Edgy01

The 912 is actually a better handling car than a 911 from the same period. The engine is substantially lighter, and thus the entire 'engine hanging off the backend' feeling of the 911 is not there.

I consider the 912E a 912 as well. (Just like I consider ANY 914 a Porsche). With the 912E you finally were able to get an affordable 'modern' Porsche with 4 cylinders. If you ever find a yellow one with black interior originally owned by "Robert Hess" DO NOT let it get away. He did things to make them last!

I still miss my 914, my 77 911S, and my 81 911 turbo--great cars for the time. I only wish I could have held on to all my Porsches over the years.

Greg D.

Ok, rephrasing "It's probably the best value in the P-car world...that I would not be embarassed to be seen driving" ;-)

Apologies to the 924 crowd... but hell, it Is the 912 forum ! ;-)

Jay Gratton

Your right, of all the cars I talked about the 912 is the car I would most like to drive on a daily basis. It is sexy and looks like a Porsche in my opinion.

Jay Laifman

Well, of all things, I had the opportunity to drive a 912E for the first time today. I was much more impressed than I have been with the earlier 912s that I've driven over the years. On top of it, it is owned by a friend and he's selling it. So, if anyone out there is looking for one, let me know! It has been garaged for many years and appears to be VERY straight and unmolested. The engine was extremely smooth. It's in Agoura Hills/Oak Park, California. All docs since '79. The 51st off the line.

I'm really not trying to sell it for him. I'm just expressing my surprise at how nicely it drove and how much spunk it had, certainly in 1st and 2nd. No, it's not my 911. But, for what it is, it's much better than I expected. For a car that folks above said is great in autocrosses and tight races from its balance, and a car that offers a great period daily driver, it offers a great opportunity.

czar

I've never owned a 911, but I've driven a few friends'. When I first got behind the wheel of a 912, and when I drove it on a daily basis when I owned it, I never once thought about what engine was behind me; it was that fun to drive. My focus was always on driving the hell out of it on back roads. Sure, the 911 is quicker, but there was something special about the 912 to me, and had I not left the country, I never would have sold it! I agree with a previous pst; in terms of beauty and car for the $$ in the Porsche world, you can't beat the 912.

Jay Gratton

Nice post czar! I have never driven a 912, but I have driven 356's and I loved them!!!!!!!

luv2ride

now dude. Thats funny.

I'm 912 curious. saw one on the track this weekend. What's the buzz?

Greg D.

>What's the buzz?

Mainly, I guess early 911s are become so expensive that early 912s are appealing again. 1/2 price and 2/3 of the performance ;-) Give or take...

GothingNC

I think long hood 912's are more plentiful then 911's

I read in a book that Porsche sold twice as many 912's then 911's in the late 60's.

I might be looking for one as a second Porsche if my wife doesn't bury me in the backyard

John

butzip

Hey luv,

What track were you at?? I was @ Lime Rock this w/e with my 912. My #3 cyl was 1/2 turn too rich. Once I base lined em', she ran beautiful!!

Brgds, Peter

kurt M

You would think so but they are not. They were in many cases not treated as well as 911s and they were often converted into 911s or parted out to keep their 6 cyl brothers up and running.

luv2ride

Yes I was. LRP yo! It was great to see the 912 on the track. I also enjoyed seeing the 356 on Friday, now that was cool!! 356 in the black run group. Glad you got her running and I hope to see her/you again in the spring.

Ryan

butzip

NC / Kurt,

You're both correct, 912s outsold 911s something like 2 to 1. Some 30,300 912s were built, including the 76 E (I'm working off of memory here so forgive me if I'm not 100% accurate :-) )

But sadly, they seem to have been neglected to a greater extent as well. I guess the original owners were not in the car for too much money and didn't feel as compelled to maintain them? I mean how many Yugos and/or Renault Le Cars do you see running around??? 'Cheap' cars get used and replaced and the 912 fell into this category, sort of.

In my case, I would have never put so much time, money and energy into a 912. But the fact is, my Father was the original owner and sentimental reasons alone made it worth it for me to restore and maintain. For instance, @ LRP my Dad was there, and even though he said I was crazy investing so much into it at the time. He is very happy to see it back to its former glory and attracting attention the way it does.

Of course, now that it's all nice and solid I heard him tell a few people that "it's only on loan" to me
;-) and tell all about the 'hell' he raised in it back in the day. That makes me feel good about what I did and to a great extent what we did together to bring it to it's present state. Heck I've driven it hard for 12 years now and though I've always had a revolving door of 944 turbos and 911s, the 912 will always have a spot in my garage/track and auto-x. Yeah I have faster cars in my garage, but the 912 handles so well and I have so much seat time in it, it fits like a glove.

Ryan, Next time come over and say Hi!! #353 Peter Baldauf (that's me) What were you driving? Peter Brittingham, the guy in the 356, wasn't able to make it Saturday which was too bad I love comparing my lap times to him. I remember the first time we were @ the track together, he was working pit out and made me pull over and tell him what I had for an engine. His reaction was flattering. Needless to say we spent the rest of he day under each other's lid. I'm always the only 912 and Peter so far has been the only other 356 @ LRP. Heck, most of the 914s are sixes. So showing up with a 4 cyl in sea of 996 turbos / GT2s and the like is like bringing a water pistol to a automatic weapon fight. But invariably, people comment on how that car handles and holds off cars with 4 times the hp. (insert 'Big Head' here). After all it's DE not a race but I still give it all she's got.

Brgds, Peter

luv2ride

My 993 the one and only. I've been thinking of starting up a cash of pcars and a 912 sounds like it woud be a good start.

Txjake

I had a buddy with a 912E, it was a fine driving car and handled quite well in autocross. All in all a car I would like to find....