1965 PORSCHE 911 2.0 COUPE

KEY FACTS

• A sensational early example of what has become the world’s best-known sports car, which has been fully restored to an incredibly high standard, at a total cost of more than €195,000.
• It is powered by a 131bhp 2.0-litre air-cooled flat-six, which is mated to the five-speed manual transmission.
• The odometer displays 2,608km, having been reset after the car’s restoration was completed in 2016.
• First registered in Germany and later Finland, before returning to Germany in 2014, this Porsche was imported to the UK in early 2021 and re-registered in June as ‘ETL 216C’.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• First registered in May 1965, this early 911 was delivered to the dealership in Pillenstein, Fürth, by Porsche dealer Krauss of Nuremberg. It left the factory in the same colours it wears today – Slate Grey over a Light Brown interior – and was believed to have been used as a demonstrator, the car continued to be owned by Krauss for next two years, covering 18,000km during this time. It was then sold to an entrepreneur from Bielefeld, and records show that when it was serviced in May 1967, the odometer displayed 23,735km.
• In 1993, the vehicle then made its way to Finland, before it returned back to Germany and was sold to its previous owner in January 2014.
• The owner then had some of Germany’s most experienced restoration experts set about bringing it back to its former glory, with the work being completed between April 2014 and June 2016 at a total cost of more than €195,000.
• As a very early example of the 911, which was built before the factory closed for the holidays in 1965, the car features a number of unique differences when compared to later cars. These include the tilted 911 emblem on its rear engine cover, the fitment of Solex carburettors, the positioning of the screen wash tank in the car’s fender and the inclusion of a wooden steering wheel.
• The car will be accompanied by extensive documentation of its restoration, as well as a copy of the factory Kardex.

CONDITION

• Having been extensively restored, this 911’s body was then carefully measured to ensure that it met original factory specifications, and remains in impeccable condition today.
• It was then fully treated with protective primer and resprayed in its original Slate Grey hue. The paintwork presents very well, with a smooth, glossy appearance across the entire body and is largely unblemished, save for some very small scratches on the passenger door and above one of the headlights, as well as some minor stone chips on the nose.
• The care and attention to detail involved in the car’s restoration is impressive, and all of the trim, from the slanted gold 911 badge on the engine lid, to the four screws fixing the small front grilles in place, is correct for an early 1965 911. Of course, this 911 sits on its correct 15-inch slotted steel wheels, which feature polished hub caps and show no signs of wear or damage.
• The light brown upholstery throughout the cabin features virtually no perceptible wear, due to the car’s limited use since the restoration. The front seats are trimmed in leather, while the rest of the upholstery is colour-matched vinyl ‘leatherette’ – which is the period-correct specification for a car delivered with a leather interior like this.
• The perforated cream headlining also presents well, as do the period-correct wood-rimmed steering wheel, wooden dashboard inserts and black VDO gauges.
• All of the interior controls, switches and electrical items are reported to work without fault.
• This classic 911 received TÜV approval while still in Germany in May 2016, and all four of its wheels are fitted with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, which date to late 2015 and have 6mm of tread remaining.
• The car was put through a UK MOT test on 14 May 2021 at 2,577 km, which it passed with no advisories after two minor lighting foibles were rectified.

SERVICE HISTORY

• While the engine is not original to the car, it is period correct and dates to 1965. It has been fully overhauled with replacement Mahle pistons and new cylinders, new piston rings, shaft seals, control chains and bearings; as well as new valves, toggles and toggle shafts. The camshafts and chain spanners were also overhauled.
• The transmission is a 902/1 gearbox, date-stamped ‘17/65’, which is correct for a 1965 Porsche 911, and which has also been fully refurbished. Both the front and rear axles have been restored and fitted with new bearings and bushes.
• The restoration also saw the braking system being tackled, with the brake master cylinder, brake callipers and wheel brake cylinders all being restored. All of the work was closely monitored by a classic 911 expert, to make sure everything was done correctly.

SUMMARY

Benefitting from a complete, ground-up restoration, this early Porsche 911 is in sublime condition both inside and out, its mechanical components were refurbished to the same high standard. For discerning Porsche collectors, it represents the opportunity to get as close as possible to a ‘new’ 1965 911, and will no doubt prove a joy to own.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing. Due to its short chassis number, this is shared with a number of older vehicles, so there are markers on the HPI data relating to a Fiat and DAF, but the 911 is clear.