For Sale: 1968 Porsche 912 in Costa Mesa, California

1968 Porsche 912 Coupe

• VIN 12801697
• Engine No. 1281717 - Matching
• Delivered January 25, 1968
• Southern California 912 from new

Two-owner, Southern California 912, well-documented with exceptional provenance and originality. Original California black license plates and finished in its factory color combination of Irish Green with a Tan interior. One owner for five decades, followed by a full restoration from 2023 to 2025 by the second owner.

Delivered new by Johnson Pacific Co., Inc. of Oakland, California, to the first owner, Mr. Cheu, from Hayward, California, with 9 miles recorded at delivery. Early service was performed by the Porsche dealer throughout 1969, at which time the odometer showed 12,948 miles. Thereafter, maintenance was conducted by independent Porsche specialists, with a detailed handwritten service and mileage log book, maintained between 1973 and 1983. From the late 1980s through 2022, the 912 remained in continuous running condition under the original long-term owner, benefiting from California's favorable climate and care.

In 2022, the 912 was sold to the second owner, who commissioned a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration with an emphasis on correctness and drivability. The paintwork is in beautiful overall condition and was completed by Perfect Color Conditioning in Anaheim, California, in September 2023, to a high standard in the original color, Irish Green, at a cost of over $40,000. Exterior detailing includes original glass, aluminum trim, new rubber seals, and refinished chrome. The interior was upholstered in Saddle leather by K & H European Auto Upholstery in July 2025, including a new dash, front seats with German pepita houndstooth inserts, rear seats, correct 1968-only door panels, German carpets, rear side panels, a package shelf, and a headliner, totaling over $11,000. The interior features headrests, correct brushed-aluminum dashboard trim, VDO instrumentation, and a VDM leather-wrapped steering wheel. 4.5" x 15" chrome slotted steel wheels are mounted with Vredestein Sprint Classic 165 HR15 tires (date-code 2025). The undercarriage and suspension components have been stripped to bare metal and refinished to factory specifications.

Mechanically, powered by the matching 1600cc air-cooled flat-four engine, factory rated at 95 horsepower with a five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel disc brakes. The engine and transmission were rebuilt in September of 2023 by Devito's Porsche Service in Orange, California, for over $21,000. Further mechanical work included a comprehensive suspension overhaul, new tires, a four-wheel alignment, and corner balance completed in October 2025 by Benton Performance in Anaheim, California, ensuring proper ride height and handling balance to factory specifications.

Complete with the original maintenance record booklet confirming the matching engine, owner's manual, handwritten service logbooks, spare wheel, and 57 years of continuous ownership and service history. Rare two-owner provenance and a carefully executed restoration make this 912 Coupe a collectible example of Porsche's early four-cylinder lineage.