Difference between early 911 and 912's

[SCP]

Hi Guys ,
sorry for sounding thick here , but what is the difference between the 912 and early 911's.
i'm looking at getting an old porsche soon but i'm totally confused as to what the difference is.
The prices of ones for sale vary massively between the two from £10k upwards to £40k ,are they the same car ? or is one genuinely more valuable/collectable than the other , are there any differences performance wise ?
cheers
Dave

 

[Mark Elder]

Have you seen this?: http://www.912registry.org/history.htm

I know nothing about 912s but your question provoked an interest and having found something I thought I'd post it.

No doubt someone who knows what they are talking about will be along soon...

By the way, they are not called "old" they are called "early" (it's middle aged ones like mine that are called "old"!)

 

[38F3E1]

Hi Dave.

Welcome.

Same basic shell. Some detail differences on running gear, wheels, levels of trim, etc but the main difference is the engine. The 911 has the six cylinder engine and the 912 the four cylinder engine. The 912 was the factory's way of offering a more affordable and lower powered 911. Different cars and yes the 911 is worth more than a 912. The difference performance wise depends on the model of 911 you compare the 912 against but the 911 is the more performance orientated car with more powerful engines.

Here's two good links for giving you the basics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_912


Ian.

 

[joelalderman]

Although the 912 had a 4 cylinder engine and less power than the 911 there was litlle difference between the two, some trim spec differences but the body was the same. A 912 with engine rebuild/big bore kit can be made to be not far off the power of some of the early 911's. As the 912 engine is lighter than the 911 then it is always said to handle much better. Something the early 911 received a lot of critisim for and one of the reasons the 912 was introduced including MPG.

With regards to value, ultimately the 912 was cheaper when launched but the price differences today most likely are a reflection of rarity as many more 912's were built than 911's during that period of production and as such are still in plentiful supply today. The americans preffered the better MPG and most cars were bult for the US market. That said they are both appreciating in value steadily so either is a good investment.

I have a solid rare early white 1965 912 which I am considering selling to fund another project so please contact me if you are interested. 07912468470 Joel

 

[SCP]

Thanks for the info guys ,
great now to have a better understanding of them ,
Cheers
Dave

 

[BAN430G]

Take a look on www.912register.com for further information!

rgds
Paul

 

[912UK]

The 911 T in 1969 and the 912 in 1969 where the closest both cars ever came togeather bar the engine and gear box ratio's. The Trim level was the same bar a few things that are needed for the 912 over the 911 like Tacho etc. The same options where available for the 912 as the T then looking at my sales books. Basicly you got money you have what you want. It is my understanding that some T's had Solid Disc's the same as the 69 912 as well. Some had vented ( T ) with a 69 912 you can up grade as I have to vented Disc's just bolting them on. Not as such a performance upgrade in stopping power put more for brake fade when your driving you 12 hard enough.. esp on Track days.

As for the other model years it's all been spoken about.. The 69 certainly does seam to be the best drivers car. Less made in 69 as the model was coming to an end that year. Collectable models are the Soft back targa my biggest mistake I turned down 3 over the years fo I will do it later.. and never will. Love them or hate them Targa's are really nice in basic steel wheel trim. The next collectable cars ( already are ) are the 65 912's in their first run I think of a 1000 with painted Dash in the same body colour as the car. 3 Dial only no head rests very basic , lap belts 4 speed. I have one with Factory ( dealer fitted ) AC here in my workshop. As much as what has been said that there is more 912's I would tread carefully there. As alot of 912's have been bought as parts fodder for 911's more than people think.. Esp early 65 cars. That first batch of cars is very low in number now. It's only been the last 2 years that the 912 has stopped becoming the auto matic parts car for 911's. And in under world garages I am aware of a few 912's that have 911 chassis numbers welded into them and changed to be a 911. Cheaper than finding a 911 of the same age I guess and also it's alot less hassel and cost repair propperly. I don't condone this although it's becoming more common in rare cars like the 73 RS where suddenly 4 people claim to own the same car.. it happens and happens more often than people think.. I don't like people who do it I am aware of a few. Anyway the 912.. there is alot about to read up on.. if you want a 912 in RHD form they are about rumors to be of about 30-35 cars supplied in the UK I used to own one of them.. but don't forget there was other countries that had RHD cars Like South Africa where I found 3 when I was out there.. Tried to buy the black one I found that was really nice. We still chat on emails so it's not a lost hope just yet..

Read up as Paul said on his web site
www.912register.com
www.912register.co.uk
www.912bbs.org

The problem now with 912's is they are needing to be worked on in the same way 911s. They basicly need good injection of cash to bring them up to spec. Buy the best you can. Get it inspected. Always look for some history forget years ago it's a bounus look for history of the last 10 + years so you can see how serious some one has been with the car, rather than just driving it hoping nothing is going to go wrong before they sell it.. Engines cost as much to rebuild as some of the 911 engines. Don't let any one kid you. It really does.. There are not many people in the UK that know them really well and the ones that do charge acording to their skills but often when you break down the cost of the parts to their labour you can see they don't get that much to do it and put a garantee on it..

Have fun.. I own 4 of them so over the years I picked up a think or two on how to look after them.