Sometimes I think it has to do with how Porsche regarded their cars.

The 356 and 911 were (are) their breeding line, and as such regarded by Porsche.
Seems like everyone copied this thought.
The 912 and 912E, 914, 924, 944 etc, were all stop gap cars, intermediate cars, cooperation projects etc... The image suffered from it...

I run into a guy here in Dallas at a Starbucks and he's got a 912 that he tools around here in with his 2 kids. He loves the car and says its a blast to drive around in some of the neighborhoods with twisty roads, not going fast it's just fun on twisty roads.

I can see the interest in the 912E for those who love the classic 911 style but don't wish to ever have to finance a $10K+ engine rebuild. Running costs (fuel, insurance) will be less, handling more balanced and it still looks beautiful in the garage as you take one last look before you turn out the lights.

I had a 1969 912 with essentially a 912E (actually a 914 engine taken out to 2.4L ,but the T4s are all the same) engine in the back and it was a fun ride. It was a Top Time of the Day autox car more often than not (before I bought it... :rolleyes: ) and I had a ball driving it!

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Should they be more valuable than a comparable 911? IMHO, no, but to the right person maybe the answer is yes. :)

With a production run of 2092 cars, there were fewer 912E's produced in 1976 than 911's. From strictly a numbers standpoint, for 1976 a 912E is rare. Now a 912E Targa would definately qualify as rare!

Yeah, when I see the "rare" line I know the seller is looking for more than his car is worth.

I love mine. I rebuilt the engine myself, added some mods to increase the horsepower, and really enjoy driving a car that I've pretty much turned every nut & bolt on it. I have it apart for painting now and hope to have it back on the road in the Spring.

Underpowered or not, it still turns heads 35 years later.

I guess since this thread started with a 1976 912 as an example, then it's easy to make the argument that if you are going to buy a mid-70's Porsche, there's really no reason not to just find a nice 911, as they're fairly inexpensive compared to the pre-74 911 cars. . .why anyone would settle for a 912 middie is beyond me, but I'll admit that there are a lot of things in life that I don't understand. . . .If 912s are what you're into (and I've seen some very nice ones in the classifieds and at the Colorado Coffee + Cars events), then go for it! SmileWavy

I recall one for sale here a few years ago for around $6k and I did not know if that was a good deal or not. At the time I was thinking of buying and with the idea of using it for a long term hot rod project. Not sure how hard it would be to put a flat 6 in there but later talked to a couple of guys who said it would not be that much trouble.
Maybe put a flat 4 Subaru engine in there? Flame suit on and secure...

People forget they have a VW/914 2.0 engine with a fuel injection system never supplied on a 2.0 914. Also in CA, they are still subject to smog inspection making then undesireable in that state. PLUS the smog crap is model year only. There are specific year trans issues that can be a PITA.

The above alone puts them in the redheaded step child category......

Now a well set 912E with a decent motor that can be registered with the mods would be a nimble fun car.....

The 912E was a marketing decision. Porsche needed a car in the lineup under $10K and the 914 was done; the 924 not yet ready for market. The stopgap was to install the 914 engine in a 911 chassis and cut back on trim.

The 912E sold a lot of 911s. I know, I test drove one in '76. It just wasn't as 911-y as it looked.

There were some overheating problems, as I recall...

low milage flat 6 subaru engines can be had for under a grand. you just would have to be satisified with 230 hp since there isn't too much avilable in terms of modification.

