| The
"356D"
First
available to the public in August 1965, the 912
outsold the 911
almost two to one that year, with 6,401 912s produced versus 3,390 of the quicker 911s. Constructed
in late 1966, the 100,000th Porsche built was a 912 Targa® police car.
Overall for 1966, Porsche produced
9,090 912s versus 3,730 of the 911s. The 912 won Car and Driver's
1967 "Readers Choice" Poll for its class.
Overall production gradually shifted from the fuel-efficient 912 to the higher-horsepower six-cylinder 911. During the 1968 production year, about 6300 912s were constructed versus about 8000 911 cars. 912s continued in production in 1969 until the introduction of the mid-engine, Targa style 914 and 914-6 in late 1969. Ironically, after production of the 914 ceased in late 1975, the fuel-injected 912E model appeared in 1976, powered by a 2.0 liter 914-derived engine. When 912E production ended, Porsche had constructed 34,959 of the Type 912/912E model. |
| Coupes
912s had several components reminiscent of 356 parts. In addition to its flat-four engine, exterior paint colors, seats and headrests, chrome wheels, gear shift, instruments, heater system, aluminum body trim, headlights, fog lights, luggage straps and mirrors were in the 356 tradition. And the 1965 and 1966 912s shared a component with the legendary Porsche 904 and 906 race cars - the unique Nadella halfshafts. |
| Targas Porsche constructed a total of 2562 912 Targas, less than 8 percent of all 912s. While Porsche was discontinuing the 356 cabriolet model in 1965, a Targa® prototype was shown at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show. Porsche's Targa assembly line started in December 1966, producing the first ten 911 Targas, and at least three 912 Targas. 912 Targas cost more than the coupes, but provided 'air conditioning' without reducing engine performance.
Targas first came equipped with flexible
plastic rear windows ('soft-windows') openable with a zipper; the glass rear window was an
option starting in 1968.
Soft-window 912s Targas are
now extremely rare, with about 120 currently listed in the Registry. In September 1968, Christophorus magazine noted that
with the soft-window "The safety hoop is permanent but you can achieve four
variations around it, depending on whether roof and rear window are used or
removed."
|
The Fuel Injected 912E (AKA Type 923)
|
| Racing 912s
|
| 912 Polizei cars 912s were also used as police (polizei) cars in Europe , including Targas [see press photo below]. In April 1967, Christophorus magazine noted:
If you have an original 912 police car, please register! Outlaw 912s Warning: Some concours and
preservation enthusiasts may find this section disturbing and should proceed directly to
the next section.
In the Movies
912 Registry Since
November 15, 1997, the 912 Registry has kept owners of
surviving 912s and 912Es in contact worldwide.
In 2003 our first Board of Directors formed a 912 Registry non-profit
corporation.
With a lot of hard work and dedication our Board created the
912 Registry newsletter.
Click here and view this Acrobat PDF
version of the first issue.
Current 2008 Board Members include President John Benton, Treasurer Jones Low, Events Coordinator Paula Golus, Bruce Reed, Jason Pamental, Norv Parr, Greg Stout, Bud O’Lea, and Barwaut Verhoeven. We are soliciting additional volunteers for the Board and for many other events, activities, and committees. So please contact us with a show of interest and a description of your talents!
40+ Years New "There are no old Porsches, only new owners." And with new technology breakthroughs, environmental considerations and high fuel costs, perhaps some day the Factory will produce a next-generation 912 with a 2.5L DOHC four cylinder, low-emission, fuel-efficient, turbocharged, high-output boxer engine. Whichever is your favorite, completely stock, completely outlaw, racer or polizei car, top up or top down, the 912 is a time-proven classic. With its timeless style, solid construction and driveability, 912 Owners will be enjoying these classics for many more years to come. |
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