If this were a Porsche 911 rather than a 912, I suspect people would be fighting tooth and nail over it. As it is, 35 bids have taken it up to over $36,000 here on eBay, and if you are thinking that’s a real bargain, there’s a buy it now of $48,995 that would get you the car right away. It’s located in Pleasanton, California.
The seller tells us the car maintains most of its original paint. Technically I suppose that need only be 51%, but it certainly looks original enough. It also looks very clean and crisp in the white and black color scheme.
I do see what I think are small dings in the trailing edge of the engine compartment lid and a few ripples in the rear apron, but after seeing what art some folks that work in paintless dent repair can perform, it wouldn’t surprise me if you could have this straight in no time. Yes, for those of you it matters to, that is a California black plate. It doesn’t look like 130,553 miles, does it?
The underside looks as nice as the top, with only a few spots of easily addressed surface corrosion to complain about. And after looking at some really rusty 911s and 912s, I don’t think you’re going to sway me much on that front–this is a nice car.
Lo0king inside, if that really is the original upholstery they don’t come much nicer. The owner, a former olympian, left the car alone for 30 years in a “dry California garage.” Apart from the Momo wheel, which I would have left stock, I think this interior is really, really sweet.
The engine really looks the part as well, and here’s a link to a video of it starting and running. While it’s not completely perfect nor a true survivor, if you’re interested in driving an early 901-series car and don’t mind the two missing cylinders, this could be your car! Let us know what you think!
I keep hearing the 912 is becoming a collector’s item. I kind of like them. Already out of my price range.
Lovely car even if it is missing a couple
Cylinders
When 912s are heading for fifty grand, any fantasy I had about finding myself in a non-924 Porsche has been destroyed. Luckily for me, I already have the two missing cylinders stuffed below the tank of my R90.
Regarding Andy’s despair in finding a “a non-924 Porsche” at a reasonable price, Boxster S is the used-Porsche answer. It’s a clean-sheet 911 that hasn’t generated any collector interest. It’s in plentiful supply, a great driver, a true Porsche driving experience, and available for less than $10K. Cautious mechanical concerns over the IMS are reasonable, but largely overblown.
Looks a great car for the money. Only way is up!
I think most of the “P” car guys are at the Hershey show.
A friend of mine used to be a classic car restorer. He restored one of these for his wife, and an early 3.8 E-Type Jag for himself. I had the chance to drive both and feel that he got the better deal with the Jag. The 912 didn’t live up to my expectation for a car carrying the Porsche badge, much to my surprise.
Yes, 356 motor made for a better balanced car.
That is a wives tale……..the 912 engine weighs roughly 100 lbs less than a 911. As for balance, all it takes with a 911 is a simple modulation of power to change under steer to over steer…..much more difficult with the 912 and less power. This looks like a great car but designed and sold as an entry level Porsche. Like the 914 and 924. There are a lot of differences beside 2 cylinders on the engine. Like dry sump. 7500 RPM redline on my 1967 911S, bigger brakes, heavier suspension components, Totally different engine design.
This buy it now is just short of what I sold my ’70 911 T for a year ago. The market seems to be moving again………a 912 for fifty grand……….yikes!
I remember the days when there was a large gap on prices between the S, E, L (owned one of those too) and T cars. People used to change there engine shroud to a red one because that was one way to identify an S car. Today the price range is not as great. I am sure the T’s were the most common and were the entry level 911. The S cars were the fire breathers in all ways, 50% more horsepower, heavier suspension and brakes. The T had an iron crankshaft and was limited to a more modest power and rpm rating…….none the less, an incredible car for every day use.
I like it, very nice…the undercoating looks a little to “fresh”.
4 cylinders is ok…maybe AdamT45 hasn’t seen a 912 or 944 if you want a “bad” Porsche.
Kudo’s to the seller for a nice presentation of the car. It’s not like he’s trying to pass off a Graham Hollywood as a Cord Beverly.
I loved the 944’s I have had. Great fun, well built and nice driving position.
Sorry…I meant to reference the VW-914 Porsche…
I knew what you meant Sam. Maybe my experience with the 912 was ruined by the fact that I drove the Jag immediately before it. I didn’t have high expectations for the Jag and it exceeded them, so maybe my expectations for the 912 were skewed.
I inquired recently about a different early 912 at a different vendor with supposed original paint, no rust, 2 owners from new, interior and mechanicals in great condition in a beautiful looking light green exterior, black interior. I lost interest when I was told that the ask was $95,000, Yes, ninety five thousand dollars. For a 912. The car was shown as sold very shortly after I inquired (not to me, of course).
This car looks pretty nice as well, about the same as the one I inquired about based on the pictures (but not having seen either in person).
So yes, these are on the rise, big time.
Fantastic cars. Personally, I never saw the attraction.( probably something to do with my fathers hatred of German cars) While German cars are simply the best, I thought the styling just too odd for me. I’m a traditionalist with cars and trucks, and I like engines in front of me, not under, behind or next to me. I’ll admit, a 6 banger would be exhilarating, but this always seemed to be a glorified VW. ( or visa-versa) And for the price of a nice house in N.Wis. ( if you dare) I’ll pass.
Agree with Sam, that undercoat looks fresh. Any time I see that I know I need to poke and prod at all the usual places for rust or any places that look suspicious. It’s too tempting for some sellers to cover corrosion with undercoat.
OTOH it looks to be a CA car, albeit San Francisco area, so might be fine under there. But if so, then just clean it up, maybe restore to the original finish, and let potential buyers see how good it is. That’s what I am doing with my current resto. Let the buyer undercoat it if he wants….after the sale.
Also agree with Howard. Engine in front, preferably a front-mid engine placement mostly behind the front axle line.
When I think of 912, I remind myself that the picture-perfect $3000 912 in my mind existed 35 years ago. Makes me feel old. Makes me feel foolish letting my gray-market ’79 911SC go for $12000 . . . 20 years ago.
I think we all have cars like that. I turned down an Aston V8 for $12k in the late 90’s (in the UK)
In 1970 I walked away from a C1 Corvette for $1,200. In 1972, it was a running (barely) 1958 356 for $400. I gave up a 1973 Capri V6 in 1975 (try to find one of THOSE today!). Then, in 1995, I passed on a 1965 356 C for $9,500 (in fairness, I owned that same bathtub in the mid ’70’s and knew where the flaws were buried).Today I have a 2010 987 Boxster S and I’m hanging on to that little gem for dear life!
I have a chance to trade for a VERY nice 66 912. White on red. Old friend of mine…he wants my first house, a small place on the river that I don’t value that much. I want to do it…but keep getting hung up on the whole “car for a house” thing. Be a good way to avoid all the expenses/taxes of selling a house though. It just might be worth doing!
I’d rather have an economical nicely balanced 912 than a 911 of the same vintage, and wish I could buy this one.
4 or 5-speed?
Joe, What river and state is your small house on? I have a friend who still has the 66 Porsche her dad paid $5500 new. Has about 100K but has had engine replaced, as well as the dual carbs 10 years back. It’s parked in her garage and is covered.. Maybe I’ll ask her what she wants. Let me know about your house.
Northern PA, on the Susquehanna.
W-D 40 sure makes the “OE” underside side shinny…just saying. Still like the 356 best.