Well, maybe the 911 only people can be forgiven for being a little egocentric. Their cars, especially early, epitomize the sports / GT car experience. I don't know know that much about 912Es, but have a fair amount of experience on two continents with the earlier true 912. Yes, the car is challenged on the uphill portion of the mountain, but downhill a well set up 912 will leave its cylinder enhanced brethren in the dust. That was my frequent experience years ago, which a younger and better driver would likely replicate today. But hey, memories are nice. Agree with whoever said none of this matters much, we all enjoy the Porsche marque which includes the 912E. Richard

I have driven a few 912E's and they are fun around town or on a long freeway cruise. I had flown 500 miles to look at one to buy but it was misrepresented and I passed on it. I bought my 89 Carrera later in the day and am glad I did. Of course it is faster, stops better, has a "pedigree motor" ( making jack off motion) and women mob me at every stoplight. But seriously, if someone drives a 912E and enjoys it who the hell am I to pass judgement on their manhood, intellect, taste, reverence to "The Marque" or any other happy horse****? I'll flash my lights, wave and smile as he drives by.

I have a 85 911 today because a good friend of mine came over to my house in 1976 in a brand new guards red 912E. I was the most fantastic car I have ever seen! We went for several drives and I thought it was great even if it was not real fast. It still drove , felt and smelled like a sports car. The thing is I fell in love with the 911 body and knew that someday I would own one. So, to me, the 912E was and is a great Porsche. Nick

912e
 

I recently restored a 912E, almost everything new except for the engine and trans. I upgraded the suspension, lowered it a bit and it is a very fun car to drive and EASY to maintain. Lets face it, it is the same maintenance as VW.
I also own and drive a 1983 SC. As we are all aware there is a big power difference but also a big maintenance, cost and balance difference. The 912E handles far better, generally runs cooler and gets 30 mpg for long cruises and takes about 4 quarts of oil.
I have no shame in the 912E, it is what it is and what it was supposed to be.
Very driver friendly.
Not too worried about re-sale value or rarity - both cars are distinct and drive differently, they are both fun.
We can debate about them but the fact remains Porsche built them both -
relax a bit and enjoy them for what they were meant to be - DW

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Very well said!

Mountainman - very nice rides.

Rare 70's Porsche dogged by 4-pot engine!
 

I see that I am referenced in one of the above postings, and I am happy to be included! I am a 912 fan, having owned an early 1600cc model, several 912E's as well as my 911 and a 924 be-gawd! I like 'em all. The early 912 was a starter Porsche for me, as it was in the marketplace in 1965/66 in Europe and the U.S. I have had 912s in Europe, and I noted the lack of top-end capability in my first one, and in an E that I re-imported to the UK from California. It was a bit much being overtaken on the Autostrada by Fiat micro-cars while struggling to maintain a true 100+ MPH! The seminal speed mark of 200KPH was never reached in my 912 Porsches, but was readily available in a little Alfa! The point of those first Porsches I had (at least to me) was that they were cheap, and at the time totally unloved by most 'car people'. Funnily enough, they (like the 924 perhaps) had a great influence on young buyers of limited means by persuading them to work their way up to the top-line model later when finances allowed- and to stay in the Porsche game. I went from the 1965 manufactured 912 to a 1976 912E and thought it a marvelous improvement in lots of departments, The E was modern, and the early 912 was vintage- much like a 356. Today I own 3 912Es of varying output, two with the somewhat pricey option of a Jake Raby built motor and one as original with no mods. They are rare cars, and they are worth the money you pay for them, because you get to choose how you spend your money in this country and nobody forces you to buy the 'wolf in sheep's clothing'! I use the 912E as a touring car. It is perfectly suited to this and makes for a great long-distance ride with excellent efficiency and reliability. It rarely breaks, and can be fixed by any early VW-savvy mechanic. My E cars range in power from 88HP to about 140HP. Not untypical for 356, 912 and on to early 911 models that we NEVER disparage for their performance. My 911SC is a nice ride too, and I compare the road performance and handling with my Es and the 924 virtually every weekend in the hills of West Virginia. Value is in the eye of the beholder! Nobody wants a 924 these days, but I get a great kick out of pressing-on in mine! Even with its 2-litre Audi/VW truck engine I have pushed it up the arse end of some people who thought they were so warm on a twisty road! Ho Ho! Make your own decision and spend your own cash! A common mid-70s 911 with an engine that will break studs and wrap timing chains around your neck, or a 'rare' 912E that will thrum on for 200,000 miles or more? They both cost plenty over time. And they deliver distinctive driving experiences! Meanwhile, I'll happily drive the more modern 911, the E or any Porsche while I'm allowed to, but I won't be saying , "that 356-normal is crap compared to my 912E!" It just doesn't make comparative common sense. Too hip...gotta go! R/Dave L. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1296918903.jpg

I love my 912E
 

I have owned a 69 911 Longhood, 2 mint Carrera Cabs a 84 and a 88, a Ferrari 328GTS and a Ferrari 308Gt4.

