JPP

First, let me apologize for having all the text up front and the pictures afterward. Unfortunately, the Upload Photo tab is not working AGAIN!!

I bought this car last November, it's an early '65 912 Sunroof Coupe #350442, 3-gauge, painted dash car. Cardex shows a build date of July 22, 1965 with engine number 830991 and optional sunroof, ventilated chrome wheels, antenna/loudspeaker, Dunlop tires. Exterior paint code is a 1964 356 color, 6410 Dolphin Grey with Black leatherette and Mouse Grey Corduroy inserts.

The car was purchased in Germany by an American G.I. to drive while stationed over there, then he shipped it back to California through Ogner Porsche Audi (Still has the Ogner plate frames). All numbers match including the date coded wheels. It was poorly repainted Pearlescent White on the outer panels at some point. The door jams and 3-gauge Dash are still original factory Dolphin Grey, and the car is straight and dry with a few minor bumps and bruises.

This would be the 442nd 912 coupe built at the factory by Ruetter. When it was built, the last of the '65 356's were being built right along side of it in the old werks building in Zuffenhausen and they share many parts including the european exhaust/exchanger heating system, mirrors and other brightwork and seat frames and coverings, all 356 spares. In Mid-August, the factory made several changes to the 912 line including an option for a 5 gauge dash like the 911, U.S. spec heat exchangers, and they started painting the dash flat black and added brushed aluminum trim across the knee bar at the bottom.

The car is being restored in Southern California and is currently in final panel fit and block sanding getting ready to be painted in it's original Dolphin Grey livery. Here's some photos of the car as purchased, then the initial strip to bare metal with what bondo and body work there was removed. The last pictures are the car being panel fitted with light glazing and sanding being done. Note the last 3 vin numbers, 442, stamped into the headlight buckets, an early practice brought over from the 356 line and then abandoned sometime before 1966. Should be through paint here shortly:

Here's the pictures:

butzip

Awesome project! Impressive that she still has the same fenders. It really is 'numbers matching'. Please keep us posted on your progress.

JPP

Thanks, will do.

Ackmann

Good post. I am sitting here reading and doing my research for a full restoration like this on an early 912. Haven't bought yet just starting to plan and lightly shop. This car will be for my 7 year old son and I to do together. (His Car) . I will get him a daily driver but this car will be for dates, and Cars & Coffee's with dad. (plus I get to drive it around until he is old enough.) I hope he will be able to keep it for along time but it will be there as an investment to seel for college if needed.

Keep up the post and pics

RFFG

Awesome.

Clifton

Very cool - my dad has an old 67 912. Always wondered what restoring it would be like. Looking forward to live vicariously through your project. Good luck!!!

JPP

Here's a quick update of this project, the car is finally painted in it's factory original Dolphin Grey. Color match to the original paint on the top of the dash is perfect . This is single stage enamel, so it will be color sanded in a few days and then all undercoatings in the trunk, engine compartment, inner fenders and bellypan will be applied as originally done at the factory in '65. After that, the next step is final assembly. Here's some pics of the painted car and panels:



You can just see the tiny sunroof drain holes in the top by the side gutters here:








Looks like we're on track to show her at the 912 Registry Rendevous this summer in Healdsburg, CA

Oh, and here's the company she's keeping while getting restored, over 50 Porsche's on the property today in various stages from turnkey for sale to just getting unloaded from a trailer to start the process:



The Tangerine and Signal yellow are 911S's and the Metallic Blue sunroof is a 40Kmile original E with sport seats and Cibie Rally Lamps. Pastel Blue Targa is the owners personal car (kinda looks like Riviera, doesn't it?)

JimGinKC

looks great! that is quite a shop too, looks like you're in excellent company

JPP

Thanks, Jim. When you wander around this place, it looks a lot like the pictures of the factory back in the day. It's hard to stay focused .....

JimGinKC

no kidding! there are certainly worse places to work on a restoration...lol

drnd

What's the shop's name?

JPP

P.m. sent.

Harold

Great project. Beautiful colour! I am still tossing up whether to purchase a 912 for myself as a weekend cruiser...

JPP

Hey Harold,
Love your green on green, it really works well. Yeah, 912's are still very affordable but of course that won't last as people discover how much fun to drive they are. The ultimate 356SC, eh?

The Dolphin car has started final assembly! Here's a couple of pics from the last update showing Wurth undercoating and the painted dash:

JPP

Well, things are moving along. She will be heading down to Upholstery in the next week or so ....














We're still pushing to be able to show the car for the first time at the 912 Registry Rendevous in Healdsburg, Ca on August 6th.