1976 Porsche 912e *rust-free Ca Car* Tampa, Florida on 2040-cars

VIN: 9126000780 Year: 1976
Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: 912
Trim: E Coupe (Non-Sunroof)
Drive Type: Rear-wheel Drive
Mileage: 231,120
Sub Model: 912E
Disability Equipped: No
Exterior Color: Guards Red
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Interior Color: Black

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

For sale is my 1976 Porsche 912E.  For those who don't recognize this car, it was a one-year only vehicle provided by Porsche to the North American market to bridge the gap between the outgoing 914 and the Porsche 924.  It uses the tried-and-true air-cooled 2.0 liter version of the Type IV engine from the Volkswagen 411 / Porsche 914 installed into the G-series (impact-bumper) 911 chassis  and body.    Auto magazines at the time praised the Porsche 912E for its balanced handling and solid Porsche quality noting that the VW-based engine, while not as powerful as its 6-cylinder brethren, nevertheless provided good economy, simplicity and reliability.

This particular example was purchased by me in 2008 as a Southern California car and delivered to the Gulf Coast of Florida, where it has been my fair-weather driver for the past 5+ years.   In that time I have driven it approximately 40,000 miles, mostly on highway commutes to work.   I work nights, therefore it has not sat out in the sun for any length of time.    When not driven it has always been kept garaged.   I am selling it reluctantly to make room for an addition to the family.   I have compiled some notes and impressions below:

Engine and Exhaust:

The 1976cc Type IV engine is in place with its original L-Jetronic Fuel Injection.    It is a strong puller, with good torque and smooth operation.    It does not smoke on start up.   Equipped with the original FI, cold starts are a breeze.   It idles smooth from start-up and warms up fast.    It uses about a half a quart of oil every 1500 miles, which is in line with production specifications of the time.   Oil and filter have been changed twice yearly and there are NO LEAKS.   Valve adjustments were handled by my local Porsche specialist.  Exhaust is a Bursche unit which is in great condition.     Original heat exchangers are in place and warm up the cabin fast on cold mornings.    J-tubes have replaced the original thermal reactors, which cracked (I still have them and they will come with the car).   Prior to my acquiring the car the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system was disconnected.   

Transmission:

The 915-based transmission and shifter are in great shape and shift smoothly with no grinding provided it is shifted deliberately and with care as all  Porsche transmissions of this period should be.     Shifts into reverse and from first to second gear are all nice and smooth.    Shift gates are right where they should be with no slop.   The previous owner installed a factory short-shift kit that shortens the throws nicely without adding increased effort.  An aftermarket shift knob has been installed.   I will include the original shifter and 915 shift knob.   Gear ratios are factory stock, with the engine turning about 3000 RPM's in 5th gear at an even 70 MPH.   

Body:

As a California (and then Florida) car, this is one of the best examples of a 70's 911-912 that you are ever likely to see.    The body is RUST-FREE.    According to Porsche records, the G-series body shells were either partially or completely galvanized from the factory, conferring significant rust protection.    The body and floor pan, trunk , battery tray and engine bay are all without any rust, whatsoever.   Exterior color is Guards Red.   The car has been re-sprayed at least once in its original color prior to my acquiring it.   It has not been color-changed.   Doors, bonnet and boot all close with a solid 'thunk', as a Porsche should.   The door hinges show evidence of a door stop reinforcement repair, which was known to be an issue in these models.  There is evidence of repair to the right rear quarter panel, and some minor orange peel of the re-spray is evident.  As this car was my daily driver, I installed an engine lid from an 80's Carrera complete with functional third brake light to add some measure of security in stop-and-go traffic.

Tires and Suspension:

When I received the car I lowered it to European Stock ride height, and then had it aligned.    Wheels are anodized Fuchs 15 x 6 alloys These are one inch larger in diameter than the original 14" alloys and do wonders for handling.  The contrasting black background has been removed, giving them a more unified substantial look.    Tires are Pirelli P4 All-Seasons in 195/65 size which have less than 10,000 miles on them.    They are a nice compromise for touring and comfort in addition to hugging the road for spirited driving.   Torsion bars front and rear are original units, giving the car a nice, compliant ride.   Shocks are in good condition and soak up bumps very well.

Interior:

The interior is finished in black with vinyl RS-style door panels.    An aftermarket MoMo steering wheel is installed with a smaller diameter than original for more responsive lock-to-lock.  Seats are Recaro cloth buckets which provide excellent side bolstering and support.   The dash is in great shape with a single crack where the speaker grill meets the defroster vents.   Headliner is in a beige vinyl and appears to be original with some minor stains present.    Sun Visors were recently re-done in black vinyl and are gorgeous.   Rear seats were deleted prior to my acquiring the car.    The stereo has also been deleted in favor of a blank panel, which cleans up the dash nicely.  The inertia-reel seatbelts have good recoil and click in as new.   Interior carpeting is in black with good pile and minimal wear.   NO LEAKS!   The few times I have been caught in the rain in this car, it has been water-tight.   Windshield, side windows and rear window seals are all in great condition.   Window cranks and door pulls and locks are solid.   This car has not been smoked in during this ownership period and no traces of smoke or odor are perceptible.

Electrical:

Gas gauge, interior dash clock, reserve tank indicator, tachometer, interior fans and engine temperature guage are all functional.    Directional turn indicators and emergency flashers all work like new; a new flasher was installed in 2012.   Back-up lights, tail lights, side markers and brake lights (including third brake light) are all functional.   Speedometer and odometer work but are showing signs of impending speedo cable replacement (needle bounces and stops frequently).  Intermittent wiper switch, Windshield washer and Emergency Brake Light / Seat belt Lights are not functional and will need addressing.  Interior cabin lights work for passenger door, and intermittently for driver's door.  

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This car has been a reliable commuter and weekend car and has been an absolute pleasure to own and drive.   On my commutes to work of 20 to 40 miles one-way, it kept up with traffic and cruised at 70+ all day long.   To say it eagerly ate up miles would be a profound understatement.   In my ownership time, I have never tracked it or driven it in anger;  it is a cruiser first and foremost.  Porsche connoisseurs will notice that it has been modified from its original stock form in some minor ways (wheels, door panels, carpeting and deck lid).  I feel that these mods update and complement the car nicely without detracting from its design purity and simplicity.   It can be driven as-is or can easily be taken back to original stock form with a few parts swaps.   If treated and maintained well, this car will continue to give decades of reliable service to the discerning owner who recognizes its special place in Porsche's history.    Please contact me with questions.

DISCLAIMER:

Although I have attempted (and will continue to if asked) describe this car as accurately as possible, I can only credibly account for its history and condition during my ownership (since April 2008).   Mileage, previous ugrades, engine rebuilds, and other history before this period may never be fully verified.   As such, I will try to answer as many questions as I feel I can provide accurate responses for.    Otherwise, assume that you are purchasing a well-used vehicle and its condition, though excellent for its age, will reflect that of a car produced in the mid-1970's and is now over 36 years old.