1968 Porsche 911 2.0 SWB

As the 911 legend has grown, so a desire for the pure, original, short-wheelbase version of Porsche"s concept has increased with it. For purity of styling and collector's interest, it is these A-series 911s, before the wheelbase was extended in August 1968, which still have an unrivalled appeal. The flat-six engine is only a 2.0-litre, but it"s a highly tuned one wearing overhead cams and two triple-choke carbs, runs sweetly and suits the handing perfectly.

The car presented here is a 1968 Porsche 911 2.0 SWB, manufactured in March 1968, which was just 5 months before the LWB B-series cars were introduced. The car was destined for the U.S., having been built for that market, but intriguingly it never left Europe. In 1968 the U.S. received the 911 and 911L models, both fitted with the 130bhp (901/14) engine and a dual-circuit braking system. These US cars were fitted with an air pump to control emissions but had the same power output as the equivalent European models. This car"s chassis and engine numbers fit perfectly into the prescribed range for a 1968 911 2.0 Coupé (U.S.), being one of only 473 such examples produced between August 1967 and July 1968.

The car was delivered new via PON Automobielhandel of Amersfoort in the Netherlands, a well-established dealership network that still operates today, and by August 1968 it was in Montpellier, France, owned by a Mr George Allard and being serviced by "Ets Mourier", a Porsche concessionaire. Quite remarkably, the accompanying history file contains the car"s original service schedule booklet, documenting numerous services throughout the 1960s and 1970s. This priceless little booklet is able to transport its reader back almost 50 years, giving a real insight into how cherished this car was. In addition, the bulging history file contains numerous invoices for servicing/maintenance carried out during the same period. Mr Allard owned this car for over 20 years, never sparing servicing or maintenance, more often than not at the well-known "Sunauto" Porsche main dealer in Paris. Interestingly, Mr Allard travelled with the car over to the UK in 1970/71, and whilst here couldn"t resist bestowing on it some additional servicing/maintenance. We can see from the invoices that, in addition to other establishments, it was worked on by the famous UK Porsche main dealer A.F.N Ltd. of London Road, Isleworth on the 8th January 1971, whereupon it received a full service – with an accompanying invoice for £51, 8 Shillings and 8 pence! Simply amazing. Mr Allard certainly loved this Porsche! The history file is a joy to read, knowing that the car"s owner for so long was so diligent with its upkeep, just great provenance and unrepeatable history.

In 1989 the car was sold by Mr Allard to a Mr Manning of Norfolk (with a corresponding invoice, of course!), himself associated with Porsche in the UK. The car was subsequently sold on to a Mr Daniels in 2001/02 and then we believe to our vendor in 2013. Being a classic Porsche-enthusiast, he was astonished by the integrity of the car, both mechanically and cosmetically. Understanding just how special it was, what with its history and matching-numbers status (confirmed by inspection and a Porsche COA), he thought the car deserving of a thorough but sympathetic restoration, to be carried out by his own highly skilled team of engineers. With the car being so unspoilt, wherever possible original parts were simply cleaned, renewed and reinstalled. It has been expertly painted in Polo Red (6802), its original factory colour and the colour we believe it has always been. The interior is wholly original, even down to the carpets, retaining that Porsche "smell" and genuine feel. The car drives as well as you"d expect given its history and restoration. Having been owned and used in Europe its entire life, unsurprisingly at some point it has lost its US-spec engine air pump, making it breath more as its maker intended.

The overall result is hugely satisfying, a best-of-both-worlds car – bringing collectively a sense of real authenticity plus the reassurance of restoration. Now being sold due to a change in circumstances from a small collection of other choice classic cars, this special 911 2.0 SWB is simply not to be missed.