To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Taj Ma
Garaj Collection event, 28 September 2019.
Estimate:
$350,000 - $450,000
- Unquestionably among the finest, most original 1967 911 S
coupes
- Matching numbers throughout; extensively optioned
- Low-mileage example; just three owners from new
- Ordered directly through the factory and prepared for Tourist
Delivery
- Presented with an extensive documentation accounting for its
entire history from day one
- Includes copy of Kardex and Certificate of Authenticity
The year 1967 saw the introduction of Porsche's first
high-performance 911�the 911 S, or "Super." Building on the already
impressive 911 platform, the new 160 bhp "S" featured a
higher-compression (9.8:1) engine with larger valves, forged
light-alloy pistons on forged and nitride connecting rods, a
revised exhaust system, and a pair of 40 mm Weber triple-throat
downdraft carburetors. The new 911 S came standard with new
4.5�15-inch Fuchs lightweight forged alloy wheels, Koni shock
absorbers, ventilated brake discs, a larger-diameter front
anti-roll bar, and a new rear anti-roll bar. Porsche added some
additional distinctive trim to the body, while the engineers also
managed to trim its weight. The new 911 S, capable of 140 mph,
would become the benchmark for precision-built, well-equipped, and
moderately priced sports cars.
Offered from the Taj Ma Garaj is an incredibly original 1967 911 S
with a fascinating and exceedingly well-documented history that
includes virtually every piece of paperwork associated with its
purchase, delivery, and subsequent use. This magnificent example
was ordered new from the factory by Mr. Robert Rice Graham, an
automotive shop foreman employed by the Arabian-American Oil
Company (ARAMCO), in Dharan, Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Graham's interest in Porsche ownership dates to at least 1961,
based on a typewritten letter sent to Klaus von Marnitz at Raffay &
Cie. GmbH in Hamburg, Germany, the largest Porsche dealer in
northern Germany, acknowledging receipt of sales literature for the
new 1962 model 356. He enclosed a $500 deposit on a new
U.S.-specification 356 B Super coupe, red with white leather, and
listed specific options desired, which were many. He emphasized
that the car had to be delivered to the U.S. by the first week of
1962. He later decided to pick the car up at the factory.
In October 1963, Mr. Graham learned of the soon-to-be-introduced
six-cylinder Type 901 and wrote to Porsche asking for detailed
information on availability. H. C. Ernst replied on 7 November,
informing Graham that production of the 901 would not begin until
summer of 1964, with the first deliveries scheduled for the end of
the year. Graham then asked if he could possibly order a car and
pick it up at the factory when he was on vacation in the fall. Herr
Ernst replied that because there was already a growing list of
orders and the factory was only producing one or two cars per day,
a fall delivery was not possible. He intimated that a car might be
available at the end of the year.
Apparently, that was agreeable to Mr. Graham, and on 19 January
1966, Graham wrote back asking to order a new car, mentioning his
previous purchase and asking to have the car ready for factory
delivery in October. Porsche then mailed to him a detailed price
list of optional equipment and accessories that would be available.
Porsche's sales office explained to Graham that the customary
process was for a buyer to work through a franchised dealer, but in
his case an exception would be made, and he could buy directly from
the factory. Graham was sent an order form for Tourist Delivery,
and a deposit was requested.
Mr. Graham sat down with a sharpened pencil and again prepared a
detailed list of specifications, many replicating the way his 356 B
had been equipped. On 16 February he wrote back that he wanted a
car in Silver Metallic, but asked for a factory color chart. The
interior was to be full black leather, including headrests. He
asked for full Catacolor tinted glass, a raised steering wheel hub
(found to be unavailable), a rear window wiper, two outside
mirrors, an outside thermometer, chrome hubcaps with crests, a
driver's sun visor with mirror, seat belts, floor mats, a Becker
"Mexico" AM/FM/SW radio with speakers and antenna, bumper guards
with rubber cushions, Koni adjustable shocks, three black-and-red
canvas suitcases, a similar canvas bag, an elastic luggage
hold-down for the trunk, and finally, a roof-mounted luggage rack
and leather straps. He also ordered a factory service manual and
asked if such items as wire screen headlamp covers and a larger
auxiliary oil cooler might be available to help deal with desert
heat.
On 1 March, a cursory note arrived from the factory asking if
Graham had decided on a color. He cabled back that he still had not
received a color chart. He soon received a letter with an attached
paint sample explaining that Silbermetall (6206) was the only hue
that met Graham's needs, that stone guards were not offered, and
that the stock oil radiator would be adequate for Middle Eastern
climes. Graham confirmed the order, telling Porsche that he planned
to drive the car to Switzerland�for which he'd need a refundable
Carnet (travel pass) from the German Automobile Club�then load it
on a freighter at Genoa, and then to Beirut and on to Kuwait.
On 22 July, Porsche informed Mr. Graham that he should choose
either a standard 911 or the new 1967 911 S, which included as
standard equipment many of the options he had picked. A week later,
Graham replied that he'd take the 911 S, and submitted a new list
of desired options, including a roof-top rack to accommodate skis,
a travel kit, and a Becker "Grand Prix" radio. The total price with
registration and export charge was $7,143, which included some
$1,300 in optional equipment. He'd already sent a deposit, so he
brought along a certified check for the balance due, $6,658. In
September Graham ordered an air-conditioning unit from Delair at a
cost of $375, to be shipped to Mr. Graham in Dharan. That unit was
either never installed or subsequently removed from the car.
Porsche cabled Graham to advise that the car would be ready for
pickup on 18 October. The week before, Automotive News published a
story about the exciting new 911 S; the clipping found its way into
Graham's document file. Mr. Graham duly picked up his car in
Stuttgart and also loaded up at the company gift shop, purchasing
no fewer than 54 Porsche-related items ranging from books and
models to whiskey glasses and desk pads. Departure from Genoa was
booked for 5 November 1966 aboard the SS Esperia. En route to
Italy, Mr. Graham discovered some electrical problems with his new
911 that required replacement of the wiring harness between the
dashboard and fuse panel; new parts were dispatched to him from the
factory, and repairs were made in Italy.
In September 1969 Mr. Graham made arrangements to have his Porsche
air-shipped to Frankfurt, transferred to Bremerhaven, Germany, and
then transported by the SS Minden to Port Elizabeth, New Jersey,
where it would be picked up by his wife, Sophia. The car arrived
stateside and passed through U.S. Customs on 7 November.
Mr. Graham added very few miles after bringing the car to his home
in Escondido, California, maintaining it properly and dutifully
keeping a log of his mileage and service until it was sold to Mr.
Alfred Hu of Alhambra on 12 November 1998. Mr. Hu entrusted the
care of the 911 S to marque experts at Andial, then located in
Orange County. He carried out some minor service and ...for more
information please contact the seller.