1966 Porsche 912 Karmann Coupe 5-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1966
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 912 Coupe
- VIN: 455147
- Mileage Shown: 51,659mi (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Slate Grey
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Kennesaw, GA 30152
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0053833
Introduced as an entry-level model alongside the original Porsche 911 in 1965, the 912 shares the platform of its counterpart and features a lighter and more easily maintained 1.6-liter flat-four engine from the 356SC. This 1966 Porsche 912 Karmann Coupe is finished in Slate Grey over a black leatherette interior with houndstooth seat centers and is equipped with a 5-speed manual transaxle. The car was purchased by the seller from a long-term previous owner 3 years ago and has since been refurbished and improved with a PMB caliper rebuild, a dual-circuit master cylinder, new distributor points, spark plugs, fuel lines, shifter bushings, Hella horns, a rebuilt fuel pump, a recent valve adjustment, and a freshly rebuilt transmission with a taller 5th gear. Accompanied by a Kardex and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this 912 is now being offered for auction out of Georgia.
This Porsche 912 Coupe is one of approximately 2,482 examples built by Karmann between 1965 and 1969. It came factory-finished in the desirable nonmetallic color of Slate Grey (6601) and features chrome bumperettes, bright window moldings, a polished driver’s side mirror, a fender-mounted antenna, new Hella horns, and 14” polished Fuchs wheels. The Toyo tires are dated from 2015. The seller indicates the car was previously refinished in its original color and the floor pans were replaced at some point. Some paint chips and bubbles are noted around the exterior.
The black leatherette interior features reupholstered seats with new springs, pads, and houndstooth cloth inserts. Accessories include an early three-gauge instrument cluster, a wood-trimmed four-spoke steering wheel, brushed aluminum dashboard trim, manual window cranks, lap belts, and a pushbutton Blaupunkt radio. The footwells are lined with new Coco floor mats and the instrument cluster has been fitted with LED gauge lights. The seller adds that the speedometer cable was recently replaced along with the hood and rear decklid struts.
The 1.6-liter flat-four engine delivers power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle which was recently rebuilt and fitted with a taller 5th gear for highway speeds. The car has also been refurbished with a PMB caliper rebuild, a dual-circuit master cylinder, a recent valve adjustment, new distributor points, spark plugs, fuel lines, fuel filter, a rebuilt fuel pump, new shifter bushings, and a recent oil change.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, a toolkit, a spare tire, a Kardex, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, service invoices, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “I purchased this 912 from a friend and enjoyed driving on club events while making repairs and improvements taking it to the next level. This is an excellent driver quality 912 that is ready to drive coast to coast.”
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $42,500
- Auction End: Jan 30, 2025 07:50:00PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 4
Comments (33)
Highest Offer Received $44,000.00
another vote for deal tank
put it on deal tank....:)
Bid in the amount of $42,500
The reserve has been lowered on this great 912 I hope it finds a new good home today
@ Siberian24
I would be happy to provide standard painted wheels and caps with the sale if it meets my reserve.
Daryle
The 912 came with 15" x5.5"w standard steel wheels and flat-ish hubcaps. Most were painted steel wheels, like the spare in trunk, and 15" chrome steel wheels were an option. Mini-lite wheels were aftermarket and used by the aut-x crowd. Whatever, if it isn't 15" steel wheels, it is not original. The 15" Fuch alloy wheels were 6" wide for 185/70 tires, usually Michelin XWX's.
@Siberian24
The 912 had a 15" mini-light wheels on it when purchased - I like the look and smoother ride and out on these Fuchs that I had around the garage.
I always liked the 3 gauge dash - shows the brand evolution from the 356 to the 911.
@mdistelbmw
This paint is old and lifting around deck lid emblem - this is a driver quality 912 - paint polishes up and shows well but has blemishes
I also seem to remember a bottom cover tray below the steering & brake MC. Photo #67. When owners lowered the car, they put 19mm aluminum spacers on the steering rack to offset "bump-steer".
