1968 Porsche 911 L – Project Profile

There are few cars as iconic as the Porsche 911. The fact that it is still in production today after its inception in 1963 is testament to the fact that Porsche simply got it right. It’s the company’s flag ship, its identity and there have been many different versions produced over the years, including this very rare 1968 ‘L’ model. Standing for ‘Lux’ the 911 L was built for the American market and was essentially the same car as it’s premium S-badged Euro brother. There were a few distinct differences though. Whilst it retained the suspension and brakes of the S model the engine was modified with a belt-driven air pump which blew air into the exhaust manifolds when the throttle was closed to comply with US emissions regulations. This meant the air-cooled, 2.0-litre flat six produced 130bhp with a 0-60 time of just over 8 seconds and a top speed of 131mph. It was the most expensive Porsche being sold in America at the time but was only available for one year in 1968 – with allegedly less than 500 being produced over that time – which makes it quite the rare and collectible beast.

What is it? 

This short wheelbase 1968 Porsche 911 L is a matching numbers, US spec left-hand drive car with official Porsche certificate of authenticity. Not only that but it has an incredibly low mileage of just under 13,000, making this a already desirable machine just that little bit more special. The car, currently residing in Torino in Italy, is largely original and complete with only the wing mirrors and front bumper being non-standard but these could easily be changed after sourcing the correct parts. The engine and five-speed manual transmission are both present and correct and the motor does turn freely. The original L interior is all there and comes with the factory radio and tinted glass all round.

Why is it a project? 

The car does require some TLC, including some rust repairs to both the bodywork and underneath and would ideally need a fresh paint job in it’s original factory colour of Polo Red. Although the ad does state that the engine turns it makes no mention of whether or not it is a running and driving example and so we would err on the side of caution and assume that it isn’t, which means it would need a comprehensive mechanical overhaul. The interior is original and complete but again, this would need refreshing and we can see from the photos that the two front seats at least would need re-upholstering.

Five things to look for:

1) Rust
Corrosion protection on early 911s was rudimentary at best and so a full inspection of all the problem areas is a must. We can already see from the photos on the ad that the wings, door bottoms and floors need work but where else is the dreaded tin worm lurking? Notorious spots include the front cross member, boot floor, front and rear screen surrounds so get up close and personal to assess the full scope of any potential repairs.

2) Engine

As mentioned earlier we don’t know if the engine actually runs so go forth with an open mind. The good news is we’re are assured that it does turn which means it isn’t seized but expect to factor a full rebuild into the cost of getting this 911 back on the road. With prices for said work pushing to half that of the car for a specialist it’s a rather large chunk to consider. Touted as a matching numbers example it would still pay to make sure all of the ancillary bits and pieces are correct for the car.

3) Wheels and brakes

Whilst the original Fuchs alloys do look great they can be costly to refurb so check their condition and inspect them for any damage or cracks. Have a look at the tyre wear as this can indicate problems with the wheels or suspension setup. If the car hasn’t been running for a while the brakes may be seized so check the condition of the calipers as well as evidence of any maintenance: new pads, different discs etc..

4) Interior

Little is mentioned of the interior aside from it being “original and complete” but we can see that there is some retrimming required. Take a look at what exactly can be salvaged and what needs to be stripped and replaced as this will dictate how much you will need to spend on the inside. The L models featured an improved level of trim so make sure that it’s all there and that everything works as intended.

5) Paperwork

Matching numbers cars fetch a higher premium and fortunately this particular 911 L is authentic and does come with a Porsche certificate of authenticity. But what other paperwork is there? Check any documentation for evidence of past maintenance or resto work as this will be indicative of what kind of life the car has led and whether or not it has been cherished in the past or potentially left to rot in a barn somewhere.

What should you do with it? 

A full restoration back to its original condition and colour is the order of the day here. We’re not going to lie, it will be expensive but parts availability is great and what you’ll have at the end of it all is a very desirable and exclusive Porsche 911 L. Sitting in the sweet spot between the very early, less refined cars and the post ’73, redesigned body variants this 1968 car retains all of the charm and character of those first 911s whilst remaining a fantastically capable and tasteful classic Porsche. This is a rare car and a bit of an investment piece so get it right and it will be better than money in the bank.