In case you had not noticed, interest in the early Porsche 912 has been growing steadily, and fine examples—especially those in original, well-preserved condition—are in demand. The introduction of the new six-cylinder 911 for the 1966 model year stunned Porsche loyalists who had long embraced the 356. Many were put off by the 911’s higher retail price and were instead drawn to the nearly cosmetically identical (and much less costly) 912, which retained a variant of the reliable and thrifty 356SC flat-four. The new 912 sold briskly.

Here is a stunning and very original 1967 912 coupe that has spent its entire life in sunny southern California. Its warranty booklet reveals that it was first sold to Mr. C. Roger Ruessler of Santa Barbara, who took delivery from Masterson Motors in Ventura, California on 18 October 1967. The retail price was $5,228.50. This four-speed coupe was finished in the classic color combination of 6609 Black over red leatherette and optioned with a Blaupunkt radio, chrome wheels and an exterior mirror.

On 30 September 1977, Mr. Ruessler sold his 912 to its second owners, Larry and Anita Banke of Camarillo, California, both of whom were very active in the Porsche Club of America’s Santa Barbara Region. In June of 1978, the engine, numbers-matching according to research on file, was overhauled by Schneider Autohaus in Santa Barbara (and has accrued just under 14,000 miles since at time of cataloguing). Two years later the car was again fully serviced.

Upon Mr. Banke’s passing in 2008, his region’s newsletter noted that he had owned no fewer than a dozen Porsches and was the region’s longest-tenured member. Anita continued to enjoy the 912 until 2011, when she eventually sold it to another Santa Barbara PCA member, who is now offering it for sale.

Each of the owners took meticulous care of this 912, and today the car shows evidence of that dedication. There are no signs of prior accident damage or rust, and other than the hood, which has been touched-up for rock chips, the glistening ebony paint measures a consistent 3.5 mils, indicating original factory application. The interior is in equally excellent condition. New tires were mounted in 2011.

This elegant coupe is supplied with a correct tool roll, glass-covered headlamps, and a set of color-complimentary Coco Mats. Maintenance documents confirm that the car has recorded 121,885 miles at time of cataloguing. It is accompanied by a three-ring binder containing its original paperwork, including the original sales contract.

Very few original, unmodified, and unrestored examples of these early long-hood 912s survive. Driven but carefully maintained over its long life, this fine example would be perfect for club tours or as a candidate for the preservation class at concours d’elegance nationwide.