Edward

It seems there was more of a "trend" in longhood conversions some years back, but now not so much. Is it just my casual (and unscientific) observation, or have SC/Carrera folks realized that the market now values their cars just as they are? I can't help but wonder if valuation in these last few years have made folks rethink their desire to go longhood lest they bastardize what now seems to be an appreciating commodity. What say you?

Edward

GTgears

I say in many instances you observation is correct.

911Dave

You are correct, that is precisely what has happened. When valuations and interest in a model start rising, originality becomes increasingly important. Back in 2008/9 I made an RS tribute out of my 100% stock '86 Carrera. I wouldn't even think of doing that today. Original cars in today's market demand a much bigger premium than they used to.

These cars have not obtained collector status yet, and probably won't for at least another couple of decades, because there are too many of them still out there. But there's no question their desirability has shot up in the last 5 years or so.

Edward

Funny, it probably was around 2008 or so that I was thinking of dong a longhood conversion, but decided it was cost prohibitive ...never thinking for a moment that SC values would rise. Good thing I was cash strapped.

Edward

Jeff986

I was looking a while back to do a backdate on an SC. That was when a decent SC was around $15k. At that price a complete back dat might have cost $30k, including the price of a car that probably wasn't going to appreciate anyway.

I recently picked up a nice and clean 82SC coupe and paid a lot more than $15k. I wouldn't dream of removing its factory sport seats, etc. or changing anything as drastic as a backdate now. I put a fortune into suspension and set up but wouldn't even think of touching the body. Only thing that is getting backdated is it has a whale tail that will be going under the knife soon.

Mondrian

But then a long hood 2.4s costs 300k & an RS $1mil so if you want the look with better mechanics then $70k is still a bargain that appeals to some and singer has injected added impetus to this market too. However some of the old owners might be priced out as they'd be looking at their $30k as part asset, part fun and so will be looking to preserve it or even enhance it by removing the mods and aftermarket parts.

Edward

Yeah, I hear ya, gents!

My "life priorities" are changing in these later years, and my "Trackmeister" is not seeing much track action (ironically seeing more street since I gotta exercise it now and then). But not wanting to sell it seeing as it's an "era piece" for me, I now wish that I had kept all that interior that I had sold off for peanuts years back ...ugh!!! Who would have thought the bazillion SCs made could have ever appreciated like this?!! My SC is gutted to bare metal inside, save the orig door panels and dash, so going back to a passenger interior would likely cost me a pretty penny these days. Oh well, at least she runs great and is mine!

Edward

Mondrian

Most SC interiors are now due for a refresh anyway so not necessarily a negative and if you decide the work in bits it should be manageable over time.

Mr Michael B

I had plans many years ago to convert a 912 to an "RS" look. Then more plans to "backdate" a 1977 2.7 911. Finally I nearly did the deed on a very good 1986 3.2... However I fully restored the 912 (I still have it as it was/is a SWB after-all & I could just not sit well with that), the '77 owner decided to keep that car (and still has it), and my '86 went to a really good home in South Carolina totally in tact.

But the bug was still there. Finally I came across an early car that had nearly the full RS treatment done. And I personally feel that it may be the best result (starting with an early car) as the lightness & essence is 100% there.

Yes the S/C Carrera backdates are neat but I wanted to submerse myself into old with no resemblance of newer. That is what I got out of that.

And we all lived happily ever-after.

mooty

" Yes the S/C Carrera backdates are neat but I wanted to submerse myself into old with no resemblance of newer. That is what I got out of that. "

WOW, that says a lot.
i am stepping into air cooled world. this is all good learning.

tcsracing1

Converting a 1974-1989 to a long nose was an affordable way to have a 69-73 vintage style 911, especially a hot rod..
(Given the prices of 69-73 cars the obvious choice for a long hood hot rod donor was a 74-89.)

However, now the 74-89 are desirable in their original state and are getting pricey.

Realistically, when you pull the impact bumpers of a 74-89 and install aftermarket bumpers to delete the "accordions" you can have a really nice hot rod without having to mess with a long hood conversion.

Case in point, the Accumoto 1978-1983SC.

Mondrian

There are lots of ways to skin a cat! You could also go down the IB backdate route ie a 74 Carrera or IROC backdate ...

carsandcapp

I'm currently doing this now. Found a non-running '77 S that had already been cut and flared so I felt it was OK to do the conversion. Mine is going to end up as a longhood hotrod with a carbed (eventually) 3.2, duck (or mini-duck) and an IROC front bumper. Light, fast, clean, but more GT than track car. Wifey doesn't like rough rides.

Tremelune

It depends on how far you want to go. There are reversible bolt-on conversions out there.

New bumpers, longhood with converted latch, blinker "extender" bits, maybe new mirrors, remove the side sills. All done.

http://www.impactbumpers.com/forum/i...-image-change/

race911

Noooooo. Is the sun going to set in the East now?