Should You Repaint a Classic Porsche 911?
Rennlist forum users discuss the possible negative effects of a color change on a classic Porsche. Is it going to kill your resale value?Â
It’s no secret that a classic Porsche’s value is drastically higher if the car is all original. All numbers-matching Concours ready Porsche 911s are always going to fetch the highest number. What if you have a relatively clean or freshly restored example, though? Will a proper color-change paint job negatively affect the value of the car? What if you switch it to a more desirable color? Rennlist users are on the case!
Rennlist user Bigwood recently posted a thread seeking color-change advice. His car is a 1978 Porsche 911 SC with 97,000 miles on the odometer. Though that is relatively high, it certainly isn’t unreasonable for a G-series 911. Many classic Porsche vehicles of this age are getting fairly high in mileage. While he states that it isn’t really worth a whole lot to begin with, he wonders if repainting it will lower its eventual value.
Is a color-change a death sentence for value?
“If I repaint, will it materially effect the car’s value? The car isn’t worth a lot anyway, just looking for opinions. My budget is around 10k, so I think they could get door jambs but probably not trunk and frunk areas in too much detail,” he asks.
While a color-change is hotly debated, we think that leaving parts of it unaltered is definitely a resale deterrent. That being said, if the end game goal is not to eventually sell it with the intent of making a profit, does it really matter?
Who are you modifying your car for?
User AG81 brings up a great point.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about the value. You are probably going to be upside down by the time you finish with all the repairs. I don’t think a color change from red to something else would hurt. Lots of red cars out there,” he says
This is a fair argument. If the car is undergoing any sort of major surgery, for example, an engine rebuild, as Bigwood mentioned in his initial post, there is a good chance any hope of a profitable resale is already out the window. In that case, it may just be worth it to paint it for your own sake. That being said, not everyone agrees with that sentiment.
Rennlist user Dr914 sees things from a different perspective.
“Never color change, besides destroying the value of the car, it is very, very difficult and labor-intensive to do it correctly. 911s are one of the harder cars to prep for paint as the disassembly is labor-intensive and must be done to execute an effective and long-lasting job,” he says
He does make a good point. There is a handful of finicky and hard to reach areas for a full color change on a 911. Some pretty monumental disassembly and even engine removal may be required to have it done to its full potential. AG81 responds to this comment, stating that he agrees with the problematic prep work. However, he maintains that a color change will not change the value in a significant way.
Do what feels right
All in all, we think Rennlist user Cairo94507 sums it up the best.
“If a color change is done correctly, I do not feel it has a negative impact on value. Especially if the original color is not as nice and the new color. Given that, I would likely not color change a numbers matching collector-grade car.” he says
If the car is something extra special, perhaps a color change is not a great idea. However, if it’s just a run of the mill old 911, a respray isn’t likely to hurt the value as long as it is done correctly. Perhaps in that type of circumstance, a wrap job is something to consider. With the original poster’s stated budget of $10,000, he could easily have a full wrap with door jambs and some frunk and engine bay work done for half of that. Afterward, the wrap can safely be removed if resale is a concern. What do you think? Should classics ever get a color change? Let your opinion be heard on the Rennlist forum!
Photos: Porsche