1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2

Recently, I stumbled on a Cars & Bids video discussing air-cooled Porsche 911 values… and how the prices have become hard to justify. In my opinion, Cars & Bids is exceptional at what they do. But – they’re looking at the air-cooled 911 too analytically here. I get it – that’s their thing. But I think they’re measuring with the wrong tool in this case. Because air-cooled Porsche 911 values aren’t measured in analytics. They’re measured in emotion… and nostalgia. And those are entirely different conversations. Here’s the point: Today’s enthusiasts are craving something in a sports car – that no longer exists in the modern era. And it’s NOT perfection. Rather – it’s unfiltered, non-negotiable connection. The price of an air-cooled Porsche 911 reflects that.

See – There was an era where sports cars didn’t make compromises…

And neither did drivers. Danger was sexy. Sports cars weren’t padded with luxury, safety, & convenience. They were small, physical, and mechanical. They had to be driven – no auto mode, no comfort mode. In the modern era, sports cars are nerfed with tech & electronics. Buyers spend an easy six-figures to metaphorically ride shotgun to their own car’s electronics & nanny devices. Meanwhile – an air-cooled Porsche 911 represents an era when Porsche made nothing but sports cars. And catered to no one but drivers. There’s not a car company on God’s green earth like that today – including Porsche. So once again, the price of an air-cooled Porsche 911 reflects that.

Adam Sekulow’s approach with his 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera…

Adam’s strategy was to bring this 911 back to glory with a respectful, driver-focused, OEM+ approach. Pay homage to the old stuff & the older sports car mentality. An analog driver’s 911: Lightweight, responsive, and intentionally restrained. Where every modification enhances feel & function… while preserving the original character of the air-cooled platform. Period-correct aesthetics… with modern performance upgrades. In other words: All the old energy… but fresh. Because think about it:

In another couple generations, this is likely all over…

The man-&-machine connection of 20th century sports cars will fade into folklore. Mobility will have sunset driving. Convenience will have eclipsed connection. The goalposts will have been moved. Transportation will be relentlessly monitored, controlled, and software-driven. And rowing gears with the windows down… will be like watching an old black-&-white western on TV – wondering what it was really like seemingly so long ago. But that day is not today! Today we can still counterpunch. And to reemphasize one more time – the price of an air-cooled Porsche 911 reflects that.

Think of great rock bands through history…

Sure – you can try to quantify why they’re great? You can debate it & discuss it & make comparisons. But sometimes – it just boils down to the way they connect with you. How they hit certain notes that get your blood pumping. Sometimes there’s just an immeasurable magic. Not perfection – but magic. That’s a vintage Porsche 911. And it’s not a false sense of value, as eluded to by Cars & Bids. Rather, it’s a relentless •need for connection• in evermore disconnected surroundings. The desire to be a pilot, not on auto-pilot. So what’s that worth? Bottom line: The rise in air-cooled Porsche 911 values represents what we truly lust for in a timeless sports car. And it’s not traction control or new Nurburgring records. We want to FEEL IT… plain & simple. Total control, freedom, connection, and purpose.