Porsche 911 RHD Coupe 1967, Alemanha

Porsche 911 RHD Coupe 1967, Alemanha
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Over the years, relatively few Porsches left the factory destined for markets which mandated right-hand controls. These were primarily in the United Kingdom and Japan. The reason was simple: Fabricating a mirror-image front floor pan, pedal box, front trunk floor, dashboard, and relocating the steering box or rack was complex and expensive, especially for a small-volume manufacturer. That said, there is considerable evidence that right-hand-drive 911s were built in small batches after the end of each regular production run and then shipped overseas.

This 1967 911 coupe is one of 3,421 examples produced for that model year’s “O-series” and one of significantly fewer with right-hand drive. It retains its original, numbers-matching Type 901/05 air-cooled flat-six with a chain-driven single overhead cam on each bank, dry-sump lubrication, and Weber carburetors, which replaced the earlier use of Solex overflow carbs in July 1966. The two-liter, eight-bearing engine delivers a wholly adequate 130 bhp at 6,100 rpm, along with 128 foot-pounds of torque at 4,200 rpm.

There is a five-speed, fully synchronized manual gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering, and a 16.4-gallon gas tank with an electric fuel pump. Sub-nine-second sprints to 60 miles an hour were easily achieved, with a maximum of 132 miles an hour available. The 911 always boasts superior braking, and the early models were no exception, with ATE disc brakes on all four wheels. Said Road & Track in 1966, “…the brakes are so uniformly excellent that no matter the road conditions, including undulating surfaces, the brakes pull the speed down surely, smoothly, without the slightest trace of unbalance or uneven pulling.”

This lovely 1967 short-wheelbase coupe was completed 1 August 1966 and sold new to Mr. J.W. Clark, a resident of Mount Royal, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. While it is unclear why Mr. Clark ordered a right-hand-drive Porsche, the included factory Kardex and Certificate of Authenticity show that he specified a broad range of comfort and convenience options, suggesting that he may have planned to use the car for touring, possibly in the UK. These included a special VDO speedometer that reads in miles and kilometers; headrests for both front seats; an outside thermometer; a pair of black leather suitcases that fit on the folded rear seats, and an “expander,” an elastic cord net to hold luggage in place; a mirror with sunshade, and a hand-held spotlight. Mr. Clark requested that the car be equipped with Koni shock absorbers; a pair of “automatic” seat belts; a wood-rimmed steering wheel; a Blaupunkt “New York” radio, speaker, and antenna; and a set of chromed steel wheels with crested hubcaps that were fitted with Phoenix tires. The Light Ivory paint was complemented by a Black leatherette interior.

The Kardex shows that the car was delivered and initially serviced in Germany, but reflects that the Porsche eventually crossed the Atlantic, where it was maintained by Porsche-VW of Canada in 1967 and 1968, when the odometer read a mere 2,113 miles. Its subsequent ownership history until the time it was purchased by Mr. John Dixon of the Taj Ma Garaj Collection in Ohio is unknown. At some point after its arrival in Canada, a factory-authorized Renair “Delanair” air-conditioning system was installed. While 1967 was the first year that air-conditioning became a factory option, these units were installed though the dealership.

Today this wonderful early 911 displayed an amazingly low 3,937 miles at the time of cataloguing, and based on the service records that accompany the car, there is every reason to believe that that is the correct total from new. A close inspection indicates no obvious body repairs, but testing with a paint meter found the paint thickness slightly heavier than the factory standard, indicating that the car may have had some freshening in the past. That fact was confirmed with a review of repair and maintenance invoices provided. The interior, including the headliner, carpeting, dash pads, door cards, and seat covers, appear to be original and in excellent condition, and the exterior trim is pristine. It is supplied with a copy of the factory Kardex and Porsche-issued CoA, a set of owner’s and air-conditioning operator’s manuals, a warranty book, spare, jack, and a tool kit.

This is quite likely the sole example of an early right-hand 911 with these factory options. With the rarely seen air-conditioning system and boasting such low mileage, it would surely warrant inclusion in any collection of high-performance European sports cars.

Fonte: https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/tg19/the-taj-ma-garaj-collection/lots/r0017-1967-porsche-911-rhd-coupe/789672