The 911 L was limited to just 499 examples built in 1968 especially for the American market. The ‘L’ designation, for ‘Luxe,’ was essentially the European premier ‘S’ model fitted with an air-pump equipped engine to meet the safety and emissions regulations exacted stateside. Easily recognizable for its small side-marker lights, which are not integrated into the wrap-around tail lights or parking light clusters, the 911 L featured the 1,991-cc flat-six engine, producing 130 hp and a top speed of 131 mph. This model was the most expensive Porsche in the American market with a sticker price $600 over previous offerings. It became an immediate success and instantly collectible as a one-year-only production model.

This superb 911 L is a rare matching-numbers example, as verified by the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche. Chassis no. 11805291 was completed at the Porsche factory on 2 April 1968 in Light Ivory (Code 6804) with black leatherette interior, as it is offered today. It was also equipped with the five-speed manual transmission and optioned with a Becker radio, loudspeaker, antenna, driver and passenger headrests, tinted rear window, and fitted with Dunlop tires.

Research suggests that this L has had only three owners from new, the third and current being a highly respected Porsche collector in New Jersey. Approximately eight years ago the car was entrusted to Gene Kirschner, a New Jersey marque specialist, for a sympathetic restoration. Autohaus of New Jersey completed the mechanical work, while sports car specialist Tuxedo Motorsport of Tuxedo Park, New York, attended to the cosmetics. For the most part the interior was in excellent condition, showing the gentle wear of a well-loved car, which had never been raced or rallied, and showed less than 94,000 miles on the odometer. The seats were refinished in the factory-correct black leatherette, and the exterior was repainted in its original Light Ivory. Otherwise, this 911 L remains largely original, thus preserving the integrity of a superbly maintained example.

This rare Porsche coupe comes with the original tool kit and owner’s manual. Recently serviced, with new tires, belts, and a valve adjustment in preparation for its maiden rally (though the owner was unable to participate at the eleventh hour), this 911 L is primed and prepped for its next adventure, be it an organized rally, or simply eager exploration of the road less traveled.