1968 Porsche 912 Soft-Window Targa

The auction catalog calls the Weber carbs an update, but I call them wrong

by Jim Schrager

Photo: RM Auctions

After years of building its commercial and racing success around the 356 models, Porsche introduced the larger, more powerful, two-liter Porsche 911 model in 1965. Maintaining the company’s success with rear-engine positioning, the all-new design provided an aerodynamic body over a revised chassis that housed a sophisticated suspension system, a more powerful flat-six engine, and a five-speed transmission. The combination was extremely powerful, making the new 911 faster and more stable at high speed than the 356 model. Feeling excluded, many Porsche fans yearned for a more affordable alternative to the 911. Buyers did not have long to wait, as in 1966 Porsche introduced the affordable 912 model with virtually the same horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that was used in the 356 Super 90. Despite a weight penalty of 220 pounds versus the lighter 356 Super 90, the 912 achieved the identical top speed of 115 mph. Production ran from 1965 through 1969,...