Porsche 912E... "A Modern Classic?"

david c. · 10-12-2003, 08:26 PM

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=res20020201p9

I didn't know a stock 912E was clocked by R&T at 9.7 seconds 0-60mph.

If it did that stock, I wonder what my car could do before the big engine fire in June? Somehow, I'm a bit skeptical. But, that's a nice write-up nevertheless.

eki912 · 10-13-2003, 05:21 AM

They mention a TARGA ? Was there a 912E targa ?

e k i

david c. · 10-13-2003, 10:36 AM

As far as I know, there was never a 912E targa. But, strangely, the CPI index also lists a value for one. I still doubt it.

By the way, I saw a really clean 912E the other night, in a Pittsburgh neighborhood known as Shadyside. It was the only 912E I've ever actually set eyes upon, aside from my own. It looked stock but lowered a bit.

Jake Raby · 10-13-2003, 07:28 PM

zero-60 in 7.3 in mine.....its a lowly 125BHP 2056 E carb version

The guy who wrote that was high, a 912E "Targa" never existed, just a sunroof version is that his version of Targa?

eki912 · 10-14-2003, 05:02 AM

Did you read this: Readers letters , from October Excellence ; Fred Siers asking about a 912E California Special ???If there ever was one , that is rare.... and I do believe 912E is and will be a modern classic !

e k i

COLDBASS · 10-14-2003, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jake Raby
zero-60 in 7.3 in mine.....its a lowly 125BHP 2056 E carb version

The guy who wrote that was high, a 912E "Targa" never existed, just a sunroof version is that his version of Targa?

I agree,

Occassionally, the mythical 912E Targa gets referenced. As the myth goes, one was produced, although no one has mentioned that they have ever seen it.

California Special - perhaps so. First time I read the article, I rolled my eyes. However, who knows, though it seems odd that this is the first time most of the mainstream 912E crowd (Brad, Brain, you, me, etc.) ever heard of one.

My unsolicited 2 cents

silver912e · 10-14-2003, 04:04 PM

I have a book called "The Porsche 911 and Derivatives" by Michael Cotton. On page 22 there is a picture of 3 Porsches, and under the picture is this:

"Reintroduced as a 912E after a gap of six years, the four-cylinder Porsche is seen here in Targa form in the company of 911S and Carrea Coupes"

What's interesting is that the targa in the picture has steel wheels. I can't imagine an S or Carrera coming off the assembly line with steel wheels

I guess this is where the story of the 912E Targa comes from.

Here's a pic:

COLDBASS · 10-14-2003, 04:23 PM

Good reseach.

Well at least there is one and its documented...
Anyone wanna bet that there aint a second one?

david c. · 10-14-2003, 05:47 PM

I've never seen that picture before. Neat. Maybe this is what the CPI index is basing it's value upon. Just kidding.

What is also odd is that the "912E" in the picture has Euro headlights. Given that the 912E was a "US only" car (from what I know, anyway) I wonder why it would have these lamps? It does lend itself to the theory that it was a special order job for someone over there.

COLDBASS · 10-15-2003, 02:30 PM

Poetic License Perhaps?

I was thinking that if I were going to show all the current 911 models for that year, this photo would do nicely. Perhaps this was a factory marketing photo that was distributed and a journalist faced with a deadline merely became creative? Mis-print?

This may be where the myth originated...odd that we have never seen or heard of one outside this photo...

Regards,

Doubting Thomas...

Jake Raby · 10-15-2003, 05:22 PM

And it's right hand drive I also believe....Must have been a Brit thing......

I saw a pic of it a long time ago, but alsways thought it was just a mis print.

Targas are ugly anyway....Doh!

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

there is word that there was or might have been a few 912E targas on the 912 registry, but no one knows where any are or if any still exist, or how many were made

eki912 · 10-16-2003, 10:22 AM

JAKE, what makes you think it is right hand drive? If it is RHD , shouldn´t the wipers be parked on that side too? I have seen a few UK porsches having their wipers parked on the right side.

If that targa still is around , it is rare.No matter where it is.That car has the german plates on.I doubt they would put plates on a car to be exported? So maybe it was sold in Germany?

Was 912E only for USA ? I know it was intended for USA.Or did they sell them in Europe too?

e k i

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I was thinking about changing the park on my wipers so they would be on the right side and out of my view. I know some of you have done it. Looks like the cars in the pic only have one mirror on the left side. Harry, for SOME reason I keep getting drawn back to this post!!

Craig

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

yeah, it is kinda distracting.. if i can get one of my pics to ever look good at that small of a size, ill put that one on in a heart beat.. just thought this one was pretty funny for now though.

Nige-912E · 10-17-2003, 10:25 AM

912e were never sold in the UK as far as I know, other that 3 or 4 that have been imported since!