This week on “Rare Finds,” we found a very early, unusual example of the world’s most iconic sports car, the Porsche 911. Advertised on Craigslist near TFLcar’s hometown of Denver, CO –Â this 1966 Porsche 911 example is a must-have for any Porschephile or European sports car collector.
According to an online source documenting Porsche production, around 30,000 912s (911 body with revised engine) were produced during the car’s 1965-69 production run. However, of those 30,000, fewer were manufactured in the first two years of production than were in the final years. In addition, very few exist today with just over 50,000 miles and in absolutely as-new condition. The Polo Red exterior of this car gleams with a recent paint job, and all of the chrome around the blinkers, along the windowsills, and around the taillights is in excellent condition. Re-chroming such hard-to-find parts is an expensive and painstaking task, and it’s very convenient that the previous owner has taken care of refinishing it.
However, most impressive about this vehicle is the rare combination of chassis and engine. The chassis is from the Porsche 912, the “base model” 911 that Porsche produced from 1965-1969. The 912 was an extremely popular alternative for those who wanted the lightweight tail-happiness of a 911 at a more reasonable price. 912s came with fewer creature comforts than did 911s, but the omission of these features provided for reduced weight and unparalleled handling. Nevertheless, this car isn’t completely a 912; rather, it’s a 911 body on a 912 chassis, something which greatly adds to its desirability. The 912’s reduced price caused it to consistently outsell the 911 during the first few years of 912’s production, meaning that this car’s current body is very scarce.
The car’s engine is also one of its most interesting features. The seller has advertised it as a newly-rebuilt 2.4-liter flat-six 911T motor, meaning that it came from a later model 911. Porsche introduced the 911T in 1968 as a replacement for the 912, and like the 912, it cost approximately 10% less than its more potent sibling, the 911S. Because Porsche upgraded all 911T engines to a 2.4-liter displacement in 1972, it’s clear that the engine in this car was produced some time later than its body and chassis. This may be an area of discrepancy for Porsche purists, but it also may be one of the most desirable features of this 911, as the 2.4-liter flat-six was much more powerful than the original flat-six.
Though this 911/912’s $35,500 price tag may be steep for many, the car will certainly deliver the same dynamic, organic driving experience that every Porsche product is renowned for. And at around a quarter of the price of a new 991 Carrera coupe, this Polo Red 911/912 is one to consider for any Porsche enthusiast.
If you are interested in learning more about the featured car this week, please follow the link below.
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/4112492685.html
Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video documenting the beauty of the brand-new 911 991 Carrera S Coupe.
