€180,000
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47
High
What is your Porsche 911 worth?
Value my classicThe Porsche 911 is not simply a car. It is the reference point by which the entire classic car market is measured, discussed, and valued. When auction houses report record results, the 911 is inevitably at the centre. When new collectors ask where to begin, the 911 is the answer as often as not. When experienced enthusiasts debate what defines a great sports car, the 911 is the car they are trying to either champion or dethrone.
Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche's design - a rear-mounted flat-six engine in a compact, aerodynamic coupe - debuted at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show as the 901. A naming dispute with Peugeot changed the designation to 911, and a legend was born. Over the next 35 years, Porsche refined the formula across six air-cooled generations without ever abandoning its fundamental architecture. That continuity is what gives the 911 its collector power: it is a single, traceable lineage, not a series of unrelated models wearing the same badge.
The original 911 (1964-1973) - often called the "long-hood" - is where values are highest and collector passion runs deepest. Short-wheelbase cars (pre-1969) are the most prized, with the 2.7 RS of 1973 occupying near-mythical status. Expect €80,000 for a solid 2.0-litre coupe; significantly more for S and RS variants.
The G-body (1974-1989) introduced impact bumpers, the SC, and the legendary 3.2 Carrera. The SC (1978-1983) remains one of the most accessible entry points to genuine 911 ownership, offering the full air-cooled experience from around €40,000. The 3.2 Carrera (1984-1989) is widely considered the sweet spot - the last of the "pure" 911s before significant electronic intervention, with a robust engine and strong parts support.
The 964 (1989-1994) introduced all-wheel drive (Carrera 4), power steering, and ABS - modernising the 911 while
911 values span a wide range. The 3.2 Carrera SC (1978-1983) offers entry-level air-cooled ownership from around €40,000. The 3.2 Carrera (1984-1989) sits in the €50,000-100,000 sweet spot. The 964 starts above €60,000 for well-sorted examples, with RS variants in six figures. The 993, as the last air-cooled 911, commands €100,000-150,000+ for Carrera S and Turbo models. Original long-hood 911s start around €80,000.
Air-cooled 911s have appreciated strongly over the past two decades, driven by finite supply and global demand. The 993 in particular has become a blue-chip asset. Values can fluctuate with economic cycles, but the 911's status as the reference point of the classic car market has proven durable. Provenance - matching numbers, documented history, Porsche CoA - is essential for investment-grade examples.
Check chassis rails, kidney areas, and sills for rust on all generations. Verify chain tensioner updates on 3.2 Carrera and early 964. Budget €8,000-15,000 for an engine rebuild if needed. A Porsche Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) confirms original specification and matching numbers.