Porsche may have produced a 912E Targa, but no confirmed specimens have yet been found. Aric’s research indicates that between 2,080 and 2,100 912Es were produced, and that more than half of those are still in use today.
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911 Porsche
Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany created the Porsche 912 sports car for the 1965 through 1969 model years. It was a base model of the 911 and was also available in small 2+2Coupe and Targa body types. A 1.6-liter air-cooled, 4-cylinder flat-4 engine from the last 356 was installed in the agile 912, and it was somewhat detuned to produce 102 SAE horsepower at 5800 rpm. The 912 may achieve up to 30 miles per US gallon (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg-imp) thanks to its high-efficiency boxer engine, minimal drag, and light weight. More than 32,000 912s were produced between April 1965 and July 1969 at a $4,700 price. Sales of the 912 initially surpassed those of the 1964-introduced 911, increasing overall production until the 911’s commercial viability was confirmed.
For the 1970 through 1975 model years, the 912 was replaced by the 4-cylinder 914. The 912 experienced a one-year comeback in 1976 with the release of the 912E, a model available solely in the United States and powered by a 2.0-liter VW “Type 4” flat-four engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and 90 SAE horsepower at 4900 rpm. There were just 2,092 912E Coupes produced between May 1975 and July 1976.
Only two examples of the Porsche 356B/912 prototype are still in existence.
Porsche’s current level of popularity is unmatched. Previously $450,000 brand-new cars are now selling for around $2,000,000 on the used market. The value of vintage specimens is rising as well, and this 1965 356B/912 Prototype could fetch over $500,000 today.
That might surprise some people who follow the 912 market in general. One of the best examples ever sold for a little around $140,000 last year. It was a one-owner vehicle with a remarkable past and numerous honors. Why then might this car sell for more than three times that on January 16 when the Mecum Kissimmee auction concludes?
It has a lot to do with the word “prototype,” really. Only six four-cylinder prototypes of the Porsche 912 were produced. There are only two left, and this is one of them. Although the 912 is not as quick or visually appealing as the 911, it is nonetheless an important part of Porsche’s past.
Additionally original is the engine, which makes the deal even better. The new owner of this car will get more than simply a spotless, vintage Porsche; they will possess a cornerstone around which the company was founded.
Porsche shipped the car to the USA where it was utilized for testing and development. The insignia that is attached to the rear engine grille and particularly states “1st U.S. PORSCHE DEALER TOUR – STUTTGART- 19-22 – JULY 1965” attests to the fact that they also utilized it to introduce the 912 to the American dealer network. That is the coolest thing ever.
The vehicle is unmistakably a prototype. That is made evident by little things all throughout the construction. For instance, in contrast to production 912 vehicles, the door hinges are made of aluminum rather than steel, and the dash is painted to match the body.
Beyond all of these interesting details about the car’s past, Porsche has officially authenticated the vehicle. This 912 received 297.4 out of a possible 300 points at the 2014 Porsche Parade Concours. This prototype should check all the traditional boxes for a Porsche enthusiast, which is why Mecum gave it a $400,000–$500,000 estimate.
Embrace the Targa
Porsche created the Targa model in 1966, the year the 911 and 912 were released, to give sports car enthusiasts an open option if they chose it to the coupe. Manufacturers exporting to the United States had expressed some fear in the 1960s that the government would decide to outlaw convertible cars due to safety issues regarding passenger protection in a roll-over. The Targa was Porsche’s logical solution to this possible issue, offering a beautiful roll bar and giving the car the capacity to function as either an open roadster or a weatherproof coupe.
The 100,000th Porsche would be a 912 Targa, specially built for the Baden-Wurttemberg police of Ferdinand Porsche’s home state, and handed to them on December 21st, 1966.
The original Targa had translucent plastic rear windows that could be opened by a zip fastener and a removable roof portion. These “Version I” Targa cars demonstrated that the design may use some work. The plastic rear windows had a bad reputation for degrading when exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. As a result, the Version II was updated in January 1968 to include a real glass back window. This design turned out to be much better because it offered the same level of durability as a typical coupe while also having a retractable roof for when open-air driving is preferred.
Are Porsche 912s uncommon?
This is one of the rarest vintage Porsches available anywhere, making it one of the hottest collectible cars on the market right now. Even though this is one of the rarest Porsche 912s ever produced—less than half as many were made as the much coveted 356—any 912 is extremely unusual.
When did Porsche start producing the 912?
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Porsche introduced the 912 in 1965, a less priced and substantially less powerful version of the 911, to close the price gap between the 356, which was still in production at the time, and the 911.
The 912 and 911 were nearly identical in terms of appearance and technology. But unlike the 911, it had a 1.6-liter flat-four engine from the 356 SC at the back. For usage in the 912, its power output was decreased from 95 to 90 hp at 5,800 rpm to provide the engine additional low-end torque and stability. A 4-speed manual transmission was used to transmit power.
How many Porsche 912 RHDs were produced?
Over 30,000 912s were produced between April 1965 and March 1969. Less than 4% of those were specifically designed for export markets that need the right hand drive arrangement. Any original 912 with a right-hand drive is now a highly prized collectible.
What kind of motor powers the Porsche 912e?
In 1976, a 912 E Coupe was also offered for the US market. Its 2.0-liter flat-four engine produced 90 horsepower. The 912 looked similar to the 911 cars from the G series.
A Porsche 912 can go how fast?
The highest speed of the 912 was advertised at 116 mph, and it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 11.5–12 seconds. However, Road & Track magazine actually reached a top speed of 119 mph.
What are the Porsche 911’s many generations?
Even Porsche undoubtedly didn’t anticipate the production run of the 901 idea from 1963 to last six decades, and no likely surpass it. Fans of trivia can rejoice that the name was changed from 901 to 911 in order to prevent any potential altercations with Peugeot.
It was intended to be a bigger, more useful 356 with an additional set of seats. For this reason, detractors were eager to point out its lack of focus.
Early 911s weighed close to a tonne yet had two-liter engines with as little as 130bhp. Over the following ten years, engine sizes and power output increased, reaching a zenith with the 210bhp 2.7 Carrera RS, possibly the most sought-after of all early 911s.
What Porsche model is the least expensive?
- Cayman 718. From $63,400* Investigate.
- Boxster 718 Explore starting at $65,500.
- 718 Cayman T. Starting at $72,500* Research.
- 718 Boxster T. Start exploring at $74,600.
- 718 Cayman S. Starting at $75,400* Research.
- 718 Boxster S. Starting at $77,500* Research.
- Explore the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, starting at $90,300.
- From $92400*, there are 718 Boxster GTS models. Explore
How Quick Is the Porsche 911?
911 Porsche Top Speed Therefore, it is undeniable that the Porsche 911’s highest speeds live up to its reputation: Top Speed of the Porsche 911 Carrera is 182 mph. Top speed of the Porsche 911 Targa 4 is 179 mph. Top Speed of Porsche 911 GTS: 193 mph
A 912 is what?
A 912 is essentially a 911-style body coupled with a 4-cylinder engine that is developed from the 356. Porsche’s first widely distributed sports vehicle was the 356. The most popular sports automobile ever is the Porsche 911.