To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Taj Ma
Garaj Collection event, 28 September 2019.
Estimate:
$150,000 - $200,000
- Only 3,937 miles recorded
- Nicely optioned; very rare right-hand-drive example
- Retains its matching-numbers drivetrain
- Includes copy of Kardex and Certificate of Authenticity
Over the years, relatively few Porsches left the factory destined
for markets which mandated right-hand controls. These were
primarily in the United Kingdom and Japan. The reason was simple:
Fabricating a mirror-image front floor pan, pedal box, front trunk
floor, dashboard, and relocating the steering box or rack was
complex and expensive, especially for a small-volume manufacturer.
That said, there is considerable evidence that right-hand-drive
911s were built in small batches after the end of each regular
production run and then shipped overseas.
This 1967 911 coupe is one of 3,421 examples produced for that
model year's "O-series" and one of significantly fewer with
right-hand drive. It retains its original, numbers-matching Type
901/05 air-cooled flat-six with a chain-driven single overhead cam
on each bank, dry-sump lubrication, and Weber carburetors, which
replaced the earlier use of Solex overflow carbs in July 1966. The
two-liter, eight-bearing engine delivers a wholly adequate 130 bhp
at 6,100 rpm, along with 128 foot-pounds of torque at 4,200
rpm.
There is a five-speed, fully synchronized manual gearbox,
rack-and-pinion steering, and a 16.4-gallon gas tank with an
electric fuel pump. Sub-nine-second sprints to 60 miles an hour
were easily achieved, with a maximum of 132 miles an hour
available. The 911 always boasts superior braking, and the early
models were no exception, with ATE disc brakes on all four wheels.
Said Road & Track in 1966, "...the brakes are so uniformly
excellent that no matter the road conditions, including undulating
surfaces, the brakes pull the speed down surely, smoothly, without
the slightest trace of unbalance or uneven pulling."
This lovely 1967 short-wheelbase coupe was completed 1 August 1966
and sold new to Mr. J.W. Clark, a resident of Mount Royal, a suburb
of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. While it is unclear why Mr. Clark
ordered a right-hand-drive Porsche, the included factory Kardex and
Certificate of Authenticity show that he specified a broad range of
comfort and convenience options, suggesting that he may have
planned to use the car for touring, possibly in the UK. These
included headrests for both front seats; an outside thermometer; a
pair of black leather suitcases that fit on the folded rear seats,
and an "expander," an elastic cord net to hold luggage in place; a
sun visor with mirror, and a hand-held spotlight. Mr. Clark
requested that the car be equipped with Koni shock absorbers; a
pair of "automatic" seat belts; a wood-rimmed steering wheel; a
Blaupunkt "New York" radio, speaker, and antenna; and a set of
chromed steel wheels with crested hubcaps that were fitted with
Phoenix tires. The Light Ivory paint was complemented by a Black
leatherette interior.
The Kardex shows that the car was delivered and initially serviced
in Germany, but reflects that the Porsche eventually crossed the
Atlantic, where it was maintained by Porsche-VW of Canada in 1967
and 1968, when the odometer read a mere 2,113 miles. Its subsequent
ownership history until the time it was purchased by Mr. John Dixon
of the Taj Ma Garaj Collection in Ohio is unknown. At some point
after its arrival in Canada, a factory-authorized Renair "Delanair"
air-conditioning system was installed. While 1967 was the first
year that air-conditioning became a factory option, these units
were installed though the dealership.
Today this wonderful early 911 displayed an amazingly low 3,937
miles at the time of cataloguing, and based on the service records
that accompany the car, there is every reason to believe that that
is the correct total from new. A close inspection indicates no
obvious body repairs, but testing with a paint meter found the
paint thickness slightly heavier than the factory standard,
indicating that the car may have had some freshening in the past.
That fact was confirmed with a review of repair and maintenance
invoices provided. The interior, including the headliner,
carpeting, dash pads, door cards, and seat covers, appear to be
original and in excellent condition, and the exterior trim is
pristine. It is supplied with a copy of the factory Kardex and
Porsche-issued CoA, a set of owner's and air-conditioning
operator's manuals, a warranty book, spare, jack, and a tool
kit.
This is quite likely the sole example of an early right-hand 911
with these factory options. With the rarely seen air-conditioning
system and boasting such low mileage, it would surely warrant
inclusion in any collection of high-performance European sports
cars.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/tg19.