1967 Porsche 912 / 911T

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 while 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.

First available to European customers by June 1965 (initially with 1582 cc and 90bhp), the 912 soon became a market leader, particularly in the USA. In the UK, the 912 was some 30% cheaper at £2,466 compared to the £3,488 price tag of the 911 and went on to outsell its six-cylinder sibling by no less than 188% in 1966.

Constructed in late 1966, the 100,000th Porsche built was a 912 Targa police car and the 912 won Car and Driver's 1967 "Readers Choice" Poll for its class. Its nimble handling combined with good reliability made it a popular choice for motor sport teams and a rally prepared 912 won its class in the 1967 European Rally Championship. Production of the 912 ceased in 1969 when over 30,000 had found homes.

This particular 912 was first registered in 1967 as an original UK, right-hand drive short wheelbase car, and remained in daily use up until 15 years ago when it was transformed by James Booth, a VW engineer at VW Hereford. The car was completely refurbished and rebuilt effectively as a 912T with all the interior trim and external badging from an original 911T. The engine was reputed to have been supplied directly from Porsche and has just had new piston rings and all fluids changed after coming out of a nine year hibernation and is coupled to a dog-leg, five-speed gearbox. The recommissioning works were carried out by another highly skilled technician, Brian Woodward who is known for the quality of his work on classic vehicles. Being an early engine, it runs on Solex Zenith carburettors as opposed to the later Webers. The car now rides on Koni Adjustables and the original Fuchs alloys, that were an option when new.All the work was completed to a very high standard and makes this Porsche stand out amongst its peers. The car is also featured on the front cover of Laurence Merediths book, " Porsche 911. Model by Model". Within this publication, is a complete road test on MJR 155E and a number of pictures of this car, some as an original 912.This is the first time this particular Porsche has been on the open market in the last 15 years, and whilst not an original 912T it is really lovely and represents the essence of a late sixties sporting Porsche.