LEADING FROM THE FRONT

The top-end of the classic car market seems to have slowed somewhat, which in Porsche terms means that air-cooled 911s have probably peaked, and the shabby ones are falling back.

However, and this was always going to happen, the dormant and left behind frontengined cars, as in the 924s, 944s, 968s and 928s are catching up. No, they will never entirely get there – outright desirability will see to that, but those that keep a check on these things report some serious increases. Leading the way is the 924 Turbo, which has seen its value climb by 200% in the past two years. The 928 GT has gone up 136% and the 944 Turbo is up by 136%. Dragged behind this increase are lesser front-engined cars, meaning that good examples from the 924 on are finally being appreciated for what they are: good classic Porsches.

Fortunately these percentage gains are on the back of a relatively low starting point value wise, although that said a 200% increase of most figures can still make a for a large overall number. The relative scarcity of the frontengined cars has had an inevitable effect too in terms of supply and demand.

So am I regretting selling my 944 Lux? No, not just yet. And besides, I know that it's only a matter of time before the market wakes up to the siren call of the 996 C2, which I happen to have parked in my garage... PW

As surely as night follows day, the value of the rarer frontengined Porsches, like the 924 Turbo, has increased, dragging the lesser models along too