FWIW- While the transmission may have been set up for autocross, the 14" Fuchs alloys were NOT part of that effort. The 14" alloys came on a later 911E as a "comfort group". The taller sidewall was far more "cushy" and made the short wheelbase early 912s more comfortable. As such, they were terrible for autocross or anything similar. I didn't see a front sway bar, as none was standard on a early 912. There were aftermarket sway bars available, (like from Automotion and others) and many owners added one. It fits behind the upper edge of the gas tank in that small space there. I know these details because I had a 1967 912 and tried the 14" alloys. The 15" alloys (looks the same) will also fit and have better tire sizes/characteristics. I liked 1967 more than the 1966 because of 5 dash instruments and "slightly" more refined.
I noticed the bubbling/cracked paint around the emblems. Is that rust or a defect in the paint? Any other spots to point out?
Hello Team Pcarmarket
Auction ends today-I will respond to any last minute questions.
This is a excellent driver 912 that in turn key ready to drive coast to coast.
Daryle
@ LouFifer356B-60
55 MPH at 4000 RPM
to
55 MPH at 3200 RPM
Thank you for the 5-gear video. I heard, counted, and watched the 5th gear shifting but could not see the RPM drop. Can you tell me how much reduction you saw? Car looks great. Thank you - Lou
@LouFifer356B-60
New video added showing 5 th gear
@LouFifer356B-60
Sorry- you are correct- the video with the 5 th did not get posted- I will try to load up a highway video before the auction ends.
Good answer but after three (3) times watching the Driving Video I can only count 4 gears and thus have not seen the RPM drop in 5th gear. Were you saying that had you gone into 5th it would then rev lower?
Thanks - Lou
@LouFifer356B-60
I sourced a factory 912-5 speed gearbox and had Franz Blam rebuild it using the factory Zd 31:22 fifth gear- also installed new syncros and bearings- 1 to 4 gear ratios are on a tag attached to the gearbox- I need to get it on my lift to get those ratios.
As you can hear on the driving video 1to 4 are pretty close- the rpm drops a lot when input it in 5th for a moment.
The 912 stayed in the mountains of NC a lot and the close 1 to 4 were needed for sporting mountain driving on the twisties :)
Can you explain how you installed the "taller 5th gear"? Did you add a gear to the original transmission? Did you swap out a stock 4-speed for a stock 5-speed, as was optional back in the day" Did you swap in a 914 5-speed transmission? What are the gear ratios 1-2-3-4-5?
Thank you - Lou
@jarrysmally I think the wiring harness is the original and in good condition - everything works as it should. The radio needs attention - it turns on but the volume knob has static and difficult to set.
@BigKahunna74. Yes, the 66 had a single stage master cylinder from the factory but I installed a 911 dual circuit when I rebuilt the brake system. I suggest dual circuit on anything that is driven for safety.
@1500Blau Not sure on carpet - I think a new carpet kit would be a good next improvement. I believe the dash had been recovers at some time.
Wasn’t a 66 delivered with a single circuit master cylinder?
I cannot vouch for this car other than what I see, which looks like a really nice driver. I had the good fortune of selling a Fuel Injected 1965 356C custom that was built by this seller on BaT in September of 2021. It was one of the nicest vehicles I have ever had the privilege of being around. The car sold for $157K and went to Australia. Daryle, the builder actually stopped by my home in California to adjust some things before we shipped it off to the new owner. He is a very well known Porsche guy on the east coast and is a resource to many, giving his time and energy unselfishly to all in our hobby.
From my perspective you could not buy an old car from a more knowledgeable, honest, caring gentleman. I'm quite sure this car is sorted beyond anyones expectations.
The photos of the floor pan without the mats look like the carpet may be original. Do you know if they were able to retain the original carpet when the pans were replaced? Also does the dash appear to be original?
Thanks
What is the condition of the electrical system?
@Speedsterboy
We really don’t have much history on the engine.
I believe this 912 was set up to do Auto cross because of the short gears that were in the previous transmission-also floor pan has signs of having a roll bar at sometime.
inside of valve covers are very clean so I believe oil was changed regularly
I haven’t done a compression yet because the engine just runs out so strong. Solex carburetors are dialed in and do not leak and stay dry
when I changed out all of the fuel lines I rebuilt the fuel pump as well-not sure how much ethanol fuel has been in this car but I’ve always ran ethanol free
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Has the engine been freshened and if so, when?
Bid in the amount of $35,356
Bid in the amount of $35,000