Porsche 911 RHD Coupe 1967, Alemanha
Fotografia
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
