The seller of this 1968 Porsche 912 mentions that it’s not the car for you if you’re looking for a perfectly preserved air-cooled Porsche, but there’s still a lot going for it that should make it a straight-forward project for the next owner. The 912 has been modified both mechanically and cosmetically and no longer has a matching numbers drivetrain. However, it has been enhanced over and above stock 912 specs, with the potential to go further if you choose to tune the car and finish up the enhanced bodywork. The only change I’d make to bring it closer to stock is to repaint it in its original shade of Bahama Yellow. Find it here on eBay where bidding is over $11K with no reserve and located in Escondido, California.

Some of the tweaks are immediately obvious, such as the flared rear fenders and seriously wide rear wheels. The flares are noted as being “German metal” in construction, which isn’t hyperbole – they are actually likely high-quality components, as there are numerous copies of high end 911/912 flare kits that are cheaply made rip-offs. Fiberglass bumpers are fitted front and rear, and the headlights have been updated as well. The repaint normally wouldn’t bother me too much (an autocross colleague claimed race cars were always supposed to be white), but Bahama Yellow is such a pretty factory paint job – it’s yellow, but not the in-your-face variety. The engine lid is a replacement panel, so no need to worry about VIN matching there.

The list of upgrades continues to the interior, where the front seats have been recovered in what looks like a factory-style upholstery. Carpets are clean, as is the dash, but it’s missing an old-school Blaupunkt radio. The door panels also seem to be well-preserved and thankfully not hacked apart as a result of this car going down the mild outlaw path. Despite its California location and seemingly clean condition, some rust is noted in the car: the floors are solid, but the battery tray and the “U channel” will need replacing. The seller claims all needed replacement metal is included with the sale, which will certainly make the next owner’s rust repair efforts a little less daunting. It’s also worth noting there’s a previously repaired rust spot underneath the rear seat cushion on the passenger side.

The numbers-matching drivetrain was removed at some point, and it doesn’t appear to be included in the sale if it’s still hanging around the seller’s garage. The new engine is set up as a mild performance build, with the seller describing it as a “…built up 2.5L Type 4 engine”, and going so far as to claim there’s not a stock part left on it,  and that it was “…built right” when assembled.  While this 912 is a mixed bag in terms of not being close to original condition but also sporting some sensible modifications that will make spirited driving a blast, I think it’s a great alternative to the droves of over-restored air-cooled examples that crowd each other on eBay every day.