Stunning 1967 Porsche 912 Is a Fine Example of a Special Breed
Those who appreciate the sheer joy of driving will undoubtedly love this pristine example of a classic Porsche 912.
When Porsche introduced the 911 in 1964, it was quite the monumental occasion. It also represented a new era for the automaker as it brought a proper modern sports car to market. But at the time, the 356 was still around, and suddenly an entry level model. So the Porsche 912 was conceived to bridge that gap. Though is was less expensive and considerably less powerful than the 911, the 912 was special in its own way.
Though it looked virtually identical to the 911, the 912 was powered not by a flat-six, but the 356’s 1.6-liter flat-four with lower compression and different Solex carburetors. It offered up a mere 90 horsepower versus the 356’s 95 ponies, and was managed via a four-speed manual transmission. There was more to the story than numbers, however, as this newly revised engine offered up peak torque at a lower rpm.
The other major benefit was weight. The 912’s flat-four was much lighter than the 911’s flat-six, and gave the 912 superior weight distribution. As a result, the handling was balanced, resulting in a very satisfying driving experience. That’s made the 912 a popular car among enthusiasts these days, and this 1967 Porsche 912 we spotted over at Barrett-Jackson is one of the nicer ones we’ve seen in some time.
The Bahia Red beauty features a stunning interior with cork leatherette and cloth inserts, and it all looks like brand new. That’s largely due to the fact that the Porsche has a mere 42,800 miles on the clock. The car has reportedly spent most of its life in Southern California and Texas, and has obviously been well-cared for. It even comes with a maintenance history that spans all the way back to 1974, which is pretty amazing.
While mostly original, this gorgeous 912 has a few updates worth noting. One is a pair of Weber down-draft carburetors, which was a popular period modification designed to address the troublesome stock Solex carbs. The car is also fitted with Highlight Euro headlamps, front and rear vent windows, and a Blaupunkt radio. But nothing that detracts from the car’s original character.
Those who appreciate sheer driving pleasure over raw speed know exactly how special the 912 is. And we imagine that there will be plenty of folks lining up to bid on this amazing example when it hits the virtual block on July 6.
Photos: Barrett-Jackson
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