1968 Porsche 911 2.0 Coupe

1,991cc SOHC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
2 Trible Weber Carburetors
130bhp at 6,100rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Spectacularly well-presented example from the very last year of the pure SWB, 2.0-Liter 911
*Preserved in its as-delivered Burgundy over Black livery with sports seats fitted
*Retains its factory installed, matching-numbers engine
*Much restoration and refurbishment work performed


THE PORSCHE 911

Introduced at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 911 proved to be the most historically significant Porsche model of all, becoming the mainstay of the Zuffenhausen production for more than 50 years, albeit constantly modified and uprated. With a broadly similar layout to the 356, the 911 had a steel platform chassis with springing by torsion bars, MacPherson front struts, rear trailing arms, and a flat-6 air-cooled engine and five-speed transmission first seen on the 904. Like the final 356C, the new 911 utilized disc brakes at all corners. Larger, more comfortable and quicker in every respect, the 911 proved a more than adequate replacement for the 356 and steadily evolved into the legendary supercar we know and love today.

The first of countless upgrades to Porsche's perennial 911 came in 1966 with the introduction of the 911S, which featured a better-equipped interior and a heavily revised engine producing 160bhp. By this time around half of all 911s produced were being exported to the USA, where increasingly stringent regulation demanded that changes be made to the original design, the most significant being the adoption of dual-circuit brakes. It took time for Porsche's engineers to get the newly introduced 'S' engine to meet emissions targets, so as an interim measure the 911L was introduced featuring the 911S's superior equipment level but retaining the original 130bhp engine, pending the arrival of the detoxed US-specification 911S for 1969. The 911L was dropped at the same time, its place as Porsche's middle-of-the-range offering being taken by the 911E.



THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunning short-wheelbase, 2.0-Liter Porsche 911 is one of the few '68 911s to be delivered new to the US that year; the very last production-year for the original short-wheelbase 911 model. Completed at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche factory during January of 1968, the new 911 was finished just as it appears today in Burgundy Red (6808) over a black leatherette interior. The list of optional extras fitted to the Porsche included ventilated chrome wheels, chrome bumper horns, tinted glass, antenna and loudspeaker. The 911 was destined for the Porsche-hungry North American market, where it was delivered new through the legendary Otto Zipper Porsche agency in Los Angeles, California, one of the pioneering and highly supportive Porsche dealers of the era. The Porsche 911 is believed to have remained in the US ever since and is reported to have been cared for by one single owner between 1985 and 2016, at which point the car was acquired by a Texas-based classic car dealer, who was intrigued by the originality and largely preserved state of the rare and desirable, early 911. An engine out service was performed on the original matching-numbers 2.0-Liter unit around this time, while many other of the car's mechanical systems were refurbished and serviced. The crucial hydraulic chain tensioner upgrade was done at this point as well, while the 5-speed transaxle was serviced. It was here recorded, that the transaxle is of the correct 902-type for a 1968 911, but not the exact unit fitted to the car when new. A professional, carefully executed repaint of the exterior body panels in the original Burgundy Red color was later performed, while door and compartment jambs was left in the original factory paint; testimony to the originality and well-preserved state of the car.

Today this outstanding, spectacularly well-preserved early 2.0-Liter 911 is offered from the collection of a prominent Los Angeles-based Porsche enthusiast with less than 72,700 miles recorded on the odometer; a figure indeed believed to reflect the car's mileage since new, when considering the apparent originality throughout. Period-correct, newly trimmed black sports seats are fitted, while much original interior trim remains intact and in lovely condition. The original lights and lenses along with much of the glasswork remains in situ, as does the original chrome and brightwork. Original ID plates and factory decals appear undisturbed and gives the Porsche a truly honest and unmolested feel. Excellent panel fit and finish is apparent throughout the bodywork, while the correct gold-anodized Porsche script is fitted to the rear decklid. The original ventilated chrome disc wheels with hubcaps are in place, shod on Michelin ZXZ tires, while cool original style yellow-lens fog lights are fitted in the front apron.

A great example from the last production-year of the pure 2.0-Liter, short-wheelbase 911, this cared-for example is offered with jack and full tool kit and will unquestionably provide many miles of driving enjoyment for its next, lucky owner!