Description
The Porsche 911 came to the market in 1963 and has become one of the world’s most iconic sports cars, with modern Porsche vehicles still able to trace their styling influences back to this unique design. However, the innovative design was also considerable more expensive than the earlier 356 Porsche models, so to ease the transition, Porsche produced a version of the 911 with a smaller flat-four 1600cc air cooled engine, very similar to the last 356 engine model. This sports car, although being virtually identical in all other respects to the 911, was called the 912 and went on sale in April 1965. The 912 shared the same body specification as the 911, including the gearbox, monocoque steel chassis, independent front torsion bar, trailing arm rear suspension and disc brakes all round. Because the 911 had a larger engine which over-sailed the rear axle, the smaller 912 engine configuration is said to provide better handling than the 911 and as a result of this fact and its cheaper sale price, the 912 went on to be a very successful car, with nearly 30, 000 models being produced during its total production run from 1965 to 1969.
This outstanding LHD example of the 912 is one of the 3, 239 SWB models that were produced during 1967. 1967 Porsche production models were subsequently registered as 1968 models. It was imported into California, USA and sold via Bob Smith Porsche of Hollywood, California in September 1967 (the original sales document and maintenance booklet are to be sold with the car). The car is finished in its desirable original colour of “Tangerine” (paint code 6809) and is a matching numbers model. The car is a five dial version in the standard brushed aluminium dash with desirable optional classic Fuchs alloy wheels. The car was imported into the UK in 2000 and restored by the well-known Porsche restoration specialists, Sportwagen, in Great Wakening, Southend, Essex (the car was subsequently retained by the owner of Sportwagen , Bruce Cooper, for his own use). The car has since been owned by only two owners, one from 2003 to 2017 and the current owner since 2017. The car has extensive history, all fully documented. Full service history has been recorded since 2003, with MOT’s available for the last decade. The current MOT runs to the 22nd of August 2024.
The bodywork and paint finish are in outstanding condition and need to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated. The chrome work and trim are in good condition, with only minor pitting to the front horn grills. No rust is visible to the underside of the car. The interior is in very good condition throughout and is fitted with BF Nurburgring reclining bucket seats in matching black vinyl and cloth trim. The original seats are available for purchase with the car.
The engine is the standard 1600cc air-cooled flat four version, with 4 speed manual gearbox. The engine was subject to a rebuild in July 2021 by GCR Pure Porsche of Leicester (the specialist who had maintained the car for the previous owner) with mileage at 53252. The cam shaft was replaced at the time with a high lift cam to improve performance and an electric fuel pump also fitted. The current mileage is 55, 013. The original Solex carburettors have been replaced with Weber carburettors – the original Solex carburettors are also available for purchase with the car.
This is an outstanding example of the 912 and very fun to drive – a reluctant sale. All documents and photographs of works carried out available for inspection.
