Author: Jim Schrager

Jim wrote for the 356 Registry and SCM for over a decade, was a Contributing Editor for Porsche Panorama (the magazine of the Porsche Club of America), and wrote for Excellence and the Porsche Market Letter. He has written two popular books on vintage Porsches: Buying, Driving, and Enjoying the Porsche 356; and Buying, Driving, and Enjoying the Early Porsche 911. He owns about 20 vintage Porsches, which he attempts to keep on the road through all kinds of weather. He is a clinical professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he teaches a popular course on strategy. He actively races his family’s 41-foot sailboat with his two boys on Lake Michigan.

Putting a Price ($152,007) on Memories

This 911 wasn’t one of the good ones. It was purchased, along with a 1966 912 donor car-and a speedboat-for $1,000 {vsig}2007-12_2106{/vsig} Sometimes precious things have rather inauspicious beginnings. As you admire Porsches at various events, never forget that they can represent much more than just someone “writing the check.” […]

What Makes a 356 Worth $176,000?

This B Cab had tools, a Carrera horn ring, Hirschmann antenna, Blaupunkt radio, headrests, and its original engine {vsig}2007-11_2088{/vsig} Hot on the heels of the recent Monterey auction results, I received an email, which asked the following question: “I just saw that nice black 1962 356B Cabriolet sell at Gooding […]

1968 Porsche 911S Coupe

Cost-no-object restorations rarely make sense on production cars, even exciting ones in hot markets, like an early 911S {vsig}2007-11_2094{/vsig} Within two years of the original 911’s launch, Porsche introduced a new model that would satisfy even the most demanding drivers. The new S offered the same vault-like body and chassis, […]

Living the 356 Dream

One of the best things is just banging around local roads and pretty scenery with a few 356s running along with you The Gathering of the Faithful. That’s what they used to call the annual meeting of 356 owners 30 years ago. Everyone got together, looked at each other’s cars, […]

1965 Porsche 911 Coupe

What’s so special about the original 235 911s? Not much, and most of it is bad. But they are different and that was enough {vsig}2007-10_2080{/vsig} In the late 1950s, Porsche began working on what would be a new model to entirely replace the 356. The styling was based on a […]

1965 Porsche 911 Coupe

In the late 1950s, Porsche began working on what would be a new model to entirely replace the 356. The styling was based on a set of guidelines prepared by Ferry Porsche and developed by his son, “Butzi.” The new Porsche was intended to be an evolutionary design and continue […]

1974 Porsche 914 2.0 Roadster

The 914 changed the rules. For starters, you paid extra for chrome bumpers and vinyl-covered roof sections. Excuse me? Porsche introduced the 914 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969, and it became available in the U.S. in the spring of 1970. Priced at just under $3,500 (for the 4-cylinder […]

Best Investments? Dial 911

Low-mileage cars are a funny part of the hobby; you can’t use your new toy or you drive away its distinction All 911s were not created equal, and they are not treated equally by vintage car buyers. Each move in the market favors certain models, making superstars out of some […]

Hands-on Happiness

There are three basic ways to invest in an older Porsche, each with pluses and minuses (Part III: Defining the Collectible Porsche) In the June issue, I examined some individual Porsche models and outlined what factors set them apart as either collectible or rather ordinary. Last month, I discussed those […]

1960 Porsche 356B Super Roadster

When Porsche introduced the improved 356B in 1960, the Speedster was succeeded by the Roadster. This was a change in name, even though both cars, and the interim Convertible D in between, remained at the bottom of the Porsche price schedule. In addition to the new name, the 356B delivered […]