Probably for as long as there have been cars, kids bitten by the automotive bug have tacked up pictures of their favorite machines on walls, sketched them in math notebooks, and carefully studied the sculpted lines of the hottest cars of the day. And while Ferraris transitioned from the 250 GTO to the 308 and then the Enzo, and the Miura gave way to the Countach and the Huracán, one car has remained instantly recognizable since its introduction in 1964. Any time traveler from the mid-Sixties might be hard-pressed to tell a Zonda from a Evora, but he’ll immediately ID the Porsche 911. Sharing the iconic lines (but not the hefty price tag) of its slightly older sibling, this 1969 Porsche 912 is listed here on eBay. Located in Dania, Florida, it can be yours for $25,000, though offers are welcome. Many thanks to T.J. for the tip!

The introduction of the 911 in 1964 marked a changing of the guard at Porsche, as the venerable 356 was due to be phased out the following year. Yet the increased price tag that came along with the new OHC flat six meant that there was room for another offering at the lower end of the market. To meet this demand, the 912 was born, uniting many of the advancements of the 911 in terms of styling, comfort, and handling with a more economical four-cylinder. Though Porsche explored at least two different options for the new car’s engine, the company ultimately decided to equip the 912 with a slightly detuned version of the 1.6L Type 616 B4 that had powered the 356 SC. Producing around 100 hp, power was routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual. With a top speed of 115 mph, an advertised zero-to-sixty time of 12 seconds, and a very attractive price of just under $5,000, the 912 initially outsold the 911 by a wide margin. By the time this example had rolled off the line, however, the 911’s reputation for performance had justified the difference in price in the minds of many drivers, and the 912 was discontinued in favor of the new 914.

Slate Gray is an attractive color and definitely stands out in a sea of white, black, red, and green, but the state of the exterior is going to force a difficult– and potentially expensive– choice. It might be preferable, in this case, to retain the patina: there is a lot of charm in the vintage Porsche graphics down the side of the car. Sadly, much of the interior seems to be buried under various loose panels, random detritus, and filth, making it difficult to get a grasp on what needs doing. While it is possible that the new owner will get lucky here, it’s safer to figure on a complete overhaul. The photos of the undercarriage show some small indications of rust-through that might warrant a first-hand inspection. The VIN number marks it as one of the 3,483 coupes assembled by Karmann for Porsche in 1969, and the engine serial number is appropriate for a North American 912 in 1969. That number is refreshingly easy to read, since the engine isn’t in the car.

As air-cooled 911s become increasingly rare and valuable, the 912 has become more and more desirable. Today, examples that would once have been considered parts cars are meticulously restored to better-than-showroom condition. And regardless of make and model, it’s not often that you’ll come across a relatively solid example that has been sealed away for forty years. The long history of the 356, 911, and 912, together with the widespread passion that these cars inspire, means that there are a massive number of people that know everything about them. The new owner will not have any trouble finding people who can work on the car, if he chooses not to do the work himself. Taken together, this casts a different light on the project, leading one to ask the question: what is that famous silhouette worth?