Whenever the term “Art Car” is mentioned, a series of extravagantly painted BMWs usually springs to mind, but other marques have also worn the artistic expressions of their owners. As collectors’ pieces, they rarely come to market, but even recently, Janis Joplin’s own psychedelic painted 356 was sold for an exceptional sum. We are pleased to offer another exuberantly decorated Porsche, specifically this early 911 short-wheelbase coupé by renowned German artist Peter Klasen.

The canvas itself, chassis 300617, was delivered on 11 March 1965 in Light Ivory (6404) with a black leatherette/grey corduroy interior. The only options noted were a Webasto gas heater and a set of Dunlop 165-15 radial tires. Sold new through Baden-Auto of Freiburg-im-Breisgau to a Dr G. Gouderko, this 911 was serviced regularly by the same dealership, with its last Kardex entry dated 30 May 1967 at 44,390 kilometres.

More recently and most interestingly, this early 911 was handed over to Peter Klasen. His project, entitled “007”, was completed in 2009 and signed by the artist just above the drivers’ door. The uniquely painted 911 was shown at a retrospective of Klasen’s half-century of work at the Le Tri Postal show presented in late 2009 in Lille, France. Furthermore, this vividly adorned Porsche was included in his catalog raisonné. While Klasen is perhaps not as widely known as some others who have applied their visions to the automotive form, he has put his unique imagery on several rolling works of art, including a series of Porsche race cars as well as Ferrari 328 GTS and even a Tesla Model S.

Klasen has generated a following in what has been described as La Nouvelle Figuration. He employs a pictorial language that relies on tensions between objects, images, being, and having. The Ludwig Museum in Koblenz, which presented a 2010 exhibit of the artist, stated in its catalog that by the 1960s, Klasen was creating images that dealt with the contemporary world of media—photography, magazines, film, advertisements, and scholarly medical literature. Klasen himself states that, “My painting, related to the urban environment in which I live, must be understood as a refusal, even as a denunciation”.

Presented in race-prepared condition, this 1965 Porsche 911 is fitted with factory-optional Fuchs light alloy wheels, several lightweight body panels, a roll-bar, racing seats with competition harnesses, windscreen and backlight retention clips, tow hooks, and an exterior ignition cut-off switch. Offered is a rare opportunity to acquire not only a desirable early 911, but also one that is an expression of both Porsche’s and Peter Klasen’s artistry.