The 1967 Porsche 912
Steve Maas, Long Beach, California, USA
March, 2011
I've
always admired the Porsche 912. These 1960s-era cars have a clean, simple design
and have wonderful performance in all respects. Most importantly, they date from
an era when a
sports car was expected to have a good balance of performance, not simply an American-style mini muscle car with, perhaps, some modest
ability to go around a corner.
This car has a number of nice features. The interior has been completely restored in tan leather, including the rear shelf and side panels. Rubber body seals, which are expensive to replace, are in very good condition, as is the paint. It came with a five-speed transmission, real Hella fog lights, and Fuchs wheels. The engine is the stock 1600cc with only 4000 miles on a good-quality rebuild.
I intend to get the car into good, reliable condition, so I can use it for longer trips. I probably will never drive it across the country, but a little jaunt to San Francisco or San Diego is not out of the question.
Below are a few pictures of the car. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of any picture.
Projects
Any classic car is a bottomless well of project opportunities. I like to do things that improve the reliability and functionality of the car, yet still allow it to retain its classic appearance. I don't worry too much about originality, as the car lost its virginity a long time ago, so there's little point in obsessing over such things.
Links to the project descriptions are below:
The Porsche 912 hazard flasher is no longer obtainable. Here is my solution to the problem.
The original fuse block is not a good design, and some aspects of the electrical system are not well conceived. Here are some improvements (mid 2010).
I replaced the troublesome, low-power, and nonreplaceable generator with an alternator (early 2016).
The Porsche fuel system, while not unlike other cars of its era, could use some modernization. In June, 2011, mine got it.
In early 2011, I rebuilt the front suspension. The main reason was to replace the bushings, but I did much more than that.
Continuing Restoration: Engine, Transmission, and Other Stuff
The continuation of a mini-restoration, finished in early 2012. This required pulling the engine and transmission.
This describes a the rebuild of a supposedly rebuilt, five-speed transmission. Unlike the original rebuilder, I got it right this time.
Yet Another Transmission Rebuild
Better described as the refurbishment of a good four-speed box.
In June, 2012, I decided to replace the carpet. As with other projects, it mushroomed a bit.
Sooner or later, every owner of an early Porsche will have to do this.
I finally got tired of the cheap VW exhaust system that came with my 912 and replaced it with a used Bursch exhaust from a 356. It required a fair amount of modification. (December 2014.)
I bought, mounted, and balanced a set of new tires.
Technical Subjects
Automotive Ignition Systems (PDF)
Some technical information on how they really work, and description of a simple, MOSFET electronic ignition. (Rev. 2, April 2024)
Results of my research into the issues surrounding ZDDP in motor oil.
Article from the GM Techlinks periodical, by someone who actually knows something.