Porsche 912 Targa

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The year after production of the legendary 911 flat-six had commenced in 1964, Porsche introduced the identical looking 912 as an entry level model to the marque.

Although it shared its monocoque steel chassis with that of the 911, together with independent front torsion bar and trailing arm rear suspension with all-round disc brakes, the engine was taken from the outgoing 356. This was a 1,582cc flat-four unit that produced 102bhp. Driving through a 5-speed gearbox it gave the car a top speed of 115mph, no match for a 911 admittedly, but with a lighter all-up weight and installed in the short-wheelbase 911 platform, it was still a fine sportscar in its own right.

The proven reliability of the 356's powerplant combined with the 911 bodywork and low price made the 912 a very attractive buy and it substantially outsold the much more expensive 911 during the first few years of production. It proved especially popular with the American market and around 30,300 were sold before it was replaced as the entry-level Porsche by the VW-designed 914 in 1969.

This Bahama Yellow Porsche 912 Targa dates from December 1969 and thus benefits from the later 'Targa II' glass rear window rather than the previous plastic item. It was imported to the UK in March 2008 shortly after which it received a major engine rebuild and a capacity increase from 1,600cc to 1,720cc (invoices on file). Since then the car has covered fewer than 5,000 miles and has been properly maintained with only minor advisories when submitted for its annual MOT tests.

The previous owner kept the car for 10 years and invoices show regular upkeep including a recent engine top-end overhaul by classic Porsche specialist Andy Prill. The brakes have also received attention (new master cylinder, pads, front seal, and front and rear hoses), along with new anti-roll bar bushes, and pedal, gearbox and clutch linkage and bushes – those fiddly little features which are often overlooked, but make any classic car so much nicer to drive.

The Targa top was also refurbished and re-covered by trim specialist Andy Dowling and a set of new seals for the windscreen, doors and Targa bar come with the car, ready to fit. The wiring has also been tidied up, the gearbox removed and cleaned and the structure has been waxoil treated to protect it from our English climate. The current vendor acquired the car just over a year ago and has improved it still further including a full service, getting the carburettors refurbished and a partial respray to correct some paintwork imperfections.

This fine detail work has produced a car that is tidy up top and down below, goes as well as it looks and is a delight to drive. Only reluctantly for sale to free up funds for a property purchase, this 912 appears remarkably original – even down to its Fuchs alloys – and is showing only 64,500 miles on the clock which may well be correct although there is insufficient documentary evidence to warrant this.

Achingly cool in all respects, it is offered for sale with a V5C, current MOT to August 2019 with no advisories recorded, 11 past MOTs, original handbook and sundry invoices.

AMENDMENT: The door, window and targa seals referred to above have gone astray but will be posted to the winning bidder if they can be located.