2024 Classic Porsche market watch
Okay, let’s say you’ve decided to buy yourself the faithful Martini Racing rennsporter recreation featured on the preceding spread. Now all you need to do is fill it with Porsches! Fortunately, auction season is in full swing, meaning there is no shortage of sublime road and race cars for you to choose from.
Nicely tying into the theme of this issue’s cover story is the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (chassis 9113600240) set to go under the hammer at the Bonhams Bonmont Sale in Cheserex, Switzerland, on 18th June. Like our cover car, this particular Porsche was built to Touring specification. The lower estimate is CHF350,000 (£310,631).
If an even earlier Porsche is your thing, then RM Sotheby’s might have just what you’re looking for. Superbly restored, the 1951 356 split-window coupe pictured right is the thirteenth of the 749 Pre-A Reutter coupes produced and has been treated to a painstaking rotisserie restoration by a consortium of early 356 specialists. Accompanied by a copy of its original Kardex build record (confirming the presence of the factory-installed engine and original colour scheme), chassis 01543 was constructed on 30th April 1951 and delivered new through Bischoff & Hammel of Hanover, Germany. In the early 1990s, the car was found languishing in Tallahassee, Florida, among the wrecks of many other 356s. Porsche collector, Myron Vernis, rescued the entire group specifically to acquire this car. When interviewed by Porsche Club of America in 2020, he described the 356 he was met with as “surprisingly solid, with the original engine case and body bumpers present, as well as bits and pieces of the original upholstery.”
Vernis gathered parts for an intended restoration, before selling the car to 356 enthusiast, Mike Tuck, in California. Tuck has owned several split-window coupes but, in the late 1990s, sold the car to fellow 356 nut, Peter Zwinakis, who set about acquiring parts in earnest, namely several ultra-rare, new-old-stock interior and exterior trim pieces. In 2006, Zwinakis chose to sell chassis 10543 to Dr. Mac Jones, who then commissioned Neil and Lee Schlabaugh of Wellman, Iowa, to begin what would become an eight-year, no-expense-spared restoration. Everything from carpet placement to electrical wire layout was studied. Even an original body panel from another Adriablau 1951 coupe was sourced (to ensure an exact paint match). Jones was also able to source a rare, period-correct Loewe radio. Rather than numerical stations, it displays the capital cities of Europe around its dial. Early 356 expert, the late Jim Barrington, was commissioned to build a correct-specification engine using the car’s original crank case (number 10108).
On 4th June 2015, the rare Porsche was delivered to Jones in the immaculate condition presented here. Unfortunately, personal circumstances forced him to sell his prized Porsche shortly thereafter. It is now set to occupy a headline slot at RM Sotheby’s 2023 Monterey Sale, due get underway on Friday 18th August.
The same auction will feature a beautifully preserved Guards Red 1992 964 Carrera RS, a modern classic which has covered only 103 miles from new. Rather more seasoned are the 2000 996 GT3 R race car being prepared for RM Sotheby’s Le Mans auction (scheduled for 9th June) and the pictured Lime Green 1973 911 2.7 Targa, the latter of which puts the RS to shame on account of the restored semi-open-top stunner having covered a shade under 100,000 miles. Sold through online sales and auction website, Car & Classic, the seventies smasher attracted nineteen bids, generating a final sale price of £41,500. Something tells us the radiant red Rennsport is likely to sell for a touch more. While watching the auction for the Hulkhued Targa come to an end, we noticed pre-bidding was open for an early 944 Turbo.
First registered in October 1986 and in the possession of five owners from new, the turbocharged transaxle has been with its current owner since 2006 and has always been garaged. Partly owing to awkward-looking Turbo Twist wheels (we’d track down a set of staggered sixteen-inch Teledials), this blue belter could prove something of a bargain.
THE SAME AUCTION WILL FEATURE A BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED GUARDS RED 1992 964 CARRERA RS, WHICH HAS COVERED ONLY 103 MILES FROM NEW