunately that means that this car will probably never be driven, which is a travesty, because the Carrera GT may be one of the best supercars ever built.

Another thing that makes this car unique is the fact that it was built to order by a prominent Ferrari collector, who wanted the absolute best of everything, and ordered his Carrera GT to be perhaps the most expensive build Porsche created in the model run. The car, numbered 1081, was first ordered in paint-to-sample Rosso Scuderia, a famous Ferrari motorsport color, with custom dark grey leather interior. Next, the buyer ticked all of the options boxes, kitting the car with XT bucket seats, air conditioning, fitted luggage, and a CD radio. Then the CGT was given the Porsche Exclusive treatment with a carbon fiber steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum finish loudspeaker covers, custom silver painted brake calipers, and colormatched center-locking wheels. The MSRP of this Carrera GT was a whopping $482,500. There were only about 35 Carrera GT models delivered in paint-to-sample colors, so if you want one, this may be one of your only opportunities.

Other Gooding & Co. Porsche Lots For Sale

Lot 003 – 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster (Est. $300,000 – 400,000)

Lot 016 – 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0L (Est. $250,000 – 300,000)

Lot 040 – 1964 Porsche 356 SC Coupe (Est. $130,000 – 160,000)

Lot 042 – 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L Coupe (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 052 – 1978 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L (Est. $130,000 – 160,000)

Lot 054 – 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 058 – 1971 Porsche 911S 2.2L Targa (Est. $170,000 – 200,000)

Lot 101 – 1973 Porsche 911T 2.4L Coupe (Est. $90,000 – 110,000)

Lot 106 – 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3.8L (Est. $250,000 – 300,000)

Lot 108 – 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster (Est. $350,000 – 425,000)

Lot 110 – 1965 Porsche 911 (Est. $250,000 – 300,000)

Lot 117 – 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 119 – 1962 Porsche 356B Coupe (Est. $90,000 – 120,000)

Lot 136 – 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 141 – 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo (Est. $275,000 – 325,000)

Lot 146 – 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2L (Est. $80,000 – 100,000)

Lot 148 – 1961 Porsche 356B Super Roadster (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

RM Sothebys

RM Sotheby’s Porsche offerings are similarly stark in comparison to previous years. Like other auction houses, RM is also betting heavily on the impact-bumper era of Porsche 911s, which I find interesting. They do have a few of the ‘blue-chip stocks’ as it were, featuring a 911 Speedster, a 356 Speedster, and a soft-window Targa 911. Among the collections offered in Scottsdale, there seems to be a lot of 930s floating around, so this could be a banner year for 930 sales as well. The unique and rare cars seem to be lacking from RM, though, with the exception of just this one unique APAL-built runabout.

Lot 104 – 1962 APAL Porsche 1600 GT Coupe (Est. $80,000 – 100,000)

APAL (Application Polyester Armé de Liège) was a fiberglass manufacturer in Belgium in the 60s and 70s, producing a number of Volkswagen-based cars, including dune buggies and replica Porsche Speedsters that were popular for a number of years in Europe. Edmond Pery, founder of APAL, wanted to produce something a little sportier, so he penned this diminutive sporting coupe. The car, influenced more than a little by Porsche’s famous Abarth GTL Carrera, featured a strengthened Volkswagen floorpan and a slinky lightweight fiberglass coupe bodyshell. The wheelbase of this car is nearly a foot longer than that of a contemporary 356, but fitted with only 2 seats, the car fits even tall folk comfortably, as well as reasonable luggage space.

About 150 APAL coupes were produced, and the majority of them relied heavily on VW underpinnings. A short run of about 30 cars, however, feature many Porsche-spec items underneath, including 356B engines, transaxles, brakes, wheels, seats, interior trim, and instruments. This car is among those 30, and that makes it quite a sporting machine. Weighing in at just 1400 pounds, the APAL-Porsche models were much less than a comparable 356, and were quite effective at circuit racing, hillclimbs, and rallies.

This particular chassis was delivered to Germany for racing purposes. Over the years, the car passed through South Carolina, before coming to rest with noted Porsche specialist Tom Trabue. Trabue cared for the car for nearly 30 years. A few years ago, the car was sold to a Porsche vintage racer in Southern California, who embarked on a full restoration of the APAL. After the restoration completed, the car was unveiled at the 2013 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, to great fanfare. Nobody really knows how many were produced in Porsche-spec, and there is no idea of how many are still accounted for, so this might be a unique opportunity for a unique car.

Other RM Sotheby’s Porsche Lots For Sale

Lot 253 – 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster (Est. $325,000 – 400,000)

Lot 124 – 1960 Porsche 356B Cabriolet (Est. $175,000 – 200,000)

Lot 259 – 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI (Est. $300,000 – 375,000)

Lot 143 – 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 K-Jet (Est. $100,000 – 125,000)

Lot 216 – 1968 Porsche 911S Soft Window Targa (Est. $200,000 – 250,000)

Lot 123 – 1967 Porsche 911S Coupe (Est. $250,000 – 300,000)

Lot 233 – 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 134 – 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo (Est. $200,000 – 250,000)

Lot 172 – 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo “Slant Nose” (Est. $175,000 – 225,000)

Lot 114 – 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0L (Est. $225,000 – 275,000)

Russo & Steele –

Russo & Steele auctions are not usually a haven of Porsche activity, but they did some good research on what to offer to the sophisticated and enthusiastic Scottsdale crowds. There are a few 356s, a long-hood 911, an early 3.0 liter 930, and even the venerable 928 GTS makes an appearance. The cars they offer are usually not the highest of collector grade, but they’ll make excellent drivers or 100% restoration candidates for enthusiastic owners, to be certain.

