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Porsche 911 2.7 RS values up by nearly 700% in the last 10 years [w/video]

These days if you have a wad of cash to invest in a classic car, Ferrari seems to be the best option. Hagerty's price index for the Italian supercars was up 43 percent in 2014, and Prancing Horses made up eight of the highest-selling vehicles at auction for the year. However, if you really want to watch your funds grow faster than practically any other legal investment, it might be worth setting your sights north of Maranello to Porsche in Germany. According to research from the Discovery Channel, the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS is the quickest-appreciating vehicle in the past decade, at least in the UK. In 2004, prices hovered around 65,000 pounds ($101,350 in current money), but buying one today would set you back over 500,000 pounds ($779,600). Rarer lightweight models go for even more. More than just a solid investment, buyers get what is considered to be the ultimate expression of the early 911. Built as a homologation special for racing, Porsche used the classic tactic of fitting a larger engine to boost power to about 210 horsepower while simultaneously cutting weight. A lower front air dam, extended fenders for wider wheels and ducktail spoiler at the back made sure the grip, aero and styling fit the motorsports attitude. You can get a brief taste of what it's like to drive one of these rare Porsches in the video from The Telegraph below. This one is even for sale, with an ambitious price of around 600,000 pounds ($935,000), and it also features legendary racer Derek Bell's autograph on the ashtray. Hopefully the car's eventual buyer remembers that the RS is a fantastic piece to drive, too, and stretches its legs every once in a while. News Source: The TelegraphImage Credit: The Telegraph Porsche Car Buying Ownership Coupe Performance Classics Videos porsche 911 carrera collector cars classic car values

China bans military license plates on luxury autos

Driving a vehicle with a military license plate in China provides many privileges. Legally reserved for official vehicles only, the designation apparently allows drivers to enjoy special liberties on the roads, including breaking traffic laws, filling up with free fuel and receiving light-and-siren escorts through congested cities. So attractive are the benefits that there is a secondary market for used legal and counterfeit plates - especially among those wealthy enough to afford luxury cars. But all of that is reportedly coming to an end, as President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, is on a mission to fight corruption in his country.
A new license plate system goes into effect today, and it is designed to "maintain social harmony, stability and the reputation of the military," says the PLA Daily, the armed forces' official newspaper. While the abuse has been going on for many years, the internet has put the spotlight on the bad behavior, and the negative press does not represent the morals and true colors of the armed forces, say officials.
While military-plated Porsche drivers have been singled out as offenders, Bloomberg notes that all vehicles with engine displacements above 3.0 liters and with a sticker price in excess of about $73,000, will be banned from receiving military plates. This includes vehicles from Audi, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and the Volkswagen Phaeton. Even if drivers are savvy enough to circumvent the new issuing system, the military has put technology at toll gates to catch users of counterfeit plates. There has been no word on the punishment if caught.

Porsche Macan sales may push brand past 200K unit goal early

In late 2010, Volkswagen announced that it would spend the equivalent of $71 billion through 2015 to beef up its product lineup, determined to overtake Toyota in overall sales and profitability by 2018. Each of VW's many brands, in turn, would play its part contributing to a goal of 10 million sales per year. VW-owned Porsche was expected to sell 200,000 vehicles per year by 2018, but with the imminent arrival of the Macan small sport utility vehicle in 2014, the automaker is poised to meet that goal years ahead of schedule, Automotive News reports.
Porsche sold 143,096 cars in 2012, and IHS Automotive predicts Porsche will sell 63,000 Macans in 2014, according to Automotive News, which would make it the brand's best-selling vehicle. Do the math and you can see how Porsche could easily beat original expectations ahead of schedule. But Porsche's sales and marketing boss Bernhard Maier says not so fast: "We will not offer [63,000 Macans] in 2014 as we will still be ramping up production and introducing models top down," he told Automotive News Europe. Whether Porsche surpasses the 200,000 mark early or not, he said, the company will not set a new sales target and will remain committed to its business model.
The Macan shares its architecture with the Audi Q5, but Porsche will be able to charge more for its SUV. Tim Urquhart, a senior analyst at IHS Autmotive, told Automotive News that Porsche can charge 10 to 20 percent more, for what is basically the same SUV, than other VW Group brands. How's that for brand value?