Itinerant Air-Cooled

Does anyone live near San Luis Obispo? Every two years or so I go through an "I want a Porsche" phase and I am very intrigued by this 1968 912 on the Samba:




Any thoughts?

I don't think any other car could be more California.

Wow.. that's a 1968? Beauty. Their bodies didn't change a whole lot did they? To me that could be a 70s 80s or 90s Porsche.

one word:

HUMMER

0 city, 1 highway

Sure looks like a type1. How many cylinders?

hambone wrote:Sure looks like a type1. How many cylinders?

droools

hambone wrote:Sure looks like a type1. How many cylinders?

It's a 1600cc 4-cylinder engine which, according to Wikipedia, makes 90hp and gets up to 30mpg! I wonder how hard these engines are to maintain. Would Colin be able to teach me how to do it? I would really like to continue being able to avoid mechanics.

If you can fix your '72 then you can fix that thing.

Chick magnet!!!!

don't tell your wife...

covelo wrote: It's a 1600cc 4-cylinder engine which, according to Wikipedia, makes 90hp and gets up to 30mpg! I wonder how hard these engines are to maintain. Would Colin be able to teach me how to do it? I would really like to continue being able to avoid mechanics.

That is a beautiful car, the original 912 had the engine supplied to the 356 Porsche (the 1976 912 had the Type 4 engine!)

Be forewarned, however, that the '68 Porsche 911/912 had the short wheelbase and the diabolical reputation for letting go ass-before-tea kettle if you lifted off in a turn. Treat them with attentive respect. But a more beautiful reliable simple essential sportscar, you cannot find.
Colin

A couple of pictures of (minor?) rust. Any thoughts?

Underneath looks good, although I'd still POR15 the suface rust. Those side bubbles aren't so hot though. That needs to be dealt with and the car repainted.

Minor. Minor minor minor. Nonetheless, scold the owner and negotiate the repaint off the asking price. If it is a metallic, you will be looking at a full repaint. If it is solid, you can touch up and color sand. You do want to dig in deep and make the insides and underneath look as good as the surface. I would not be selling a car that looked so piggy in the trunk. My '71 911 had two batteries in each fender well. Good for electrical system, even better for weight balance. Have you driven it? Dogleg first gear? No crunches? Throttle lever next to the handbrake? I loved that feature with my 911. I could "set" the engine drop between gears and shift fast and smooth.
Colin

Amskeptic wrote:Nonetheless, scold the owner and negotiate the repaint off the asking price. If it is a metallic, you will be looking at a full repaint. If it is solid, you can touch up and color sand. You do want to dig in deep and make the insides and underneath look as good as the surface. I would not be selling a car that looked so piggy in the trunk. My '71 911 had two batteries in each fender well. Good for electrical system, even better for weight balance. Have you driven it? Dogleg first gear? No crunches? Throttle lever next to the handbrake? I loved that feature with my 911. I could "set" the engine drop between gears and shift fast and smooth.
Colin

Will do (the scolding). It is metallic, so that will be expensive. I haven't seen or driven it. Thinking of driving down there on Monday. I think I may be able to pick it up for $10k with the bodywork. The problem is finding someone here who can do a decent job with the bodywork and paint without it costing an arm and a leg. Maybe I need to talk to Willy in Portland. He does nice work I hear. Would be a nice drive too. I could do a reverse Southwest or Alaska trip PDX-SJC-PDX between dropoff and pickup.

By the way, the guy seems to be a dealer. Even more nice pictures here. He even has a 1972 westfalia for sale:

covelo wrote:

Amskeptic wrote:Nonetheless, scold the owner and negotiate the repaint off the asking price. If it is a metallic, you will be looking at a full repaint. If it is solid, you can touch up and color sand. You do want to dig in deep and make the insides and underneath look as good as the surface. I would not be selling a car that looked so piggy in the trunk. My '71 911 had two batteries in each fender well. Good for electrical system, even better for weight balance. Have you driven it? Dogleg first gear? No crunches? Throttle lever next to the handbrake? I loved that feature with my 911. I could "set" the engine drop between gears and shift fast and smooth.
Colin

Will do (the scolding). It is metallic, so that will be expensive. I haven't seen or driven it. Thinking of driving down there on Monday. I think I may be able to pick it up for $10k with the bodywork. The problem is finding someone here who can do a decent job with the bodywork and paint without it costing an arm and a leg. Maybe I need to talk to Willy in Portland. He does nice work I hear. Would be a nice drive too. I could do a reverse Southwest or Alaska trip PDX-SJC-PDX between dropoff and pickup.

By the way, the guy seems to be a dealer. Even more nice pictures here. He even has a 1972 westfalia for sale:

That is the quintessential Porsche 911. Hie thee to a driving school if you get it. I am very sorry that I wrecked mine. I could not catch the snap-oversteer avoiding a drunk. Had I been schooled, and had my passenger not screamed like a little girl. . .
Colin