Dp,
I have been watching E9s for over two years and have noticed and have repeatedly commented that there seems to be allot of interest about these cars but there is NO real as you say "ATTITUDE" or enthusiasm...
When just last week a beautiful running and driving 1972 Malaga E9 got 1500 hits on ebay which is a huge amount, but then sold for only $9,000 that says volumes about the HO HUM "ATTITUDE" that most people have for our beautiful cars...
Granted the car was probably just a 6 but it drove, the air blows cold and the car looked very presentable but again it only brought $9,000??? Thats incredible!
In 1971 you could have bought either a 3.0CS, 911S, 280SL, E-Type Jag or a Ferrari Dino for around the same money...
Try finding a running and driving and presentable 911S, a 280SL or E-Type Jag for $9,000... That will not happen!
Also remember that numerous people looked at including a Classic Car Dealer and they all walked away from the GREAT PUMPKIN which finally after months on the market the price was lowered until offered at only $16,000 OBO... Looking at this car I still insist that there is something VERY VERY WRONG with this situation:-(
Maybe if everyone in the E9 community had the PORSCHE, FERRARI, MERCEDES, JAGUAR, ... "ATTITUDE" then our cars would demand more respect from the rest of the Vintage Car Collectors and would bring what they are worth...
I'll leave the ATTITUDE component out of it but there is a lot to the idea of the commercial value of something being what the buyer is prepared to pay. We can all parse why a Porsche may be worth more than an E9 but the exponential omponent is clearly driven by what the Porsche guy / gal is prepared to pay.
It is one of the great things about the E9. For an absolutely beautiful low build count vehicle they are a remarkable deal. BUT I am also convinced this will change as it has with virtually all cars in this category. Not why I own one, but absolutely why I got burning stares from my wife for months when I insisted the purchase needed to happen now!
When the day comes that the E9 is commanding commensurate prices with its peers the originality issue will mean much more than it does now. Not good or bad, just a fact. In the mean time? Enjoy the ride!