1966 Porsche 912

Registration No: ALA 66A
Chassis No: 352569
MOT: Exempt

• An early and desirable three-dial short wheelbase 912
• Current ownership since 2017 and comprehensively maintained
• Imported from California in 1989 and subjected to extensive mechanical works since
• Fitted with a five-speed manual transmission

First appearing in July, 1964, the birth of the 911 marked the end of 356 production. Customers immediately noticed the differences from its predecessor, but with many improvements came a large price increase – the 911 was around $2,000 more than the old 356. Thus, by April, 1965, a "middle ground" was achieved. The new 912 (essentially a 911 with a four-cylinder 356 engine) was less expensive and customers quickly noticed better weight distribution and better economy. Eventually outselling the 911 in the years it was current, more than 30,000 had left the Stuttgart factory by the time production ceased in 1969. One particular change during 912 manufacture came in its final year, when the wheelbase was increased from 2211mm (SWB) to 2268mm (LWB). The engine and rear suspension stayed in the same position but the suspension trailing arms were lengthened. This necessitated the rear wheel arches being moved rearward too.

Spectacularly finished in vibrant yellow, it is easy to imagine this Porsche being hustled along California’s sun-soaked highways in the 1960s, and its documented history begins in California, where it was residing by 1999. It had moved to Arizona by 2008, when it was exported to Northern Ireland, but by 2012 it was on the British mainland with an owner in Surrey, who registered it for British roads in March, 2012. According to the then-owner, it “underwent a complete ground-up restoration [in Northern Ireland, and] it was purchased [by us] as an almost-finished project.”

The owner oversaw a lot of finishing work, which involved fine-tuning the engine, refitting the brakes, replacing one of the door skins and having the steering wheel repaired. Lighting and electrical faults had to be rectified, and a coil and dynamo were among the new parts fitted. All the work performed during this time is detailed in invoices totalling over £7,500.

By 2015, the Porsche had been sold, and it has been in the present ownership since 2017. Expenditure since 2019 has exceeded £2,500, with regular maintenance by European Cars of Buntingford, a specialist German car garage. In addition to light servicing, European Cars also adjusted the tappets in 2019, cleaned the brake discs and had the callipers repaired in 2021, and renewed the brake master cylinder in May, 2025.

It is clearly a car which has been both loved and enjoyed, and it is described as “a good driver’s car,” a credit no doubt helped by the presence of the desirable five-speed gearbox. It is exceedingly nice cosmetically, though it has been treated as a road car rather than a show queen, and the interior is in a pleasing and well-preserved state of originality. The original Decca tape deck and speakers are a particularly lovely inclusion. A large collection of invoices and a California title are included as well as the current V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430