There are days when I still am somewhat shocked I became someone who pines for old Porsches. After all, there were years when I didn’t understand the obsession so many seemed to have with these mildly reworked Volkswagens, especially when prices began climbing to ludicrous levels for rusty, forgotten projects. However, I have seen the light, to some extent, and can understand why so many enthusiasts go to great lengths to own them – from the air-cooled noise to the side profile, these old cars can be captivating. This 1967 Porsche 912 listed here on Facebook Marketplace is a project that started on the right foot and stalled, and is listed with an ask of $49,000.
The 912 was the last Porsche model that I became smitten with, simply because I didn’t understand why the so-called base model was suddenly an object of desire. After all, the 4-cylinder version of almost anything is less sought after by a fairly wide margin compared to whichever model came with more power; in the ease of air-cooled Porsches, however, it’s the classic case of a rising tide lifting all boats. The 912 was never meant to be a $50,000 car in project form but the price of entry got so high that the market really had no choice other than to respond accordingly. This car is a complete project but it does appear to have been properly stored in a dry garage.
And the seller has already invested a fair amount of time and expense preparing it for an eventual rebirth. The engine has been rebuilt and placed on a stand for eventual re-installation, and while we don’t know if it’s numbers-matching, one might assume that the seller would go to such lengths for a matching-numbers mill. However, if you happen to check out the prices for original engine cores – even ones that haven’t been touched in years – you might be shocked to see that the price of a good, used long-hood era engine has increased dramatically as well, which indicates (to me, at least) the market doesn’t care as much about matching numbers on Porsches as it does for muscle cars.
The glass came out for a respray that never happened, and I love seeing a crack-free dash through the gaping hole in the windshield surround. The seller doesn’t tell us why the project stalled, but I’m not sure it matters. If the bodywork is as sound in person as it appears to be in the listing photos, and there’s potentially some flex in the asking price, this is a solid starting point for the next owner. It all comes down to rust, however, and if there’s any lurking the floors or rockers, all those years of indoor storage might not matter as much. Do you think the asking price is fair?
“Mildly reworked Volkswagens”? Go find a VW part on this car. Agree with anyone who says the Porsche prices are going nuts but they still sell. Just glad we had the chance to have the 22 years with the cars we had. 24 in total up to the last one which was our 914 hot rod.
The almighty and muy-expensive 914-6?
Well said, Bob. Amen.
Bob, you’re right of course. Great cars and no reason to convince others, ultimately causing prices to rise even further.
As far as VW parts, how about the rubber pedal pads and the clutch disc (but not the pressure plate)?
as soon as i saw that phrase i stopped reading the description.
The Beatle and the 9-11 have in common the alternator as i discovered when a Beatle owner in BF had the same rare problem (discharging the battery when the engine shuts down) as with my 9-11 4 2001 (1 in 100 cars experience that, my Porsche mechanic told me).
I need a car that I can buy,tear apart,lose interest in,
& then sell for $49,000.
This one will take lots of $$$$ to put back together
& drive.
Paying this much for this car, getting it home and put it back together only to find parts missing, things happen over the years and parts disappear, I’ve been there.
Is there a car underneath all that junk? Agree old Porsches are the bomb, but this guy can be bothered to present it properly with good pictures?
Drove into garage? Or, crashed into garage?
Not understanding the 912 syndrome.
For a little more you can get a better refined and fully drivable 3.2 911.
Maybe I am missing something here but the 912 just looked like a car in need of an engine swap not higher prices.
$49K???!! way to much optimism! I see a $20K project at best.
I was thinking more like 5K
Just one missing part and resto is delayed for a long time. At that price I would need every part accounted for. Been there, done that.
I don’t see a car. Is it just me?
“there were years when I didn’t understand the obsession so many seemed to have with these mildly reworked Volkswagens”
Jeff, count me among them, along with your former self. Ugly cars, poor performance – I’ll take an old E-type, thanks very much!
The problem is… someone will pay the $49k for this… or close to it.
Sad but true! A friend of mine up here in Vermont about 10-15 years, was a an old Porsche guy and he had a basket case (literally) 67 911S that he sold for $25K and was happy he did. Today he said he should have kept it! Probably worth another 100K in same condition!
The way he’s treated the car in the photos my first thought is the engine was rebuilt with a powerwash, a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil, and a spritz of Rustoleum. Ifeel if this is sold, it will be to some supplier for parts.
My Porsche 912 story: I have always been a British car guy but liked the mid 60’s Porsches and had a desire for one, 40+ years ago. My mechanical skills were good and (I believed at the time) my financial state was ready for one. I came across a 66 912 that was in decent running condition but its appearance was tired. Right up my alley!! I like paint work! The price? $1100. I said, “Wow! I can afford that!” It needed two front fenders. I did my research before I bought it. The fenders at that time were $600 apiece! I gulped…….. and thus ended my Porsche craving!!
Ha,, ha… sons from different mothers… Also a British car guy and also got the urge for a Porsche project in the mid ’80s… found several candidates with reasonable “project” pricing (all requiring considerable sweat equity)… but then I looked in parts prices. Decided to go Italian…
Tariffs on this guy’s dope must have REALLY gone up!
No way! As the owner of three air-cooled 911 targa’s, this is way overpriced plus presentation really sucks
Two things on this site always intrigue me. The ultra low mile cars, I am always curious about their backstory. That, and some guy selling a car for several thousand dollars and up. At the very least, haul it out into the sun take the junk off it, hose it down and clean the interior and trunk. From a practical point, if you’re not respecting the vehicle you’re selling, neither will the potential buyer and you’ll get a bunch of lowball offers at best.
A few years ago, an ad for a 912 project appeared in Phoenix. I called, the seller said it sold for $500. I said is it picked up yet? He said no. I said I’ll give you $1000 sight unseen. He said ok, I’ll tell the kid to find something else. No engine, but I sold off the parts for over $10,000. You got to leap on these quickly.
$4900, maybe. This guy is clueless in so many ways.
Having owned 2 of these and a ’56 356, I sure wouldn’t fathom paying 49K for this. Like jwaltb says, maybe 4900, IF all the parts are there and usable.
He probably paid $1500 for it when he bought it. If he gets $49,000 for it now that’s not a bad investment.
My older sisters ex fiance brought back 2 Porsche back from Germany . I believe they were both 911s . One had the flat 6 and the other had the standard 4 cylinder n. They came in at port Elizabeth in nj and drove them cross country he parked them in a garage and I never saw them move again . He has passed on but nobody knows what he do with them . I’d like to find one of them
49 cents maybe for that mess.
The seller has eleven 1 Star & two 2 star reviews on Marketplace, this tells me everything I need to know.
Not a chance I would even attempt to make contact.
I had “912 syndrome” because my boss had a 911 and always flounted it. His car was the same year and color, but didn’t look as good, always ran poorly, and cost him a fortune. I drove mine daily without problems. He must have hated me and my car, especially when his girlfriend said she liked my car better.