I’ll follow up with a proper post of the engine going in, but for now, it runs!

After a little hunting on 912bbs.org, I found a semi-local guy with a spare engine taking up space in his garage. Supposedly, it was a good runner he bought to put in his while the original engine was rebuilt.

When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find an engine on a hoist ready to go in my truck, and next to it, an absolutely perfect early 912. He had meticulously restored it over the past 10 years, and everything on it was brilliant. Glassy blue paint, a beautiful interior, and a freshly rebuilt engine.

My engine looks pretty decent. It’s not nearly as pretty as the one in the blue car. I don’t like that it doesn’t have the original air cleaners, but it should clean up nice, and best of all, it’s a runner.

What I have here is nearly a brilliant car. It’s missing a hood, a passenger window, and some other minor pieces, but it came with most of an engine. It needs to be painted, but it’s completely rust-free (Porsche didn’t galvanize the 911/912 chassis until 1976, so an early car’s condition is really hit or miss). And the part that completely sold me; it has a brand new interior. Red leather with cloth plaid inserts, black leather above the belt line, and a painted 5 gauge dash (only found on the European market 912s).

First thing’s first, I need to source an engine. After looking up the numbers on the case, and talking to a few 356 and 912 guys, what I have is case halves from two different 356s, an end piece from a 912, heads from a 356a, and a fan shroud from an early European 356. It’s not going in the car, so I’m thinking it might make a good table. Luckily, I have a lead on a good, running, local 912 engine. Hopefully the next post involves bringing that home!

Notice the Rival House shirt? They are for sale now!

+more colors!!