In October 1964, after six years of design and development, Porsche started production of the new 911 – the car that would define the company for the next 50 years and beyond. Over the first 18 months the car’s specification remained unchanged bar for some minor detail improvements. These earliest cars can therefore be considered the “origin” of the evolutionary process that leads to the current 992.
Running on the original wheelbase of 2,211 mm, with a 2.0 litre Solex carburettored engine, narrow 4.5 inch wheels and relatively soft suspension, these cars have a charm all of their own. They represented a massive leap forward from the 356 they replaced and were engineered to a much higher standard than their contemporary competition. Motoring journalists at the time were universal in their praise for what many now consider to be the greatest sports car design of all time.
this car
Chassis 302003 is a genuine left hand drive Porsche 911 built in July 1965. The car was finished in Ruby Red with Black Leatherette interior before being purchased later that year by Mr. W.A. Stockton via Florida-based Porsche dealer Brumos Porsche. As listed on the Certificate of Authenticity and factory Kardex, the car was supplied with tinted glass all round, wheel caps with Porsche crests, a left hand door mirror and a Webasto gas fired heater.
Little is known of the car’s history immediately after Mr Stockton’s ownership until the car was listed for sale in Houston, Texas in 2017 after what was described as a three-year restoration of the car. The car had repainted in its original shade of Ruby Red with the engine and gearbox rebuilt and the interior re-upholstered. Sought-after original items such as the tools and jack remain with the car as do the original Solex carburettors and petrol-fired Webasto heater, not mounted for obvious reasons… Importantly, the restoration was extensively documented with a large collection of images evidencing the originality of the body shell and the quality of the restoration work.
The current owner purchased the car from Houston in September 2017 and imported it directly to Monaco where a major service of the engine was carried out in December 2018. In September 2019 the car was imported to the UK. In February 2022, it was sent to marque specialists Maxted-Page for a major service which included a full engine tune-up, the fitment of more modern PMO carburettors and a geometry setup, with the work totalling close to £20,000. Most recently this year, the car has just had a pre-sale service and checkover at Autofarm at the owner’s behest.
our thoughts
This is where it all started. The very first Porsche 911. A car that would go on to dominate in showrooms and on race tracks the world over. To experience the car as it was originally intended is a revelation. Light, compact, delicate, tactile – we find these very early cars joyful to drive and fascinating to own. They are a true piece of automotive history.
Mechanically, this car has received attention from the right people. It is on the button with a strong, torquey engine and compliant gearbox that combine to drive superbly. The acceleration is lusty and the car is more than capable of keeping ahead of most modern traffic, as well as providing satisfyingly rich feedback along the way.