Lot 5317 – 2006 Porsche Cayman S Turbocharged

This TPC-turbocharged Cayman caught my eye on the list of R&S offerings, mostly for its striking Carrera white paint and remarkably decent auction photography. WHen this car was purchased new in 2006, the buyer specified quite a lot of options in order to make sure his Cayman was to his liking. Once his $70,000 sports coupe arrived, however, it only took a year or so to decide that more power was necessary, and the chassis was more than capable of handling it.

Sending the car to TPC in Maryland, upgrades began with their full turbocharger kit, including a GT3 cooling package, advanced tuning, an aluminum intake plenum, an upgraded fuel rail, and myriad other associated items. TPC also installed a limited slip differential, and a comprehensive suspension upgrade package. After the work was complete, dyno tuning began, and sheets are included with the car proving peak power at 409 horsepower! This one likely won’t increase in value any time soon, but the car will definitely sell for less than what has been invested. You could not build this car for what the final hammer price will be, on that I’d bet my (limited) reputation.

Other Russo & Steele Porsche Lots For Sale

Lot 5198 – 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster

Lot 5230 – 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster

Lot 5216 – 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0L

Lot 5226 – 1970 Porsche 911S Coupe

Lot 5162 – 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L

Lot 5409 – 2010 Porsche 911 GT3

Lot 5122 – 1962 Porsche 356B T6 Cabriolet

Lot 5178 – 1962 Porsche 356 Super 90 Coupe

Lot 5050 – 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Carrera 2S

Lot 5027 – 1991 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2 Cabriolet

Lot 5393 – 1993 Porsche 928 GTS

Lot 5076 – 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Replica (1969 Volkswagen)

Barrett-Jackson

Like Russo & Steele, the tents at Barrett-Jackson are rarely the place you think of when you are looking for rare and exciting Porsche lots. That said, they’ve got some really interesting lots at their Arizona sale this year. There’s your standard low-collectible-value lots, including a Boxster, a Panamera, myriad slant-nose lookalikes, and Speedster replicas, but among the chaff, there is some excellent wheat to be found.

Lot 487 – 1984 Porsche DP-Zimmerman 935 Street Targa

Outside of Bonhams, this might actually be my favorite Porsche lot, which says a lot for Barrett-Jackson, and the kind of cars that their auctions are starting to attract. This is a unique Porsche that a lot of collectors would be proud to own. Design und Plastik (DP Motorsport) was the progenitor of the original 935 slant-nose for racing purposes, giving their street cars a kind of provenance that you can’t find in other manufacturers at the time. This DP bodied car was built by Zimmerman in 1984, and was only the second such car built that year. The exciting widebody features a 3.3 liter turbocharged engine wedged in the engine compartment of what used to be a Carrera Targa. If you’re looking for an insanely fast car with an exciting appearance that offers an open-top driving experience, then this is absolutely the car for you. The DP-Zimmerman 935 Street Targa has only just under 33,000 miles on the odometer, and the car was originally delivered to Country and Western star Lynn Anderson. This car is an icon of weird 80s excess, and something like this doesn’t come up every day.

Lot 1392 – 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package

It’s hard to go wrong with Porsche’s fastest, quickest accelerating, and most powerful road car ever produced. Chalk it up to rarity or the insane whims of the super rich, but the 918 Spyder (especially when equipped with the Weissach package) have also been among the craziest appreciating Porsches ever on the second hand market. Much like the Carrera GT, if you’d purchased one of these automobiles a year ago, you’d be reaping the rewards of doubling your money today. What was a car that retailed somewhere around 900 grand can now be found circulating on the secondary market in the 2 million dollar range. Whether this one will reach quite that high is yet to be seen. Are the buyers that show up to BJ auctions looking for a modern Porsche hypercar?

Other Barrett-Jackson Porsche Lots For Sale

Lot 31 – 1981 Porsche 928

Lot 46 – 1976 Porsche 914

Lot 438 – 1975 Porsche 911S “Slantnose Conversion”

Lot 455 – 1974 Porsche 914 V8-swap

Lot 494 – 1974 Porsche 911 “Slantnose Conversion”

Lot 636 – 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica

Lot 685 – 1985 Porsche 911 Euro Carrera

Lot 942 – 1972 Porsche 911 “Slantnose and Cabriolet Conversion”

Lot 949.1 – 1976 Porsche 911S “Strosek-look and Cabriolet Conversion”

Lot 1084 – 1964 Porsche 356C Coupe

Lot 1211 – 1982 Porsche 911 SC

Lot 1261 – 1971 Porsche 911E Coupe

Lot 1367 – 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera 3.0L

Lot 1368 – 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster

Lot 1385 – 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet

Lot 1386 – 1962 Porsche 356 Super 90 Cabriolet

Lot 1403 – 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L

Lot 1476 – 2012 Porsche Panamera S

Lot 1527 – 1997 Porsche Boxster

Lot 1588 – 2002 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo

Look for our auction recap as soon as we can following the end of sales on January 31st.