1965 Porsche 911 2.2-Litre Coupé

• Early short-wheelbase model
• Left-hand drive
• Delivered new to California, USA
• Imported into the UK in 2008 (single family ownership since)
• Professionally restored 2020-2025 (bills totalling over £180,000 available)
• Not used since completion in 2025

Few sports cars have proved as versatile as Porsche's perennial 911, a model that, for the past 60-plus years, has proved equally capable as a Grand Tourer, circuit racer or rally car. This particular 911 is one of the early, short-wheelbase cars of the type much favoured by the 2.0-Litre Cup cars and the historic rallying fraternity. Chassis number '301881' was built in July 1965 just before the factory's summer closure. It belongs to the '0-Programme' series built from the start of production in August 1964 up to the introduction of the 'A-Programme' model in August 1967, and thus represents the Porsche 911 in its earliest, purest - and for many most desirable - form.

This early short-wheelbase Porsche 911 was built in left-hand drive configuration and sold new in the USA via VW Pacific in Culver City, Los Angeles, California. The original colour scheme was Bali Blue with a Black leatherette interior, while the factory Kardex also lists the first and second owners, both in California. The Porsche later relocated to Arizona.

The vendor's late brother imported the Porsche into the UK in 2008 (paperwork on file) and stored it in his brother's garage. Upon his death the car passed to his brother (our vendor). Restoration work commenced in 2020 and continued for the next five years, the car being stripped of all parts, which were then restored. A replacement engine, number '901745' (early 1965) was sourced in California and circa 2022 was despatched to Supertec Performance in Fallbrook, CA for a rebuild and modification to 2.2 litres capacity. The rebuild included '2.2' cylinder heads; 36mm intake ports; 35mm exhaust ports; 'fast road' camshaft regrind; Solex carburettors restoration; and a Sachs clutch package (see photographs on file). Supertec's Proposal estimates a total cost of $32,535.

The stripped bodyshell underwent a jigged restoration by Sublime Classics. New panels were supplied either by Porsche or Restoration Design (see invoices). In 2023 the car was sent to Canford Classics of Winterbourne Kingston, Dorset for a further bodyshell restoration and a repaint at a cost of £45,000. In 2024, while still at Canford, the car was re-trimmed including fully restored seats. All suspension parts and ancillaries were assembled, including period-correct headlights and lenses, and a new wiring loom supplied by Kroon of the Netherlands at a cost of £63,000. Many parts were sourced via marque specialist Roger Bray/Design 911 (see file) and there are many related small bills on file.

The car was then transferred to Jez Parsons at Carrera Performance in Horsham. Jez totally rebuilt the five-speed gearbox and installed the engine, which was set up/tuned on a rolling road dynamometer. The result was a healthy 170.6bhp at the wheels (see printout on file). The Porsche has not been used since its completion in 2025.

Accompanying documentation includes restoration invoices; a current V5C Registration Certificate; a current MoT certificate; an original driver's manual (in fair condition); Porsche Cars GB dating letter; an album of photographs recording the recent restoration; and some old US paperwork (copy Arizona title in the name of Bruce Alan Voris).