1968 Porsche 912 Coupé

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, it 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 original 1968, Irish Green, Porsche 912 was imported last year from the USA and has since undergone a body and mechanical restoration. The body was stripped back to bare metal and painted by an established classic car restoration company and, pleasingly, the only serious panel repairs needed were the floor pans which were completely replaced as the vendor was absolutely clear that he did not want any patching or plating. All the spot welds were drilled and the floors fitted properly. The rest of the car is original so the panel fit is superb.

Naturally, during the body restoration, both the engine and gearbox were removed. The gearbox was fully rebuilt with new synchros on all gears and rings and the engine was subject to a top-end rebuild with the valves reground and new springs etc. All the complex tinware associated with the 911/912 was stripped and repainted. The seats, headlining and door cards are all original and in excellent condition.

Additional work carried out during the restoration includes;

- Gear stick and pedal assembly stripped, blasted and repainted.

- All brake callipers rebuilt and painted. New master cylinder.

- Dashboard has been professionally recovered and fitted with new dash top panel and the dials refurbished.

- All new rubber seals, aluminium trim parts and windscreen

- Brand new tyres all round, shock absorbers, all mounts, lights and much more.

This is a matching numbers car, and has the desirable 5-speed gear box, a five dial dash, factory polished Fuchs alloys, and comes with its original handbooks and, surprisingly, some good history from America. So long the forgotten sibling, 912s are now seen as really 'cool', particularly in the case of this example which echoes the purity of early 911s. So much work has gone into this lovely Irish Green car to bring it to the condition in which you see it today that it must surely represent serious value for money. The car is UK registered with a long MOT and is ready to be driven away.