1965 Porsche 911 2.0-Litre SWB FIA Coupé

• Delivered new in Germany
• Desirable short-wheelbase model
• Converted to FIA specification and prepared by Tuthill Porsche
• Rebuilt in 2015 at a cost of over £110,000
• Driven by many top rallying stars including Jimmy McRae and Bjorn Waldegard
• Currently set up for circuit racing
• Current FIA HTP papers
• Easily converted to rally specification

An early example built in May 1965 on the short-wheelbase chassis, '301048' was delivered new to Cologne, Germany. Subsequently the 911 was exported to the USA before arriving in the UK where it was prepared to FIA rally specification by Tuthill Porsche, who have developed and maintained it throughout most of its competition career. The car competed successfully throughout the 1990s, driven by rally stars such as Stig Blomqvist, Jimmy McRae, Bjorn Waldegard and Billy Coleman to name but a few, finishing on the podium on numerous occasions.

The previous owner acquired the car in 2013, despatching it the following year to Tuthill Porsche for a comprehensive upgrade to race specification, with the option of being able to convert it to rally use. Accordingly, the car was stripped to a bare shell and rebuilt from the ground upwards incorporating all the latest upgrades. These included rebuilds of the engine, gearbox and differential; installing an FIA-approved roll cage from Custom Cages; and fitting a new wiring loom. The rebuild was completed in 2015 at a cost of more than £110,000.

Since completion the Porsche has performed impeccably, setting many fastest stage times in the FIA European Rally Championship, with outright victories at Ypres in 2015 and 2016. Since then the 911 has been set up for circuit racing with lowered suspension, enjoying a successful outing at the Algarve Historic Festival. The car is currently fitted with an 80-litre lightweight ATL bag tank for rallies (which enables a spare wheel to be carried) alongside a 20-litre tank sufficient for up to two hours' circuit racing. A zero-hours 'circuit' race gearbox is currently fitted.

The comprehensive history file contains current FIA HTP papers valid until 2025; several past FIA papers; service invoices dating from the 2000s; records of results throughout its competition life; press cuttings and photographs showing the car in action; and documentation of its UK owners.

The current vendor purchased the Porsche from a well-known UK dealer just before the Covid-19 lockdown with the idea of competing in the forthcoming season's racing. Unfortunately, due to work commitments abroad post-Covid, he has not been able to realise his dream. With a proven track record in international racing, this supremely versatile and competitive FIA Porsche wants only for a talented new owner to continue its winning ways.