1 of 449: 1968 Porsche 911 L

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While it can seem like there are endless designations that make one air-cooled 911 better than another, a genuine 911 “L” is a rare bird. With just 449 ever made for the U.S. market, this car may be rough but it is absolutely worth restoring. The L designation translated to being the top-spec model in Europe at the time, and came with the desirable “S”-trim components like suspension and brakes. Find the 911 L here on eBay with bids approaching $7K and the reserve unmet.

The L was created in response to stringent U.S. emissions requirements that prevented the thrilling 911 S from coming stateside. Instead, Porsche sent the L with the base model engine and a smog pump attached and then bolted on the S-spec suspension and brakes – then added $600 to the price tag, making it the most expensive 911 you could buy.

While the S components surely make a car like this more desirable, it’s the limited production that is sure to catch the eye of P-car enthusiasts. The 911 is otherwise quite needy, with rust in multiple places and the seller stressing that a buyer with fabrication skills or a good body man in his network is needed to set this one right. Parts of the interior look salvageable.

The engine is another unknown, but it does turn freely. The original carburetors and air cleaner are still with the car, so there is some decent provenance here. The seller notes it also came with a rear windscreen wiper from the factory. As with anything air-cooled, the more original the better – and if you’re hunting for a specific model like a 911 L, all the details better be right.

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Comments

  1. RayT

    Somebody’s got to say it, Jeff: it looks as if other 911L owners will soon be able to say they own one of 448….

    Rust never sleeps, especially on this car. I don’t imagine the undercarriage is in particularly good shape, based on what the seller has not cropped out of his photos, not pictured, or minimized by clever camera angles. Repairing all that, plus making this an actual functioning car again, looks like a six-figure proposition to me. Not even sure that would pay for all the necessary cosmetics.

    To me, as someone who is not fanatical about Porsches but has always enjoyed driving them, this looks like a half-done project. Which means the next owner will have to replace only half the car to get it right. Even at $17K, there’s too much shouting “stay away!” to get me interested.

    I hope someone proves me wrong.

    Like 8
    • Steve R

      You are right. The world is going to hell in a hand basket when people are allowed to spend too much of their own money on rusty Porsche’s.

      Steve R

      Like 5
    • Hugh Crawford

      Not too likely since Dr. Porsche had been dead for 17 years when this made.

      Like 2
  2. Steve R

    What a mess. Last time it was listed on eBay bidding reached just over $19,000 without the reserve being met.

    Steve R

    Like 9
    • glen

      Did I miss something?

      Like 2
    • 36Packard

      Ralph, get used to it if you are going to continue reading this site.. I have had posts removed, and it irritates me to no end. Unfair? Yes indeed, but it is not my site. Integrity is not required to make money, that is for sure. I keep reading here because sometimes there is some pretty interesting stuff, but if they irritate me too much I will be gone. If they irritate too many people, all those ever increasing annoying ads on here will be worthless as no one will be here to see them. It would be a much greater site if people were allowed to speak, but that must upset the ownerships bottom line somehow. You know, Facebook allows people to speak, and seems to me that Markie Boy is doing pretty well for himself.

      Like 3
    • On and On On and OnMember

      Yikes, I think I’ll head over to Superdawg, It’s always safe there.

      Like 2
    • Mountainwoodie

      Ya know the difference between “Free Speech” as guaranteed by the First Amendment against government interference in your right to say what you please; and the right of the owner of a Blog, car or otherwise, to create and enforce rules concerning what you can post on an internet blog that is the property of the creator of the blog?

      Apparently not.

      If you have ever been on other blogs,you know things can deteriorate rapidly when rules concerning what to post are not enforced. People are really brave when they’re behind a keyboard. They say things they wouldn’t say when face to face.

      Whether you were drafted or volunteered into the military really has nothing to do with these guardrails intended to keep the conversation civil.

      I’m guessing you’re wearing a shirt that says : Dont Tread On Me!” ;)

      Like 1
  3. ccrvtt

    If a car ever screamed, “BHCC!!!” this is it…

    Like 5
    • Patrick Kelly

      Better hide credit card?

      Like 7
  4. Keith

    Ah yes, this the Porsches I know…….OVER PRICED RUST BUCKETS!!!

    Like 7
    • Keith

      Same as those over priced multi-window VW vans, old Ford Broncos, and of course rusty (poorly manufactured may I add) old clapped out overpriced Mopars. When does it stop?!

