901/911 Prototype #7

[jh225]

In reading through the Red book, it says that out of the 13 prototypes built between 19621964, there was only one prototype that survived which is #7 chassis 13 327 and is the US in a collectors hands.

Anyone know who owns it and what the value of such a car would be?

[EarlyPorsche]

Priceless. Nobody could value it without a desperate offer on it first.

[Jagshund]

I've got it. Using it as a planter in the backyard.

[1982911SCTarga]

Whoever owns it could certainly make a legitimate claim to being the Porsche-world's version of Spartacus.

Brian

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by 1968Cayman

I've got it. Using it as a planter in the backyard.

If you said you had turned it into a Chia Pet I would have believed you.

[Jagshund]

Heeey . . . Chia Porsches. Now THAT'S an idea.

[JeremyD]

Isn't there one of these in the collier museum in SW Florida?

[304065]

[304065]

At first glance, it's just a very early Porsche 911. But look again, and you might notice the plain hubcaps, the Beetle-like dual exhausts, the bare rocker panels missing their bright moldings and another dozen little differences. That's because Don and Diane Meluzio's signal red Porsche is the sole survivor of 13 prototypes built to develop the marque's most famous model before it was even called the 911.

Nicknamed "Barbarossa," prototype 13327 was used for wind-tunnel testing and to evaluate engines and heating systems. Ultimately fitted with an essentially production flat-six, it was sold in April 1965 to Christophorus editor Richard von Frankenberg. Don Meluzio found it in New York in 1984 in "disastrous" condition and had it restored by Dennis Frick's Europa Macchina in 1993. It is almost never driven, but the Meluzios made an exception for AutoWeek.

Few of Barbarossa's body panels and none of its glass would interchange with a production 911's. Other deviations include side-window defrosters that didn't make production, a round (instead of rectangular) fuel-filler door released from inside the doorjamb and a single battery instead of two. And that's aside from all the shimming, improvising and hand-fabricating one would expect in a prototype. More obvious is the sunroof. Designed to maximize headroom, it tilts up and retracts forward, but it doesn't open far enough to make it feel even remotely like open-air driving. A unique instrument panel gathers hand-painted gauges for fuel level, oil temperature and pressure, plus speedo and tach, into two large round pods, rather than a 911's five smaller dials. The three-spoke steering wheel is taken unaltered from a 356.

On the other hand, Barba-rossa drives like an early 911, and it reminds us of why that model is still widely regarded as one of the greatest GT cars of all time. Getting into the roomy cockpit is sedan easy, and the firm and upright seats are luxury-car comfortable. Acceleration is fantastic in any gear, thrust from behind by a furious whirring and howling that entertain without annoying. Likewise, the ride is tightly controlled but never jarring. The chassis is eager to turn but not twitchy, with delightfully light and accurate steering that builds feedback with cornering speed. The polar opposite of a point-and-shoot muscle car, it carves a quick but careful path with micrometer precision. A long, loose and narrow-gated gearshift is not its most lovable feature, but one gets used to it.

The model entered production in September 1964 as the Porsche 901. About 60 were built before Peugeot, claiming ownership of all three-digit numbers with a zero in the middle (at least in France and regarding automobiles), threatened legal action. The 901 became the 911 in October and stayed in production until the successor 993 arrived in '94.


DOLLARS & SENSE
ORIGINAL LIST PRICE: Prototype, N/A; production 911, $6,490

CURRENT MARKET VALUE: $800,000 - $1,000,000 (est)

[mede8er]

Thanks John...I'm stealing that decklid spring idea for my ducktail....

[lfot]

I'm pretty sure I've seen one in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Same color as the one pictured above.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by john_cramer

Just plain

That looks like some run of the mill car show in those pics. I can't believe that the owners would just take it to a local show like it is no big deal.

Any idea as to the state it is now residing?

[jh225]

Originally Posted by lfot

I'm pretty sure I've seen one in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Same color as the one pictured above.

Not unless Mr.Meluzio either has sold it or loaned it to them.

#7 is the ONLY prototype car that survived.

[Fleming]

That spectacular prototype made the rounds a few years ago and won prizes at Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance and was the crown jewel of the 40 year 911 display at Rennsport Reunion II.

#300 020 from 30 September 1964 is the car in the Peterson Auto Museum Collection.


Has everyone see the review of the new book "Hunt for 901" by Kevin Gosselin. It's a fun read, I haven't finished it yet so don't tell me how it ends.

Bob

13 327 is the car in front

[jh225]

Man that is so sweet looking.

Car is in PA., huh? I really need to find out (I am in NY) and see if it is at all possible to ask the owner for a viewing.

To me, that car is the holy grail. There is only 1 survivor and there will never be another one built. The odds of finding something like that in any car line again are astronomical.

ETA: Now that I have the name, a quick search shows the owner to be a dealership owner (non P-car) in PA. Looks like he is big time into cars and racing too. Very cool.

Car was found in the early 1980's in a freakin' service bay in NYC!!!! Purchased by Paul Resnick (why does that name sound familiar?) advertised in Panorama and sold to Mr.Meluzio. who then had it restored.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by lfot

I'm pretty sure I've seen one in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Same color as the one pictured above.

I saw the same car as you did. It might be the one being talked about here. It was definitely identified as a "901."

[1982911SCTarga]

I know from the information that John posted that none of the window glass would transfer to a production model. Even given that, does that front windshield look huge top to bottom?

Also, hindsight is 20/20, but sticking with the adjustable, spring-loaded engine lid holder-upper would have saved us lots of head-butting grief as our regular-production trunk and engine lid shocks slowly give up the ghost.

Brian

[djpateman]

About 50 were built before the factory decided to change the name to 911. 300020 is definitely a 901.

[lfot]

Originally Posted by djpateman

About 50 were built before the factory decided to change the name to 911. 300020 is definitely a 901.

Aha! Not a prototype, but still a 901.
Thanks!

[Jagshund]

Originally Posted by djpateman

About 50 were built before the factory decided to change the name to 911. 300020 is definitely a 901.

I seem to recall that the change to 911 was not a voluntary one, but rather one brought about due to another company's claim to the 901 (90-) naming device. Regardless, a clone of that car would be an interesting project . . .