1965 Porsche 912

• Delightful, early 5-dial dashboard, short wheelbase, 5-speed, four-cylinder 912
• Imported from the USA in 2009. Subject to extensive works by Tower Bridge Porsche (ú28,000)
• Further invoices (Strasse, Roger Bray and Renn Sport) take total spend to over ú42,000
• Full, engine and glass-out respray in Porsche Schwarz 041, new interior, new headlining
• New floor pans, inner and outer sills, fuel tank and fuel lines, and refurbed alloys
• Fitted with a rebuilt, period-correct, original 912 engine dated 1967. (Original matching-numbers engine block is included in the sale)

The question of how to tempt new customers into Porsche ownership has always been problematic. On the one hand, you're trying to uphold the reputation of the company as a purveyor of high-quality, high-performance sports cars whilst on the other, you're anxious not to alienate those potential customers whose budget won't stretch to a new 911. In 1964, Porsche had just such a problem with the sales of their new 911 proving a touch disappointing and continuing demand for the 356, which was scheduled to be phased out, necessitating that the production lines kept rolling. The solution seemed to be financial, and the decision was made to replace the 356 with a four-cylinder, more appropriately priced 911 and, as a result, the 912 (initially 902) was conceived.

Like so many Porsche 912s, this particular example was delivered new in left-hand drive to its first owner in the USA during December 1965. Originally finished in Aga Blue with a Beige leatherette interior, the car was ordered with tinted glass and chrome wheel hubs. Some 44 years later in 2009, it was imported to the UK from the US (a copy of a Certificate of Title for Virginia State resides in the history file) and, upon arrival, was subject to extensive works by marque specialists, Tower Bridge Porsche. The work included; stripping of interior and removal of glass, removal of engine and gearbox, replacement floor pans, inner and outer sills, new fuel tank, new fuel lines, replacement headlining, refurbishment of the Fuchs alloys, a full respray in Porsche Schwarz 041 and a new interior featuring Renn Sport houndstooth sports seats and Coco mats. The invoice for this work totalled ú28,000 and there are a host of parts invoices from Strasse, Roger Bray and Renn Sport also included in the history file with total spend exceeding ú42,000. The car is currently fitted with a rebuilt original, period-correct (1967) 912 engine which was fitted by Strasse in 2013. The 'matching-numbers' engine block is included in the sale but will require a rebuild before it can be married to the car once again. Supplied with a UK V5C, this is a good opportunity to acquire a really smart, 5-dial dashboard, 5-speed, short-wheelbase Porsche 912.