      Like 7
      • PRA4SNW

        Never will, so you should stop commenting on them. Better yet, go visit FieroFunLand.com.

        Like 1
      • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

        LOL! Great call Dennis. Sorry you never turned me onto FieroFunLand.com.! I hope you had a great Labor Day! Having a Leinies Oktoberfest for you now. Take care stud, Mike.

        Like 1
      • PRA4SNW

        Thanks Mike! Hope you had a great Labor Day too.

        I’m hoping that a few stores around here will stock the Leinie’s Oktoberfest, it’s my favorite!

        Like 1
    • DAVID6

      😲i have horn👍 button😎

      Like 0
  5. bobhess bobhessMember

    Anyone remember all the comments I’ve made of possible flood cars? Well, I’m not going to do that but I will say this car is junk.

    Like 3
    • Mountainwoodie

      bobhess: This looks like a flood car for sure. Ive never seen such a crusty fan on a 911 block .. that is that’s not sitting in a field by itself

      Like 0
  6. sir mike

    The Lucas Flamethrower lamps are worth more than this rust bucket.

    Like 2
  7. angliagt angliagtMember

    Look – even the body’s air cooled!

    I remember reading in a magazine (years ago) –
    “You can park a Porsche in the garage,turn out the lights,
    and hear it rust”.

    Like 5
  8. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    The whole Porsche insanity is a game for a different kind of afflicted car nut than me. That’s a rich man’s game.

    I buy nice old cars smart and cheap, work on them myself, get ’em on the road in a few months, enjoy them, and after a couple of years I sell them off, and occasionally break even. That formula suits me, and doesn’t include Camaros, Chargers, Mustangs, GTOs, Corvettes, or Porches, though I like all those cars.

    But I’d go insane if I had a 20/30/40-Grand rust bucket being restored for years, bleeding money, and not be able to drive the damn thing.

    Like 11
  9. Mike Hawke

    The L may stand for Loser once the magnitude of rust repair is realized.

    Like 6
  10. JoeNYWF64

    Well this proves to me that a ’68 chevy i seen outside for 50 years uncovered rusts less.

    Like 1
  11. bog

    1968 911 S’ were great cars. I was in the Army in Germany and one of my close (also single Officer) buddies had one. I can’t imagine an “L” with a smogged standard engine (last aluminum, or not) being all that “worthy” of the badge even with the S’ suspension bits. But, someone will want it, just because of its relative rarity. I keep seeing really crazy prices on 912’s, which I love about as much as a base 914 (or 924, for that matter). My Porschephile friends these days have bought some of the above mentioned for either dirt low prices, or as a Winter car…

    Like 0
  12. Jack Quantrill

    If only they dipped the early bodies in zinc chromate, many more would be available!

    Like 0
  13. TimM

    Not for me!!! Rusty, uncared for and driven hard and put away wet!!! Good luck to whoever buys this rust bucket!!!

    Like 0
  14. bobhess bobhessMember

    I lied. Notice all the upholstery is coming off the metal. Salt water eats the glue like ants on cake. Going to E-bay and blowing up the pictures will tell you everything you need to know about this one.

    Like 0
  15. 36Packard

    Thanx Rex, you are a true American and a stand up guy. You should give lessons.

    Like 0
  16. On and On On and OnMember

    To Josh and the entire BF staff, Don’t stop or change in any way. This is a great site that has the attention of many including me on a daily basis. I consider it a true open forum in that all knowledge, ideas, and opinions can be expressed in a considerate and respectful manner. There will be a small percentage who will not see or understand this. Hopefully by attrition and natural selection they will move in their own direction and purpose. Although I read and consider their thoughts respectfully, I’m not sure they do the same for the majority of this forum. BTW, received my BLKPL8 t- shirt yesterday. Can’t wait to wear it. Wish they had a matching hat! Thank You, I’m done now, I’ll go back to my cage and lay down till dinner…………..

    Like 4
    • Josh Josh MortensenStaff

      Thanks On and On! There are a lot of people that work tirelessly to make this site happen and we all appreciate the support of readers like you!
      I hope you enjoy the shirt and I’ll see about making a matching hat!

      Like 5
  17. the_real_bill_s

    Interesting footnote to this car which is no longer available. It is one of a handful of 911L’s outfitted by Porsche for rally racing. The 3880026 engine number denotes a special 901/30 engine of which only about 30 were made and produced 170hp. This car likely has rally race history (could explain the Flamethrowers) and if confirmed by Porsche should definitely be restored ($$$).

    Like 1

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