There’s a price that many enthusiasts are willing to pay for originality that transcends logic. In the case of the Porsche 912, this is a model that was at one time the cheapest air-cooled model you could buy, with untold thousands of them cast into scrap piles after a few accidents or one blown motor. Those days are gone, and now a highly 0riginal 912 like this one here on eBay will command very strong money that still looks affordable compared to a 911 of the same vintage. This is a 1967 model that is said to remain highly original and has just three owners from new.
There was a time when I really didn’t care much for Porsches. I felt the hype was overblown and that the cars themselves didn’t live up to the price tags they commanded. But in life, as I’ve found, the cases of something being truly overblow both in terms of experience and valuation tends to occur with fairly obvious scenarios, where something is either way too good to be true or clearly indicative of a scam. The 911 is neither of those things, especially in vintage form. They are truly good cars, full of character, and making the sorts of noises you made with your mouth when you were a kid pretending to drive (well, if you liked European cars like me.) There’s the shape, too, which has never come close to being replicated by any other sports car, modern or vintage.
However, there’s also limits to the fever dream of air-cooled Porsche ownership. A reader of this site and friend helped me navigate some uncomfortable back channels recently as I chased a 1968 912 that had been hidden from public view for decades. That’s all I’m going to say aside from the fact that the attempted rescue was a dead-end once the number of dollars I’d have to present just to look at the car, which was insane, to say the least. For as much as these cars are a treat to drive, it does get to a point not unlike the VW Bus of the same vintage: these are still archaic implements, low on power and creature comforts, and there’s a definite tipping point where those detriments take on real meaning as the price ticks higher. In the case of this very nice 912 with its asking price of $57,600, one has to ask: is there enough driving pleasure here to warrant a $60,000 investment?
That’s a very personal question. This is a lovely 912, with one of the nicer interiors I can recall seeing in an old air-cooled Porsche in recent memory. The seller notes the interior has been restored in places with cognac leather and a handsome wood dash trim kit. The body is said to be highly original and free from major accident damage or rust; the engine and transmission have both been previously rebuilt. The 912 of this vintage came equipped with a 1.6L flat-four churning out 90 horsepower, which was certainly enough for the time but a car that requires some planning on today’s busy on-ramps. If you want originality, there’s sometimes no limit to the price that will be paid, and that’s likely what this seller is counting on.
Nice car. As for price, what I’m seeing these days is cars in as new condition regardless of origin selling for hefty asking prices. The cost of labor and materials is so high that buying an already restored or original car is cheaper in the long run. In the ’60s and ’70s I was restoring cars as fast as I could buy them. A gallon of paint and thinner cost around $35. I just bought a quart of paint to finish our latest race car build for $350 with thinner and hardener costing another $160. The 4 ounce bottle of hardener was $56 alone. Hate to say it but the sport is kicking out us non millionaires.
Well said and true. I am currently looking at cars in the lower price range that only need a few issues addressed to return to road worthy condition and have given up on my dream cars.
Dream car, but the price on 912’s has simply outrun common sense. It doesn’t take many deep-pocket collectors to come to this point; that, and diminishing supply, have moved them well above what average drivers can even think about. I hope whoever buys it will enjoy it for the rest of us:)
A couple of things.The 912 is far from underpowered.At 200 pounds lighter than a 911 I cruise mine easily at 85, getting up to 35 mpg ( its a 5 speed) and then you get on the twisties and it is nimble and fun.Add to that how lovely these early cars are to look at and how incredibly well they were built and you have one wonderful package.Upkeep..just had a full service on mine for under $300 by Anton’s in Sonoma.I say these cars are worth every penny..or do you really want a truly boring SUV?
Sorry, but I have to disagree about the “far from underpowered”. I bought a ’69, 912 in 1976(at college), 2nd owner: the “power” compared to my little British sports car was much less and the “handling” was “decent”, but not as good as my little LBC. Yes, I could modify the little beast(or “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, as we usually called them) with bigger tire, head job, etc, but that cost was too expensive for a college kid. There were other numerous problems that I was able to repair, but that would take too long writing about. Finally sold it in 1986, and was happy it went to someone who might enjoy it more than I did.
For someone who was fortunate enough to enjoy one of these cars in the early 70’s And recently had the opportunity to drive a similar driver quality 912. My advice is don’t mess with the memories it’s not really worth the price of admission
Agreed, as part of my shops routine,I drive “veteran” cars weekly, cars have improved tremendously in an operational sense in 50 years. Like thinking about going to a 50 year school reunion, don’t mess with the memories.
Well this is going to be interesting.Next month we have an Air Cooled Affair Breakfast Club Rally around Sonoma County..obviously only air cooled cars allowed (hope to see a couple of 2CVs).I will be driving my 56A Outlaw and my buddy, who only owns water cooled P cars, is borrowing and driving my stock 1968 912. It will be interesting to hear his feedback after 100 miles of spirited driving on country roads in an “old dated” Porsche..
I paid $4,400 for a new 912 in 1966. That’s $43,100 in today’s dollars. Not “cheap” back then!
I paid $3500. In 1977 for my 68-912. Greed killed the Bath Tubs for us older fellows.