Zshark

I have eyes on an early 928 US 5spd that looks completely original, but I have a suspicion that the drivers quarter panel got repainted due to a rear impact (rear bumper cover definitely painted/replaced). Even if the rest of the car is 100% original down to the radio, how much does that paint work hurt the collectability of the car?

Speedtoys

If its done well, I mean..properly..and didnt change the chassis color, its not a big factor.

There is a level this matters, but thats the top 1% of REALLY nice cars where it does.

Even the super concours cars, sometimes, are massively restored from almost nothing...and here you can get dinged for being TOO restored (Those bolts are too shiny)...etc.

Kongmiami

It’s only original once, so yes it effects value.

Red Flash

I am sure there is a group of people with a serious fetish about original paint. I used to be like that, but now that I have been around some people who are true paint experts (artists?), I don't worry about paint much anymore, if documented and done by a professional.

But the point is, there are a few people who are after cars with only original paint. Generally, we can say that price is set by supply and demand, so there are a few people less interested in a any car with paint work. So, the value is affected.

I think the effect is greater than the top 1%. When I bought my first GT, for instance, I categorically ruled out any car with paint work. Mileage wasn't so important to me. I am wiser now and if the right car came along and had some paint problems, I know who would be able to fix it right.

GregBBRD

A 40 year old car that never got a single ding and has original paint everywhere?
Let em see....that Holy Grail is somewhere, here, in my desk....hold on....I'm looking.

Mrmerlin

I have 3 cars with original paint on them,
they all have had small touchups but they all have 95% original paint
FWIW 2 88s and
The 85 appears to have the least amount of touchup paint so its close to 98 % original

928 GT R

Original matters.

The older the car, the more rare original paint is and commensurately the higher percentage "original" adds to the value (as long as the original paint is in great shape).

My 94 GTS "Exhibition" car is stunningly original including the extra clear coat applied at the factory. It has been fun learning about that exclusive paint perfection process.

Harvey928

I will add my 2 cents worth from my first hand knowledge of a particular event.

When I was in Europe (USAF) and went to the factory and decided to buy a new 924 from their inventory (which was mostly executives cars some had miles on them while others had very little - less than 5k). I settled on a alpine white 924 with less than 2k on the odometer and yes it was german specs). I got a call a few days before I was to pick up the car and they told me that they had found 2 or three rock chips in the paint, and were sending it back to have the whole car repainted. They were very particular about giving me a "brand new" car with a perfect paint job.

So It is possible for a car from the factory to have had it's car repainted and still be original.

linderpat

Indeed that is true. Often, the factory did repaint when a flaw was found. I have seen that before.

Billu

Considering the resale on most 928’s, it only matters if it matters to you.
What is worth more, original but imperfect (paint, interior, engine, etc) or redone but perfect or better?

Kiln_Red

Me too!

I'd say most people have no clue what they're looking at. To an untrained eye, anything that doesn't look like a Maaco job, must be original.

How can we certify original paint? Mil gauge? Porsche used at least 7 different paint systems with the 928. No one would know what the appropriate dry film should be all these years later with no idea of how a car had been stored.

Don't underestimate that there are some really really sneaky (excellent) painters out there.

Zshark

Got it for 4 grand, it’s had a respray over whole car. Rust under quarter window. But it did drive into trailer. I’ll start a new project thread when I get home.

Tomkat80222

The paint should be the least of your concerns. There is a whole lot of moving and electrical parts under the hood and else were that are really going to cost you. Good luck and be patient as you dive into your shark tank.

Range Rover

I've found that lots of people think their cars are completely original, but very few actually are. I have taken a paint meter to dozens of 928s over the years - many of which were believed to be completely original. Overall, of all the 928s I have metered, probably fewer than 5 had completely original paint. Taking this into consideration, original paint cars are probably rarer than we think, and for that reason, whenever someone claims that a car has completely original paint, I want to verify it before I'd pay a premium for the car. Having said that, if paintwork is well documented, known, and done to a high standard, it doesn't negatively affect the value of the car in my mind. Base case on a 928 is that a few panels have been repainted, even on a concours quality car, so I keep that in mind when looking at cars to buy. ​​​​​​

Speedtoys

I agree, but I dont think there are more than a handful of 928s, ever, where ALL original paint makes a difference or not..they're by far in general, not collectible cars. There are only two pointy-ends to the 928, the first few in 77-78, and the last few in 95...and in those slim populations, few are chassis with a story to tell. So..really..I don't think it matters, except at the pointy ends.


Where..every time there's a new release update to the 911, theres another set of pointy ends, and in THESE cars and endless # of options and things that make them unique. The church of the 911 wont be able to define and value us the same way...ever.