Monday 24 January 2011

Awaiting TLC - Porsche 912



From 1965 to 1969 around 30,000 entry level Porsche 912's were sold, featuring the body of the then all new Porsche 911 with the 90 horsepower motor from the old Porsche 356.



In 1967 well known Polish Porsche privateer Sobiesław Zasada won the European Rally Championship in his 912 fitted with a factory supplied rally kit.



The 912 was replaced by the 914 allegedly built in a not so harmonious collaboration with Volkswagen from 1970 - 1976.



In 1976 914's were temporarily replaced in the the Porsche line up by 2099 additional 912 E's, with 911 G series bodies and 2 litre engines from the ill feted 914/4, built exclusively for the US market until the arrival of the water cooled Porsche 924.



Porsche 912's are easily recognisable when looking at the engine, they only have 4 cylinders instead of the 6 of the 911.



This particular model was on it's way to the Porschmode Specialist body shop for some long overdue TLC when I happened on it at the end of last year.



Hope you have enjoyed today's in need of TLC edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you'll join me again tomorrow for a look at one of the most outrageous Porsches ever built by the factory. Don't forget to come back now !

6 comments:

  1. This one looks a little rough. I remember Chief's Dad, J2Allard, had a 912. I sure do miss that car. My only experience ever driving a Porsche.

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  2. A back to bare metal project for sure Racer, I look forward to seeing how it progresses :-)

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  3. OOOOOH My! There is a substitute for that one. I see a lot of money going into that one.

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  4. As Racer187 said I did own a 1968 312 Porche. I have only found memories of this car. I believe a previous owner had put in larger barrels of about 1.8 litre size, also had Weber carbs. While it was not the fastest accelerating car it sure cruised at any speed I felt like driving it. It was the most comfortable sports car I hae driven up to then. Much better than my TC MG! Unfortunately it had some rust problems, that I did not want to deal with, and I had found a decent low milage 944. The 912 had to be sold, and it did. It went back to Europe were they are highly prized. The 912 had the highest state of tune of all the 356 based cars and combined with its light weight made it an ideal good handling car.
    I drove a BMW Z4 before buying my Caymen, and I must say it was a great car, but when I drove the Cayman I felt like I was driving an old friend. There is just something special about Porches.
    J2Allard

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  5. `i did not ask the guy at Porschmode the estimated cost of restoration JC just thinking about it is painful enough.


    That's some jump from a TC to a 912 John !

    Many countries in Europe have a reduced road tax break for under 2 litre cars, that might be one reason, above and beyond it's superior handling of course, the 912 was highly prised here when you sold.

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  6. Those Boxters are a fantastic used used buy in the US. 10-15K gets you into a crazy fun car. I think my Miata wants to become one when it grows up.

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