My highest "pleasure per mile owned purchase?" My lime green 76 912E Love the ease of ownership, mpg's, park anywhere, handles fantastic, no fuss no muss. And as far as sports car ownership goes makes the 912E "rare" IMHO.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1296923807.jpg

Everyone has their own opinions.. Few of those people fully consider their statements before they make them. I feel that the 912E will continue to hold a strong value comparison with similar year 911s and clean examples will bring more than their 911 counterparts, especially to purchasers like me.


I own two 912Es.. In stock form they may be lame, but I've never been passed by any comparable year 911 on the track in mine. They may be "lame" but I don't know of many 911s that have an effective range of 650 miles on a single tank of fuel, I've driven 700 miles on a single tank with my 912E.

In my experience those who dis;like the 9121E have never driven one, they don't know the difference that 150 pounds less weight behind the rear axle does to handling.. They also generally don't get the fact that the car was to be a touring car, hence the 14" wheels and huge capacity fuel tank. I've driven everything from 547/ $ Cam Carrera equipped Porsches to new 997s and I have built engines for the entire range. I maintain my feelings that the 912E is the absolute best every day, daily driver that Porsche built.

I drove one 160K miles in 8 years and the only repair it needed was a fuel pressure regulator changed. Here is the proof at tear down.
High Mileage Teardown

Here is what I have just finished for the car, same displacement, same power and even better daily driver manners.. 130HP, 140 lb/ft of torque. In it's previous state this engine attained a peak of 42 MPG, even after 160K miles it still got 34 MPG on a bad day.

Who would want a Porsche with a VW engine installed from the factory?? A guy like me.

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Okay, I'm gonna be a bit different here, in that yes, I used to own a 912E, and don't think much of them.

That's right, fellas, I had a nice black 912E, so maybe my opinion counts for a bit more than those that have never had one.

First, the good:

-Good highway cruiser- Great gas mileage.

Ummm, that's about it.

Other than the fact that I sold mine for more than I paid for it. Yup, made a profit just by buying it, driving it for a while and selling it. But then, the reason I bought it was because it was a good deal.

The bad:

The type IV engine doesn't develop any real power until north of 6000 rpm. Unfortunately, it redlines at 5600.

The car is a dog around town. A lazy dog. The useable rev range is so small, that using the shifter is more like mixing paint than shifting a car. It's almost as if the car is powered by how fast the driver can change gears, as the car is always in the wrong one.

There was an early recall to switch speedometers to read in "Furlongs per Fortnight", as too many of the original cars were brough back to the dealers under warrenty for having a broken speedometer. New owners were baffled to see the "mph"- labled speedometers sitting on the peg at Zero for several seconds after the light turned green. Turns out they were accurate- It just takes that long for a 912E to get across an intersection. Changing the units of measure on the speedometer gave the owners that feeling of accereration they expected to come with that fancy crest on the hood- "Look at that needle move!"

It suprised me to find out that the 912E has a loyal following. A small, but rabidly loyal following. But then, so does Charles Manson.

Having a 912E makes a great statement while sitting in the driveway. Just back it in, so nobody notices the 912 badge on the deck lid. But by all means, if you actually have to get someplace, leave the 912 sitting there, and steal the neighbor kid's Big Wheel. It will get you to your destination much quicker than the 912.

My earlier comment were just a joke. I would be delighted to drive one if I had one, but this really made me laugh!