Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 301450
Engine No. 901615
From the very first production year and arguably purest designed
911 model, this Bali Blue matching numbers example perfectly
encompasses Butzi's original idea of the 911 while boasting
pedigreed history and professional, no-expense-spared restoration
work. According to the digital copy of the original Porsche factory
Kardex warranty card on file, this spectacular example was
completed at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche plant during June of
1965 as it appears today, with the elegant 911 Coupe bodywork
finished in Baliblau (Bali Blue) over a Black leather interior,
which the car retains to this day exceptional preserved condition.
An optional Webasto heater was fitted, along with loudspeaker and
antenna for the dash-mounted radio. The new Porsche was slated to
be delivered through legendary Parisian Porsche agent Sonauto -
France's first official Porsche importer - established and owned by
Porsche factory driver Auguste "Toto" Veuillet; who had piloted
Porsche's very first Works Le Mans 24 Hour entries during the early
1950s. Veuillet, close with both Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche, is
credited with helping Porsche to succeed at "La Sarthe" in the
early years, a true milestone for the legendary manufacturer.
The new Porsche 911 had been ordered by U.S. Army Col. John Price,
based in Orleans, France at the time, surely as a recreational mode
of sporting transportation while the high-ranking Colonel was based
in Europe. The Kardex further indicates than Col. Price would have
the 911 serviced at Sonauto on a couple occasions during the Summer
of 1965, and again in November that year, when the Colonel had
enjoyed some 8,000 European kilometers in the car. By December of
1965, Col. Price brought his exotic Porsche 911 Stateside, first to
Kansas and later to Colorado. Surely very fond of his desirable
Porsche, with many good memories of European trips in the car, Col.
Price would retain the car until 2012, when acquired by the
consignor, a Southern California based Porsche collector.
With the vision of preserving the integrity and originality of this
incredible Bali Blue first-year 911, the consignor entrusted noted
Porsche restorer and PCA judge Tom Drummond to oversee a full
exterior and mechanical restoration of the car to factory correct
specifications. Beginning in 2014, the two-year job included a
bodywork restoration and bare metal respray in the original color
of Bali Blue, while all mechanical aspects of the car were equally
thoroughly restored. The matching numbers 2.0-liter engine was
rebuilt by the Porsche specialists at Precision Motion of Colton,
California along with the five-speed transmission, while
suspension, braking and fuel systems were completely disassembled
and restored. The original chrome and brightwork was replated and
fitted with new gaskets and seals. Receipts on file total over
$165,000 for the professional exterior and mechanical restoration
work the Porsche received, while further receipts indicate service
and maintenance work carried out in 2023.
Today this pure and elegant first-generation Porsche 911 presents
with a level of authenticity and sympathetic preservation rarely
seen on these cars. Inside, the original Black leather interior
exudes a warm and irreplaceable patina, testimony to Col. Price's
devoted custodianship. The charming wood-paneled dashboard and
wood-rimmed steering wheel remain in situ, a characteristic feature
seen on these early 911s which Porsche soon after substituted for
more futuristic plastic trim, while the classic Blaupunkt radio
adorns the dash. Original badges have been preserved throughout,
such as the correct "orange bar" Porsche hood badge. Impeccable
attention to factory-correct detail is apparent throughout the car,
down to the correct screws and trim, and little red washers on the
vent-window hinges. The engine bay houses the original matching
numbers 2.0-liter unit and original ancillaries such as Bendix
Pierburg fuel pump and Solex 40 PI carburetors breathing through
the original-style, three-piece air cleaner. The date coded chrome
wheels match the spare and are wrapped on appropriate Vredestein
Classic tires. Offered with this desirable 911 is the original
service book referencing Col. Price's exciting early European years
with this Porsche which he would go on to cherish for nearly
half-a-Century, along with the original driver's manual in the
original Porsche pamphlet and restoration receipts.
As is often the case when it comes to collector cars; the very
first iteration of a popular model often remains hallowed for its
purity in design, which is very much true with the first model-year
911s. This tremendous matching-numbers, factory Bali Blue example
boasts exciting history of European delivery to its first and
highly devoted custodian Col. Price, in addition to thoughtful, no
expense spared restoration work encapsuling the cars original,
preserved interior. A timeless Porsche indeed.
