1976 Porsche 912E / Creampuff / Driver / Current CA Smog

1976 Porsche 912 Description

THIS IS A NO RESERVE AUCTION. I PLAN ON SELLING THIS CAR, NOT LISTING IT FOR A YEAR IN HOPES OF GETTING THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST PRICE. BID TO WIN!

I’ve owned this car for the past a year. I bought it from a friend who got it in partial trade for some $100k+ vintage VW’s he was selling to a collector in Las Vegas. Ironically, the 912E spent some years here in Temecula where I work and I know the guy who owns the shop where the car was serviced for a long time. (Tom’s Foreign Auto). That helped me have the confidence to buy it at the time.

Since then I’ve driven it all over for many short stints through the two-lane twisties near my house (about twice a month) and I’ve done several day trips of about 200 miles each with my wife, like up to the mountains, the beach, etc. I’ve never had a single issue with it, it always starts, always runs, never gets hot or stumbles. Frankly, I can’t believe fuel injection this old functions SO well. I’ve never left the car outside overnight, it’s always been in my garage or the warehouse at my work, generally with a cover on it. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere at any time.It cruises right along at modern highway speeds and does not shimmy, vibrate or shake or pull. After a spirited all-day drive, it will leave one spot of oil about 1/4” in diameter on the deck.

Shifting, brakes, lights, stereo, electric antenna, windows, doors, locks, latches, glove box, switches, all that stuff works as it should.

It retains the original unused spare tire, air pump, Porsche tool kit (look those up on eBay! $800+). All glass is either Sigla or Sekurit.

From looking at the stacks of documents that came with the car, I believe the engine has about 11,000 miles since the rebuild. The engine compartment is very clean and 100% original. Passed smog no problem, I even got a new certificate a couple weeks ago in anticipation of putting it up for sale. The heat exchangers are removed, since those made these engines overheat. This means there is no heater, but that hasn’t been a big deal to me. This is common with the 912E design not just this car. There is zero rust, even in the smuggler’s box or “hell hole”.

The paint, resprayed in the original color had to have cost a fortune at the time (around 1998 near as I can tell) as all the glass came out and it’s held up very nicely. There are a couple spots with a faint orange peel, but you have to really get close to see it. You know how some people say a car is 20/20 meaning it looks good from 20 feet at 20mph? I’d call this a 3/0: it looks perfect sitting still from about three feet away, but if you get really close you can find an imperfection here and there. I think this is the most pleasing color combo produced by Porsche to this day. Silver over black just wins me over. Shut lines are very well aligned and doors and deck lids close with the appropriate “snick”. While this car has been driven regularly, its been babied otherwise. I could not find any evidence (physical or recorded) of any accidents.

Interior is all original. No odd-ball reupholstery or add-ons. I believe the seat covers to be original. They are thick original-style leather and smell delicious. There is one small crack in the dash. The steering wheel is showing some age and might be reconditioned, covered or just run as is. Headliner is perfect and was replaced when the car was painted. Back seats, carpet and cocoa mats are in great shape.The leather straps for back seats are in place, I just have them tucked behind the seats to avoid any unwanted UV damage.

Here’s the negatives:

• The idiot light that comes on when you pull the e-brake up does not go off when you release the brake. I just never got around to figuring it out. Probably an adjustment on the switch.

• The original speaker grills have a couple cracks in them which prevents them from locking on tight so when you close the door, they pop off. I was going to replace them and never got around to it.

• Clock does not work.

• You will have to talk to people every time you drive it somewhere.

Here’s the positives:

• This is a creampuff, but not one that has been sitting idle allowing seals and such to go bad. Consistent driving is what cars are meant to do.

• No rust, even in smugglers box.

• Rebuilt engine with all original fuel-injection and smog equipment

• Beautiful, stock interior. Gauge needles super bright and not faded.

• Tires are only a year old

• Years ago it won it’s class in Monterey, CA PCA Concours according to a note from previous owner. Would have been nice if there was some real proof of this, but I believe it.

• I am a private seller who has actual experience with the car, not a dealer trying to flip something they bought at auction or on consignment. I’ve been on eBay since 2001 and have 100% positive feedback with over 1300 transactions.

• The car is available to look at and drive in Temecula, CA

• All smog equipment present and recent smog certificate

• Clean CA title in my name

• Decades worth of receipts and notes from previous owners

• Original owners manual, complete with service stamps from the first year of ownership

• Other than a period-correct alarm and driving lights, I don’t think it has been modified in any way. I’ve never bothered to use the alarm.

If you aren’t familiar with the 912E model, do some research.In my opinion it’s got all of the 911’s looks with the practicality and affordability of a 914 power plant and is about half the cost of a similar condition 911 of the same era.

Only reason I am selling it is to free up space and dollars for a 1957 VW Single Cab project that I’m working on.

Bottom line, it’s a clean, unmolested driver that can be proudly enjoyed as is.

Sold as-is with no warranty implied or expressed. CA vanity license plate is a modern one that has been professionally repainted to be the correct blue and gold for the era. If going outside of California or if you don't want the plates, I'd like to keep them.

Shipping is the buyer's responsibility but I will gladly make myself available to your shipping company to assist with loading, etc.