For his latest automotive rescue, Dennis Collins heads out on a nighttime adventure to El Reno, Oklahoma. The YouTube video reveals it's a hurried trip as he must act fast to secure a pair of classic Porsches from the 1960s. We learn the seller secured the duo of 912s (a '66 and a '68) through a storage sale and is eager to find a buyer for these classic cars. And Collins is more than happy to oblige.
No Planning For This Rapid Porsche Rescue
The typical Collins car rescue involves a well-planned daytime retrieval of classic Detroit metal like a Ford Mustang, but this episode is anything but usual. A morning phone call means Collins and crew have little time to waste as they drive off to the target. An ill-prepared trailer and after-dark arrival present uniques challenges.
At first glance, the Porsches’ outlines are about the only thing visible at the seller's garage. A single overhead light offers some illumination, but the darkness adds a bit of mystery to the encounter. Yet, the secrets are revealed as the camera gets closer, and it's discovered that these 912s aren't pristine.
Not Perfect Porsches
The cars' condition doesn't deter Collins from a deal. He dives right into the supporting documentation to assess the potential of these five-speed Porsches. The 1966 912 has seen better days. Its red exterior is pock-marked with bodywork and in need of restoration. Inside, the tattered non-stock sport seats disclose a cabin also requiring work. Interestingly, paperwork shows the replacement engine was supplied under factory warranty, which makes the powerplant numbers matching to the car, according to Collins. We also learn that the car was brought to the U.S. in 1974 by the then owner (not Porsche) and hasn't been on the street in 40 years.
The Sand Beige 912, a 1968 model, is in better shape, but it still hasn't been actively driven in almost 30 years. This Porsche has a few body wounds, but not to the extent of its counterpart. A look inside shows a well-optioned cabin with a five-gauge dashboard and front-seat headrest. Reportedly, the car starts but seized front wheels make it a challenge to get out of the garage.
The Significance Of The Porsche 912
While Porsches have always enjoyed a performance-focused aura, the automaker's top-of-the-food-chain status is a more recent occurrence. So, in its early days, the automaker regularly offered more affordable models to help with sales.
The 912 was a stop-gap product as the company transitioned from the 356 to the 911. Its four-cylinder air-cooled engine and other tweaks offered consumers a less-costly 911-ish experience. Built from 1965 to 1969, the 912 saw duty until the introduction of the "budget" 914. The 912 would appear again for one year in 1976 as Porsche introduced the 924.
Sources: YouTube, Porsche Club of America