Sales debate
Is there a genuine market for used ‘reimagined’ 911s?
Backdating and other personalised modifications have been in practice since the dawn of the 911 itself (and even before, with bespoke specs and features on early 356s helping to form Porsche’s very own ‘Sonderwunsch’ department). Today, the universal popularity of a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer has brought the idea of a truly bespoke 911 build into the eyes of the wider public, with many specialist Porsche businesses now offering to build you your dream 911… for a pretty penny, of course. Typically, the base car is a 964 or earlier, with an air-cooled flat six vastly reworked to kick out big power, while other discreet modifications help ensure the car is relevant for a 21stcentury lifestyle.
The build itself can take up to two years to complete, but nevertheless a bespoke ‘reimagining’ of a Porsche 911 will be no stranger to the majority of enthusiasts who attend high-profile shows and events. But what happens when the owner decides to sell his or her bespoke build? Is there a genuine market for this?
“Bespoke 911s are highly desirable cars, because they are unique,” says Paul Stephens of Paul Stephens Porsche, the business which has successfully curated its own line of bespoke Porsche under the PS Autoart brand. “We find some of our clients enjoy the process of the build just as much as the finished product itself, then there are others who like to jump straight into a car which appeals and is ready to go. We therefore often buy back our Autoart cars from clients and have successfully re-sold them many times over, sometimes with tweaks which the new owner has requested.”
Paul Stephens clearly has a successful model, but is this representative of the wider market? Karl Meyer, who’s worked in Porsche sales for the last ten years, believes a bespoke car needs a different approach to a 911 that’s still true to the car which originally rolled off the production line at Zuffenhausen. He says: “By the very nature of it being a bespoke car, they tend to take longer to sell, as their appeal isn’t as broad as a factory example – particularly in the present climate. So a seller will always need patience, but from a buyer’s point of view, due diligence is key. Get an expert to take a detailed look at the car. Just because it’s had a lot of work put into it, doesn’t necessarily guarantee the standard of that work, so make sure the base car is a good example and that all work carried out has been to exemplary standards – particularly if the asking price is strong. While not a common occurrence, the market will always cater for those who want something a little more bespoke,” he says.