912 coa

[adamlittman]

I just receveived this COA yesterday for my 1965 912. The car is very original and unmolested with 52k miles.
Looking at the details of the COA the engine specs are confusing. Can someone share with me what, how or why the motor was swapped and if there are differences between the two power plants?
Also, how common was the goodyear tire option on these early cars?

[WFBowen]

My guess is that the motor was replaced under warranty, as 42500km is well under 30000, i.e. a relatively young motor. Most likely it's the same type since the pre- 68 motors are basically the same.
As for the Goodyears, it must have been an upgrade.

[adamlittman]

Thanks, WFB!
Would the engine swap been performed at a dealer and then documented, or at the factory?

[WFBowen]

In the states, most likely at an authorized dealer; in Europe lots of repairs were done at the factory. As I understand it, the KD prefix identifies the replacement motor as an actual German factory replacement.
Bill.

[adamlittman]

Great info, Bill!
The car currently has a matching set of 5 Fuchs wheels 4.5 j15 with red dye stamp date of 1967 and to my understanding this was the first year available for that wheel. What is the possibility that the engine swap was done close to the '67 production and that the wheels were purchased and installed at this time? Is there anyway to get further information on the early owners and the details of their history?
I'm curious to know how the time-line and details of how the car ended up in a barn in Cordova Illinois where I bought it 7 months ago.

Any and all help is appreciated.

[WFBowen]

I'm not familiar with the system in Illinois, but there might we a way of tracing the car's ownership records through their motor vehicles department (assuming that they kept old data in their system.) Getting the Kardex for the car would be a great help, but I understand they're no longer available.
As for the Fuchs, they're a '67 only wheel (911S) and your matching original set is gold in today's market. When the wheels came out on the first S cars, many owners had the dealerships switch to chrome disc wheels, as the 4.5 Fuchs were really odd looking at the time, so they might have been added to your car at any time during that era.

[Jaems]

The engine replacement is from the 66 model year. Generally all replacement engines did not have a serial number. This had to be a special warranty case to get one with a serial number. Also for it to be entered on a Kardex. The engine may have had then only a few thousand miles when it broke

The body of the car was built at the Karmann coach factory then finished at the Porsche factory. The car is not a 65 even though the COA says it is. The 09/15/65 is September 15 of the 66 model year. The model for 66 started in July 65 the 65 model year ended in June.

We know that the COA, since it was moved to the US, has not be very correct at times. Mine COA's from Germany even have which dealership the car was shipped to. I, at first, thought that it may have been a European delivery, later imported to the US, however, with the Goodyear tires as an option it was then suspect. However, it didn't show the 902/1 as an option either. Which it would of been for a US delivery.

Karmann was contracted to start building the 912 in July of 1965. Because of the need for Porsche to product the new cars in bigger numbers. The Porsche factory could not handle the demand. All Karmann built bodies after June of 65 were for the 66 model year.

[adamlittman]

Thanks for the input Jaems.
I have made an information request to the IL DOT for the title history. I have also reached out to the classic Porsche division at the factory for the kardex details.

[adamlittman]

Bill,
You mentioned that the Fuch's are gold in todays market. I might be interested in going back to the steels and caps and sell the Fuchs. What would market value be on these wheels? Should I leave them on or go back to OE?
Is Pelican's classified the way to go or ebay?

[Jim Chambers]

I think the wheels go for $3-5000.

[WFBowen]

Jim's probably in the right ballpark - Assuming they're still in original condition (i.e. never polished or re-painted inserts) I'd put them out for feelers on Pelican, early 911 board; Samba and even Ebay with an outrageous reserve. These wheels are one of those items that someone restoring a 67S really needs, so the typical lo-balling/response scenario doesn't apply - both seller and buyer know they're expensive items.

[adamlittman]

All five are in original condition with caps. Never polished. All five wheels have the casting #'s and still have the factory red dye stamp on them.
I will post them as you suggested and see what happens.
Thanks guys.