When the Porsche 911 was introduced in 1964 to replace the Porsche 356 it was a major step forward for the company. The new engine in the 911 was a horizontally opposed air cooled 6 cylinder, and the new body style was cutting edge and up to date at the time. The biggest downside to the new 911 was price, which was approximately 50% higher, due to the added costs, than the 356 it replaced. In order to continue to remain competitive for those seeking a lower price point, the Porsche 912 was developed to be a “standard” version of the Porsche 911, at the same price as the outgoing 356, which Porsche stopped building in 1965. Fitted with a version of the final pushrod 356 engine, the 912 had the same body, available as a coupe or targa model, as the 911 with a more basic interior. Initially the 912 outsold the 911 for the first few years of production and for many, it was likely the better choice, with good handling and fuel economy while maintaining a relatively sporty performance. Although the 911 was an overall faster car with greater acceleration, the 912 proved its own in racing as well, with at least 110 pounds less weight and the bulk of the weight reduction behind the rear wheels, the 912 is often considered the better handling car. In 1969 the Porsche 912 was phased out to be replaced by the Porsche 914, which was intended to be cheaper to build, but that proved not to be the case, and in 1976, the Porsche 912 returned for one year only, in a fashion, as the Porsche 912E, but unlike the original 912, it was fitted with a Volkswagen Type 4 engine with an output of 80 horsepower and served as a stop gap between the 914 and the Porsche 924 which debuted in 1977. This Porsche 912 is a 1967 coupe mode, and was sold new in Washington State to a Navy diver who kept and drove the car for the rest of his life. Over that time he managed to largely preserve the car in original condition, though a small amount of repair and repainting happened on the passenger side due to a very minor accident. The bulk of the paint, along with just about everything else on the car is original, showing some use but not much real wear. There is a little bit of rust showing in the bottom of the sills and where a body seam exists on the back of the fender behind the front wheels, which is a common problem on Porsches of this era, but other than these areas the car is solid. Although all 912s were pretty spartan, this car is fitted with the optional 5 speed gearbox. Along with the car I received the original dealer window sticker which stated the car had chrome wheels. The wheels on the car when I got it, however, were correctly dated painted wheels, still in excellent condition, suggesting that the previous owner may have opted to have the dealer swap the wheels when he bought the car. I have since had the original wheels chromed and fitted with new period correct tires, which is the only restoration work I’ve carried out on the car. Like the Porsche 356, the driving experience for the 912 is excellent. It’s not really a fast car, but is a relaxing, pleasurable car to drive. The 5 speed gearbox shifts well and has a dogleg first gear, that is accessed by pushing down the gear stick to clear the reverse lockout. The other thing that stands out about the 912, like all Porsches of the 1960s, is its build quality, which, for an original car over 50 years old, it has no rattles or clunks, everything feels solid, well built, and durable.