Porsche's Redheaded Stepchild Turned Timeless Luxury Symbol

Rewritten Article:

Porsche's Hard-Earned Gem: The Humble Beginnings of the Legendary 912

The "Poor Man's Porsche" is quite the misnomer these days. Introduced in 1965 as a more accessible entry-level model, the Porsche 912, known for its unassuming four-cylinder powerhouse, proved to be a precious gem among sports cars.

Skepticism loomed large as this underdog stepped into the limelight, 18 months following its distinguished big brother, the Porsche 911. The 912 shared the same sleek design as the 911, dressed in timeless lines crafted by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, but under the hood, it hid a less powerful four-cylinder boxer engine, churning out only 90 PS. Yet, what seemed meager by today's standards was more than enough to deliver a thrilling driving experience in the sports car-crazed 1960s.

A Stealthy Stallion

The 912's humble power output didn't deter its appeal. It might have sacrificed top speed compared to its illustrious sibling, but it still managed to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a respectable 13.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 185 km/h[1]. Those numbers kept it more than competitive with other sports car victors of the era, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia GT "Bertone" and Glas GT contenders[1].

The Porsche for the Everyman

Ultimately, the Porsche 912 endeared itself to customers by matching the spirited performance and price point of its predecessor, the Porsche 356, providing an affordable entry point to the illustrious Porsche household[1]. The 912, in turn, garnered Porsche 3 times as many sales as the 911 in its debut year[1].

Speed Rush (1960s)

The world was ablaze with speed during the 1960s economic miracle. Sports cars were in high demand, with over 300 types vying for enthusiasts' attention in exciting shapes[2]. The fascination with speed was fueled by the race to the moon, expanding highway networks, and the luxurious lifestyles of the so-called jet setters gracing the colorful magazine pages.

Porsche as a Status Symbol

Porsche had already made its mark in the fast GT market with the model 356 and fired its sharpest arrow with the iconic 911. Yet, the 911's hefty price tag exceeded the budgets of many dedicated Porsche enthusiasts[3]. Just in time, the "inexpensive Porsche" arrived, filling the void and competing in a segment where even previously tame brands like Opel were daring to test the boundaries[3].

At the 1965 IAA, the Opel GT Experimental debuted with a 90-horsepower four-cylinder, underscoring just how far sports car technology had come in this era of boundless enthusiasm. The Porsche 912, despite its power deficit compared to the competition, made its mark at the show with the distinctive, open-air Targa concept[3]. This innovative design featured a fixed, integrated roll bar made of Nirosta stainless steel, becoming a hallmark of the 911 and 912 types[3].

Targa Takeover

Despite the revolutionary Targa concept's appeal, sales of the open four-cylinder model were slow to gain traction. While 30% of 911s were ordered as Targas, only around 2,500 of the approximately 31,000 Porsche 912s produced bore this iconic tag[3].

A Heavy Price Tag

Car ownership was a professional and social status symbol in the 1960s, and Porsche capitalized on this trend by promoting the Type 912 as "a car for connoisseurs and experts—and a testament to their lifestyle[4]." Admittedly, even the "economical" Porsche 912 came with an asking price equivalent to 5 VW 1200s or two MG B roadsters in America[4]. Essentially, the "Poor Man's Porsche" wasn't for the budget-conscious.

The 912's Swan Song

Despite its initial success, the Porsche 912's days were numbered. In 1969, the six-cylinder 911 T arrived, offering improved performance for just 2,000 Deutschmarks more than the 912[3]. The 912, however, received one final facelift, mirroring the updates made to the 911 models[3]. These modifications included a 6-centimeter longer wheelbase, a "duck tail" aesthetic, and a new rear light arrangement[3].

Cult Status

In the United States, the 912 had already cultivated a cult following, and Porsche tailored a 912 E model specifically for the US market in 1976[5]. This variant used the same VW four-cylinder flat-boxer engine as the Porsche 914, proving that even the "economical" Porsche could still pack a punch[5]. The 912 E danced for one season before making way for the new Porsche 924.

Rediscovery

For years, owning a 912 at Porsche gatherings often invited laughter, as its underpowered four-cylinder engine didn't exactly embody the sports car image[5]. However, in recent years, the 912 has been rediscovered as a design icon, sharing the same, puristic body and short wheelbase as the original 911[5]. Today, good examples of the 912 command at least 53,500 euros[5].

A Timeline of the 912

1963: Unveiling of the Porsche 911 (902 reserved for future four-cylinder models)
Auto 60 Years Ahead of Its Time: The Porsche 911 and the Legendary Ideal Line (1964): The Porsche management decides to finalize the four-cylinder version 902
April 1965: Launch and production of the Type 912 as the successor to the 356
September 21, 1966: The 100,000th Porsche, a 912, is delivered
1967: Introduction of the 912 Targa at competitive prices
1968: Introduction of the six-cylinder 911 T
1969: The 912's swan song, with a facelift echoing the 911 updates
1973: Debut of the Porsche G-series 911
1975: Introduction of fire-zinc-coated sheets
1976: Porsche 912 E and 912 E Targa debut in the US market
1976: The Porsche 924 replaces the 912 E
1981: Launch of the four-cylinder Porsche 944
1991: Debut of the Porsche 968, the successor to the 944
2016: The Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, the first four-cylinder Porsches since the 968's discontinuation, go into production

Endnotes[1] ntv.de[2] Wolfram Nickel[3] sp-x[4] Martin Heinze, Classic Analytics[5] Miscellaneous sources.

Enrichment Data:The Porsche 912, often referred to as the "Poor Man's Porsche," became an icon despite its humble beginnings for several reasons:

Affordability and Accessibility
Introduction and Purpose: The 912 was introduced in 1965 as an alternative to the more expensive Porsche 911, making high-performance sports cars more accessible to a wider audience[1]. This affordability helped establish a loyal customer base and increased Porsche's market reach[1].
Component Sharing: By using components from existing models, such as the four-cylinder engine from the Porsche 356, the 912 kept production costs low, allowing Porsche to offer a quality sports car at a lower price point[1].
Design and Performance
Handling and Balance: Despite the lower power output compared to the 911, the 912's lighter engine provided better weight distribution, contributing to agile handling characteristics that enthusiasts appreciated for spirited driving[1].
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Racing Success: The 912's success in racing, particularly in rallies and club racing, further solidified its reputation as a capable and reliable performance car[1].
Collectibility: Over time, the 912 has become more appreciated by collectors for its rarity and historical significance, leading to increased demand and recognition as an iconic model within the Porsche lineup[1].

In a time where motor vehicles principalely designed for the transport of persons, such as the Porsche 912, were in high demand due to the fascination with speed, the 912's humble four-cylinder powerhouse didn't deter its appeal.
Although the Porsche 912 shared the same sleek design as the Porsche 911, its less powerful four-cylinder boxer engine initially caused skepticism, as it was underpowered compared to the Porsche 911.
Despite the Porsche 912 being often referred to as the 'Poor Man's Porsche', it was still outfitted with gauges, similar to more luxurious Porsche models like the Porsche 718.