For Sale at Auction: 1968 Porsche 912 in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. 12803738
Engine No. 832242

For all the plaudits the short wheelbase "early 911s" (1965-1968) receive, it is often forgotten that the original 912 was offered side-by-side with the 911, outselling it two-to-one throughout the 1960s. Why? Well, the 912 offered numerous advantages. First, it shares the same 900-series unibody and its looks with the 911. Weight distribution, long considered the weak spot of the early 911 is moved toward the center with a lighter-weight engine over the rear suspension. Overall weight was down too with improved economy and running costs. While early 911 owners were fiddling with tricky Solex carburetors and recalls of their leaky heat exchangers, 912 owners were happily driving along with a highly advanced variant of the alloy 1,600 cc air-cooled flat-four that has powered most Porsche street cars since 1948. In fact, a 912 could be optioned to the same high level and either ordered as a coupe or targa-just like a 911.

Completed on 20 March 1968, The Kardex warranty card for this 912 Coupe records it is a U.S.-market example distributed by Porsche of America Corporation (POAC) finished in Irish Green over a Brown upholstered interior. It was optioned with a U.S.-band Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio with dash speak and antenna, bumper horns with rubber strips front and rear, and chromed steel wheels. Its first owner was Melvin O. Ryder of Buffalo, New York.

Today this delightful 912 Coupe remains finished in its original livery of Irish Green over a Brown upholstered interior with brown carpeting. The exterior is accentuated with the removal of the front bumperettes and 1968-only side reflectors and the addition of silver painted steel wheels and gold Porsche side stripes, engine lid lettering, and bumper stripes. Furthermore, it wears Rest of World front and rear signal lighting and H4 headlights within its U.S. market housings. Power is supplied by a type 616/16 1.6-liter flat-four engine originally fitted to a 1966 912. Finished in attractive colors and wearing a suite of esthetic exterior enhancements, this 912 offers an alluring entry to vintage 1960s Porsche ownership.