Porsche 911 2.0 SWB Coupé 1966, Alemanha
Fotografia
Few sports cars have proved as versatile as Porsche's perennial 911, a model that, for the past 50 years, has proved equally capable as a Grand Tourer, circuit racer or rally car. A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, the 911 first appeared at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show as the '901', but shortly after production proper commenced in 1964 had become the '911' following Peugeot's complaints about the use of '0' model numbers. The preceding Type 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six engine displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3.0 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.
Manufactured in January 1966, this 1st Series (pre-A Programme) Porsche 911 was delivered new finished in Aga Blue with black leatherette interior, and left the factory equipped with a Webasto heater and radio loudspeaker, as confirmed by its accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Chassis number '303509' is one of the very early, short-wheelbase cars of the type much favoured by the historic rallying fraternity, a situation that has led to unmodified examples such as this one becoming a great rarity and consequently much in demand.
In 2012 the car was imported into the Netherlands where the current vendor, a Porsche collector, commissioned a full restoration with no corners cut. Undertaken by Dutch specialists, the rebuild was completed in 2016 and was photographically documented (see history file). This restoration included a full engine and gearbox rebuild, a six-coat re-spray in the original Aga Blue livery, re-chroming of the brightwork, a new Pepita interior, and an overhaul of the instruments. The body restoration was carried out by Houvers of Winterswijk, while the matching engine and gearbox were rebuilt by Koban Tuning of Lichtenvoorde, Holland. Closest attention to detail was taken to bring everything back to original specification. In total, some €140,000 were spent to return the car to the effectively 'as new' condition it is presented in today, with many invoices available. Only a relative handful of kilometres have been covered since the restoration's completion and this beautiful Porsche 911 is presented in commensurately excellent condition. A copy of the old US title accompanies the car, which comes with EU customs duties paid and in free circulation within the EU.
