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

by Jim Schrager

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 and leaving others behind. Herewith we present the top five gainers in the vintage 911 world, with an eye toward which might be best to scratch your itch.

Early 911S (1967–73)

These cars have roughly doubled in the last five years, from about $25,000 for a nice driver to $50,000—and you can double those prices again for the always-steep value increase from #2 to #1 condition. In some ways this is no surprise, as the S model has always been the ultimate street-going 911 (other than the Euro-only, single-year, Carrera RS, of which more later).

On the other hand, there are surprises in the strength of the S cars. In the first place, S cars are tremendously similar to the...