1969 Porsche 912 Coupe Factory Electric Sunroof Numbers Matching / CA Delivered

Porsche 912s have been rapidly gaining in popularity.  These better-balanced/handling Porsches have grown in appeal thanks to builders like Benton Performance and the enthusiasm of the late Jeff Trask (champion behind the 912 registry).  However, despite the increased interest, the restoration cost is not much different from that of a 911.  As a result, very few are fully restored.  The best bet is to find a nice survivor that’s led a good life.  Only 3,500 ’69 models were produced worldwide that year.  Furthermore, a factory sunroof is quite rare in a 912 as fewer than 3% of cars produced were ordered with this expensive option (est. $500).

The ’69 912 was also the last of the early examples and the only year to get the longer wheelbase.  In particular, the Karmann body examples were reported to be the lightest chassis built.  Combined with the 912 weighing 200lbs less than the 911, they are very nimble and fun-driving vintage sports car alternatives.

This 912 was built on June 18^th, 1969 and was imported by Volkswagen Pacific, Inc. in Culver City, California (the West Coast Porsche distributor).  It was ordered with the following options:

• Special Paint (Sond. Lak)
• Chrome Bumperettes w/Rubber, front and rear
• Ventilated Chrome Wheels – 5½ x 15
• Hub caps with colored crests
• Tinted Glass All Around
• Antenna – Left
• Loudspeaker in Dashboard
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Leather Seats (restored in leatherette)
• Electric Sunroof
• Blaupunkt Bremen Radio
• Semperit Tires

Jeff Trask was a fixture in the 912 community for decades and was always helping his friends find the right one.  He found this car locally from a longtime owner who may have even purchased it new, but we aren’t sure.  Since this example was delivered new in Southern California, it probably spent the initial part of its life here on the West Coast.  This primary owner eventually relocated the car to his other home in Southern Florida, near the Keys, for a bit before bringing this 912 back to Southern California over 10 years ago.  In 2015, this owner decided it was time to sell it, and of course,e he contacted Jeff.

At about the same time, Jeff was trying to convince his local Orange County Porsche friend to buy a 912.  He even let his friend drive his personal 912 (1968 912 sunroof coupe).  So, when this example became available, he immediately called the current owner and told him he had to buy it based on its rarity and condition.  The current local owner purchased it on June 6^th, 2015 (almost exactly 46 years after it was built) with 76,663 miles on the odometer.

For the past decade of ownership, the current owner has added 9k miles of light weekend driving.  He took it to a couple 912 Registry Rendezvous events in Central California as well as displayed it at several Luftgekühlt air-cooled Porsche shows.  During his ownership, the car was always garaged, never driven in poor weather, and serviced regularly at Daniel’s Speed Shop (independent air-cooled Porsche specialist) in Costa Mesa, California.  He also had extensive detailing performed by Doctor Detail here in Costa Mesa.  Highlights of services performed over the years include:

• Routine oil services
• Paint correction and full wet-sanding by Doctor Detail (6/15)
• Valve adjustment, oil service, battery, and inspection (6/16 @ 82,377 miles)
• Repair accelerator pedal arm (11/17 @ 83,782 miles)
• Front control arm and rear torsion bar bushings (1/18 @ 83,907 miles)

Since 2018, this owner has only added 2,500 miles but still ran it regularly.  Regardless, he still did routine oil services and tune-ups/change points.  Upon receiving this 912, we took it to our local independent Porsche specialist and had him go through the car.  He said the car was in very good condition with no signs of any major prior repairs.  He noted that the transmission nose cone is showing some minor oil sweating, but nothing significant enough to warrant repair.  Between our preferred mechanic and our detailer, the following services were performed in preparing the car for sale:

• Valve adjustment
• Valve cover gaskets
• Oil service (20w-50 high zinc)
• New Interstate battery w/proper securing hardware
• Hood shocks
• Compression test: 1) 150  2) 150  3) 140   4) 145
• Paint correction
• Paint polish
• C-Quartz nano-ceramic coating paint protection
• Steam cleaning of carpet and interior
• Steam clean engine bay and underside

Although the current owner enjoys this 912, he travels to Europe frequently and drives the car less.  We were excited to get this example as we’ve never sold a sunroof 912, and also, knowing it went through Jeff Trask’s hands, we knew it would be an excellent example.

The exterior looks fresh and shows minimal signs of use.  It was repainted many years ago in the original factory color.  The quality of the work was very good and has held up well.  The exterior trim is in nice shape with no major blemishes.  The light lenses are also in good shape.  The glass is wearing all the proper factory stampings and has no major scratches or chips.  The factory chrome steel wheels have no major flaws and are wearing their original hubcaps with painted crests.  They are mounted with Vredestein tires dated 2015 with no signs of age and approximately 75% life remaining.  The brakes have over half-life remaining in the rear and under half-life on the fronts.

The interior is equally as nice and appears to have been lightly refurbished some time ago.  The front seats were refurbished in leatherette and show minimal wear with no tears, cracks, or signs of heavy use.  The rear seats appear to be the original leather and unused.  The headliner has no staining, tears, or sagging issues, and the interior headliner lights work.  The sunvisors are a bit collapsed but still rotate.  The carpet has no major stains or heavy wear marks and is protected with custom sisal Cocomats.  The door panels are also in good shape, with no warping, and the original door pockets are intact.  The dash has no cracks or warping and appears to have the correct speaker grill, which fits nicely.  The original leather steering wheel has no separation of the cover and feels great.  All the gauges work, except for the clock, which is permanently set at 9:12.  The Blaupunkt radio powers up and works great.  The electric sunroof opens and closes smoothly.

This 912 starts fairly easy in the first try or two, once you get the hang of it.  It has a smooth idle and pulls well throughout the rev range without hesitation.  The brakes have excellent bite with strong stopping power and no fading.  The handling is very light and responsive.  The 4-speed transmission is a delight to shift compared to the dog-leg 5-speed.  It’s easier, and there is no grinding or other synchro issues, which plague the 5-speeds.  The clutch engages properly with no slipping or signs of age.  Plus, the 4-speed transmission has the same final gear ratio as the 5-speed, which means the same rpm at freeway speeds.

The car is currently California-registered until June of 2025, and it is smog exempt.

This 912 comes with 2 keys, antenna key, original-style leather key fob, front Cocomats, original pristine owner’s manual (with photocopied one for use), original Porsche Facts brochure, restored original California black license plates (2), reproduction Vasek Polak license plate frame, 912 Rendezvous car show trophy, original Porsche COA (laminated), original spare wheel, jack, tool kit, recent documentation in 3-ring binder, 912 Registry magazines including one with article on this car, vintage 912 maintenance books, misc. Porsche books, Porsche posters, Luftgekühlt display documentation, and 912 Registry grill badge.

**Note: VIN and other numbers withheld to protect against fraud.  All numbers including VIN, Engine, and color will be provided to serious buyers.