Porsches at the 2018 Amelia Island auctions – an expert’s view

Of the 294 cars offered by the Big Three in Florida next month, 73 are Porsches – near enough 25%. We asked marque specialist Lee Maxted-Page for his take on a selection that ranges from a 1953 356 1500 ‘bent window’ Super Coupé to a 2016 991 GT3 RS.

First, what’s the latest on Porsche values in 2018?

“If you ask me about the general state of the market, I’d say that collectors taking a medium- to long-term view on really collectable cars are as enthusiastic as ever. There is no denying, however, that for the oversupplied, less-than-the-best at auction, price is an issue.

“For a car to sell well, it has to be an outstanding example of a genuinely rare model. The good cars aren’t going anywhere, people are keeping them.”

So, looking at the Porsches at Amelia, what’s the top of the crop?

“The stand-out car is the ex-Works, Martini Racing 1974 RSR 2.1 Turbo (Gooding, $6m to $8m). Instantly recognisable, 2nd overall at Le Mans, an iconic livery: it’s a truly significant part of Porsche history and deserves to be in a top-line collection.

“I’d say the same about Gooding’s 1990 962C ($1.5m to $2m), a factory-built example presented in a famous ex-Le Mans livery, and the 1976 934 ($1.2m to $1.6m). Both should be popular with US collectors wanting exciting cars for Laguna Seca or the Rennsport Reunion.

“All three should do well. The 1974 2.1 RSR Turbo for real collectors, the others for historic racers too.”
 

Next up?

“The 1993 964 3.8 RSR at RM ($1.2m to $1.4m, pictured, top). One of 55 built and the only one in Giallo Fly. For these reasons – and most of all just 765km/475 miles from new – I expect this one to bring in the bidders. RM’s €2m all-in (say $2.23m on the night) ‘box-fresh’ car from Villa Erba in May 2017 serves as a guide.”

RM’s big night in London in 2016, when just eight modern Porsches grossed £4.7m ($6.3m), was a game-changer. Or so everyone thought – it shook every 993 GT2 out of its garage but the event remains a one-off. How does this year’s raft of X83s, X85s, Leichtbaus and Flachbaus stand up?

“Compared with the 964 3.8 RSR, these are production cars. Produced in limited numbers, certainly, but you have to retain a sense of proportion. Though many are No Reserve.
 

“Of this era, the 964 RS and 993 RS are personal favourites. They have the magic letters ‘RS’ and are a joy to drive. Gooding’s Riviera Blue 993 RS carries a serious estimate ($600k to $700k) but it’s the only one in that colour, has some Porsche Exclusive touches and carries the Clubsport wing. And only 12,900km/8,015 miles on the clock.

“RM’s No Reserve 964 RS ($200k to £250k) is unusual in silver and worth a look for those who are actually buying to drive, although the collectors might fret at the 60,500km/37,592 miles.”

And the older cars?

“The California market loves a 1967 911 S – condition apart, look at the RM ’67 car at $250k to $300k compared with the pair of ’69 911 Ss at Gooding for around $150k to $200k. All these ‘chrome bumper’ 911s are down to the car, but for the really early pre-1966 models it’s getting hard to find good ones. A well-restored, ‘show level’ early 911 is expensive now.”

So, too many Porsches?

“Never! The No Reserve cars will obviously sell whatever, and I expect the headliners to do well. For the others, it’s all down to the mood on the day – they might all be Porsches, but they are very different cars from distinctly separate eras and will appeal to a diverse selection of established and new buyers.”
 

Amelia Island 2018 auction schedule - REVISED:

Bonhams – Thursday 8 March. Auction at 12:00. Bonhams Pavilion at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club. See www.bonhams.com

Gooding & Co – Friday 9 March. Auction at 11:00. Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation, 6800 First Coast Hwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034 (one mile south of Amelia Island Parkway). See www.goodingco.com

RM Sotheby's – Friday 9 March at 15:00. The Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, Florida 32034. See www.rmsothebys.com

You can download a complete lotlisting sorted by make and model HERE.

Photos courtesy of RM Sotheby's (top, Patrick Ernzen), Gooding & Co (period shot by DPPI, group shot by Mathieu Heurtault) and Bonhams