Achtung Rost: 1966 Porsche 912
The classic Porsche market has been hot for a while now and is still going strong, things seem to be calming down a bit but prices are still high. The price trend that started with the 911 naturally trickled down to the 912. With prices inflated, cars that were once forgotten or set aside as parts or scrap come up for sale. That is most likely the case with this 1966 912, this car is very rough with some serious rust issues. This would have been a parts car 10 years ago, but with the current state of the market, will the potential value justify a restoration of this car? The price sounds more reasonable than some others that have been put up for sale. Lets hope it gets saved. Find it for sale here on eBay in El Paso, TX with a BIN of $8,600.
The 912 was the entry level Porsche that was produced from 1965 until 1969. All 912 models were powered by a 4 cylinder 1.6 liter engine that produced 90HP. The 912 model was brought back for one year in 1976 and was designated the 912E, these cars were powered by the 2.0 liter type 4 motor with fuel injection. I have a bittersweet relationship with the 912. I owned a 1968 model from 2001 until 2007, it was a great car and my only form of transportation for several years. My car was a very solid driver in good condition with minor rust and a rebuilt non-numbers matching engine that ran great. When I decided it was time to sell it in 2007 I struggled to get $6,000 for it. A few months ago I was reminiscing and did a quick internet search of the VIN. I was shocked to see it for sale across the country for $24,900 in the exact same condition as it was when I sold it with almost the same mileage! That was my lesson on the turbulent nature of the classic car market.
The seller doesn’t give much information on this car other than it is a ’66 model with the 3 gauge instrument cluster and needs a full restoration. The car obviously has some major rust issues, the floors and rockers are completely rusted away, these are key components to the structure of the car so it will take a skilled person to make repairs. The lower door jambs, doors and fenders are all showing rust as well. The seller represents the condition well with the pictures. 
The car needs everything, what you see is what you get. The transmission is still installed in the car but the engine is missing. The auction is for the car only, the seller says a matching numbers rebuilt engine is available but apparently it is not included with the sale of the car. These are great driving cars when sorted, hopefully someone will buy this car as a labor of love and return it to the road once again.
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Comments
The P-car market has cooled since the peak about 2015/2016. So has the collector car market in general. I remember commenting some years back on a M-B 190SL that was featured here on BF, that a nice 190 SL had just sold at a high end auction for a $quarter million. Those have come way down since that peak, and as far as I can see so have cars like this 912.
I guess that’s good since it makes them available to a wider group of buyers, but as I always say, drive one first, or preferably two: 1) a really good one, and 2) a poor one. That will help you judge other examples of the same model that you might consider buying.
I came scary close to buying a 912 that was in the Pacific NW and seemed to drive well in a video. But once I drove one myself I realized thay weren’t for me. And the seller of that 912 was honest enough to include a photo of the rear torsion bar mounts, which were so deeply rusted they looked like they would part company with the bars going over a moderate bump.
Cheaky seller. Playing games nickel and diming buyer / next owner. Seller has an engine for this car, but that will cost buyer more. Also has the panels this car obviously needs, but you have to buy those separately too. Apparently you get this project car a few pieces at a time. Why not just sell the whole project and not play games? A real turn off.
“A newly Rebuilt Matching numbers 912 Porsche engine is available”.
You mean the one that came with the car? What a douche…
The true story is that the owner was forced to lock up the brakes at speed. At that point, all of the rusted parts (including the seat rails) continued their forward motion.The result is clearly shown in the lead image.
Well in my opinion good Porsches are still the top performers in the collector car market. Corvettes are dogs and strictly for the Gucci Grandpa comb over spray on tan gold chain white eyes crowd. lol. But 912’s are underpowered dogs always have been always will be. Crush this car now.
An insightful and thought-provoking comment that adds nothing to the conversation, and is totally wrong. “Corvette Uber Alles!!”
Give me a break.
Wish I could find another one. They are gold! Bought one in AZ, less motor for $1000 in 2010. No rust, except on driver’s side floor. Rain got in thru a hole in windshield. One hole the size of a dime. Had plans to restore, but got too old. Sold off all parts for over $10,000.
Gold don’t rust like that!
Scott, apparently the guy got that 24,900 for your old car it has a banner across the picture that says sold! I definitely am going to get my 911, I have been watching and waiting, I am in no hurry! The prices will eventually level off then they will start dropping a bit!
These early 911s and 912s had space for the wider European license plates. Does anybody remember and aftermarket “valance” that filled in that space, so it only had room for an American license plate? They were advertised in R&T at the time. 25 years ago I almost bought an early 911S that had it. Made for a nice rounded look at the rear.
Attached a photo of a nice 912 I saw Saturday night in Grass Valley. A friend had one the same color when he lived there a few years ago. wonder if it could be the same one?