Not always getting the respect that they deserve is the Porsche 912. How unfortunate, they are deserving cars in the Porsche tradition. And today, we have an end of the line 1969 example for review. Having been parked since 1995, this 912 is located in Elizabethtown, Indiana and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $22,750.
Offered between 1965 and 1969, the 912 was “the show without all the go”, as so to speak. The 911’s gracious lines and flat road-holding manners were in place but power came from a flat-four instead of a flat six-cylinder engine. The benefit was a cheaper price and better gas mileage. There was a 912E with a 2.0-liter engine introduced in model year ’76 but it was one and done and didn’t stay around for ’77.
The current owner of this 52K mile 912 has owned it since 1987 and he believes the mileage is genuine and has records going back prior to ’87. Certain body parts, like the bumpers, have been replaced with different pieces and its current, non-original finish is only fair. This example appears to be rust-free but it’s not as the seller states, “There is rust in the trunk in the typical locations. Various other locations have rust as shown in the pictures. Heater boxes are in good shape. Overall, the car is very solid“. He also claims that the pan is solid but should probably be stripped and rust-proofed.
The 106 HP, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was rebuilt in 1984 and the original Solex carburetors were replaced with Webers. The seller adds, “Cylinder #3 has a different size spark plug than the rest” but doesn’t elaborate beyond that, hmmm. The engine does run but needs attention, first and foremost being the fuel tank, line, and pump. Click and you’ll be able to see this Porsche in action. The engine is smoking a bit and it doesn’t look like warm-up condensation. Gear changes are accomplished via a four-speed manual transaxle.
The interior still looks pretty good, the black leatherette upholstery has held up well, though the dash pad is cracked. The carpet has either been partially removed or deteriorated, but the seller indicates that he has a replacement. The instrument panel gauges are clear and the switchgear appears to all be in place. The seller mentions that he has the original Blaupunkt radio and it works, as does the original clock.
Extra parts come with this operating project and the seller is very forthcoming regarding what has been done and what still needs attention. I have had the pleasure of having a ’68 912 made available to me for several days and I really enjoyed the experience. The road manners and nimbleness make up for the lack of power, and that said, the 912 moves out well in its own right. When considering a vintage Porsche, it’s hard to go wrong with a 912.
The 912 is a glorified bug with a swoopy body.
Never saw a stock Bug with 106 hp and no VW parts on it. Also would never drive a Bug cross country like we did with a ’69 Targa. This is a nice car that really needs a paint job.
Is closing the passenger door all the way for the photo too much trouble? And for that matter, is the driver’s door sprung?
Not a bad price. Unusual factoid about #3 cyl. plug. VW distributors had retarded spark for #3 because it ran hotter than the rest due to the oil cooler partially blocking cooling air.
Interesting to be getting BaT-ish comments on this car
Losgatos_Dale, I agree. I suspect that anyone making those comment has never driven a 912 or a 911, for that mater. The 912 is one of the most user friendly and fun Porsches ever. The 914 took it’s place, in the line up. Funny, the 914 was sold as a Volkswagen in Europe. The one, that I drove in a time trial, was a VW 914.
I hope this winds up with someone who will bring it back to life. The little 912s were some of the most pleasant driving cars of the 911/12 range. Not hot rods in any way, but still fun, reliable and inexpensive to operate (by Porsche standards anyway). This could be a great project.
I had long thought I would like to buy a 912, but all things Porsche I’m told, are very expensive, and the labor is also.
But somebody who works on these will buy it and be happy.
good luck !
Thought on the spark plug. Over the years have seen several 356 engines with a “larger plug” that consisted of one that was one size diameter larger than the originals but the same heat range. Helicoils were not a prefered replacement for stripped threads as sealing in compression usually didn’t work.
Comments like, “glorified VW” crack me up. I’ve raced sports car, off and on, since 1965. I drove a bone stock 912, except for Koni shock, in a SCCA Solo-One time trials, at Riverside International raceway, forty-five years ago. I assure you it was a hoot to drive and NOTHING like a Volkswagen. I don’t remember the year but, a 912 won the Mote Carlo WRC Rally over the 911s.