After leaving Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory in relatively modest guise as a 1965 model year 2.0-litre coupé, it was not until the 1990s that this 911 took a fascinating turn. On returning to its native Germany, the car was entrusted to seasoned Porsche engineers, Oliver Bienert and Manfred Rugen, for conversion into a track-going machine. The overall project was overseen by rally legend Walter Röhrl, who assumed the role of test driver, and gave tips to develop the 911 into an agile and lightweight Porsche with plenty of power. The colour was changed to Maritime Blue, a shade that featured on the 964 RS and early 1990s models.
With Bienert focussed on adapting the bodywork for racing suitability—shedding weight, adding a roll cage, installing Recaro seats, and readying the interior for the rigours of racing—Rugen concen-trated on the engine, with its air-cooled flat-six uprated for some 195 horsepower. After the restoration was completed in 1996, the Porsche was granted FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form papers, and Röhrl drove the 911 in the 1996 Bavaria Rallye Historic.
The 911 changed hands between German owners in the following years, while its purchase in 2013 sparked further developments. Its motorsport-derived form—set in by Bienert, Rugen, and Röhrl—was respected while large parts of the car were rebuilt by hand. Most significant was work completed on the flat-six engine, conducted by former Porsche Motorsport engineer Matthias Hoeing, as the somewhat rigid track configuration evolved into a more forgiving rally set-up, translating to easier application on the road. Hoeing did not rebuild the engine at this point but made subtle tweaks, including the replacement of the existing cams and rocker arms for 911 S-spec parts.
Later acquired by its consigning owner, the Porsche was then returned to Hoeing, at which point the engine was rebuilt by the expert technician between 2020 and 2022. Invoices on file detail the rebuild, which included the installation of new pistons and cylinders with CNC-ported cylinder heads that feature new valve guides, seats, and springs. The engine was equipped with forged adjustable rocker arms and fibreglass tinware. Breathing through Solex 40 PI carburettors and intake manifold, the engine exhales through a Schäfer exhaust. Furthermore, the car was treated other new components not limited to new seats, chromewear, and a new fuel cell.
The Porsche is accompanied by numerous invoices dating to the 1990s, expired FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form papers, DEKRA and TÜV certificates, and a copy of its factory Kardex sheet. Its new owner awaits and can decide whether to use this fascinating 911 in its current “fast road” set-up or to adapt it into popular 2.0-Litre Cup specification for competitive race outings and more. The car is also accompanied by a scale model as a desktop reminder of the ultimate “fast road” F-series model.
