This 1966 Porsche 912 could be dubbed a bit of a Frankenstein car, due to the fact that it has been the subject of so many changes. Given the fact that the 912 was initially developed as an entry-level vehicle in the Porsche range, they did enjoy quite some popularity. It will be interesting to see if they remain popular enough for someone to take on this restoration project. If you feel that you are up to the task, then the Porsche has a clear title and is just waiting for you in Apache Junction, Arizona. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay.
It’s really hard to know where to start on this 912. The owner does say that there are some rust spots in the rockers, as we can see. There also appears to be rust in the leading edge of the trunk, but we don’t know for sure how the floor pans are. The beauty of the 912 lies in its elegant simplicity, and the addition of a pile of fiberglass on this car hasn’t done it any favors. I really don’t know whether it would be worth persevering with all of the additions, or whether the new owner would be better served by trying to return the body to stock.
There’s really not much that can be said about the interior. It will need a total restoration, but apart from the dash, there’s not a lot that can be salvaged. The door trims have holes for speakers cut in them, and the seats are definitely not original. Given the state of the body, the state of the interior, and the fact that the engine is currently removed from the car, I think that whoever takes on this 912 will be faced with stripping it to a bare shell, having it media blasted, and then starting with a blank slate.
The engine and transmission continue the relentless deviation from standard. The original 1,600cc has made way for an 1,800cc Type 4 engine. This is said to have run before it was removed from the car. The 912 is fitted with a 5-speed transmission, but it is unclear whether or not this is original. There’s no doubt that the engine and transmission combination could provide excellent cruising capabilities for the 912, but the car would no longer be a numbers matching car.
It is hard to know where to go with this 912. As far as project-grade Porsches go, with an opening bid set at $7,500, it is one of the cheapest ones on the market at present. Nice examples will still fetch prices in excess of $30,000, but this one has a way to go before it reaches those lofty heights. The beauty of these as a project car is that they are not particularly difficult to both disassemble and reassemble, and replacement parts for any rusty panels are easy to source. To me, the big question is whether there is someone out there who is willing to take it on?
This is the worst thing that could have happened to this car. You are North of $40,000.00 to get it to very decent driver and the parts are everywhere and expensive. The only reason to take on this car is to affirm it as part of the Porsche History. I know people will yell at me but the car is worth $1000.00 maybe the way it sits.
Stick an LS in it!
Buy it now before some 356 hoarder grabs it, gets the hype up to raise prices, then re sells it at a crazy price. Wonder who would do something like that?
Hmmm, who you ask?
Stick as LS in it and push it off a dock.
A cryin’ shame. However, for the right price it could be a very freeing and fun project. I say go with a very simple, clean interior treatment. POR-15 the pan. The door cards are just flat panels, add pull straps for handles, Rehab the cool original steering wheel add some RS clone buckets. Do the aforementioned stripping, rust repair. Hopefully there’s enough rear fender left to swap the ugly “Testerossa” flairs for some smaller RS flairs. Now here’s the good part: In the name of budget and performance, drop in a Suby engine. Doesn’t even have to be turbo’d. 165hp and 2K lbs would do me just fine. Careful rattle can paint then run rings around any other 912, most early 911s, and drive purists absolutely bonkers! Wish this fantasy could be my reality!
Needs a coat of house paint and an early rotary engine that spits fire. THEN you can apply for PCOA membership.
Rough car. 912s had the same 5 speed as the 911. 1st was left under the reverse position. Same gearbox went into the 914s but the long linkage to the rear was not ideal. Considering almost nothing is original the Suby 6 would be a great choice. The 1.8 is a smog engine and takes severe modification to get decent power. In either case you have to fabricate pans to seal off the engine compartment. Buy it cheap and play with it until you get a car.
No one is buying 912’s right now, I wish they were, I have a few of them….
Adam, Why have 912’s gone cold?
We had a ’69 912 Targa in show condition. Too perfect to drive. Bad choice.
Modifiers, must have been on the hashish! What a mess!
Not creative enough for hash. Probably moonshine.
Adam which 912 you want to get rid of? I know of at least one person buying them now.