Dealer engine changes

[Merv]

I know that this topic has been covered before but I thought that I could perhaps add something to the discussion. There have been cars over the years where the owner claimed or suspected that the dealer changed the engine to suit a customer request for a different, usually higher HP motor. In a case I have found in Australia the (then) dealer Hamiltons of Melbourne as the principal importers of Porsche 356s and later 911's would, on occasion, acquiesce to a costumer requests for an S engine over a Normal in 356's, and then request factory alteration of the Kardex. In original documentation I have been given this was a an 'open' process. For example, in official correspondence in 1963 to potential buyers and distributors they list current 'floor' N and S stock, prices and specifications and add as below. I also have a copy of a factory altered Kardex from the available list they provided in this correspondence.

I wondered if there are similar examples with early 911's? It does tend to muddy the waters regarding some 'matching numbers' claims.

[davep]

It is interesting to see that documented. I have only seen rare cases in the Kardex I have. Not in 911's as best I can recall. I would imagine it was more common in your area due to the long lead time to order a car to specification. I'd love to see that Kardex.

[Merv]

Dave, I have quite a bit of documentation from the time, however, much was thrown away when the dealership closed. The documents show their order numbers, VINS and engine details before some of the motors were swapped. I have the altered Kardex and the details of at least two cars where there was a swap, with factory annotation on their documents. Australia was a long way and Hamiltons did not sell a high volume of cars and would have been keen to move the stock they had. The cost of a car then was about the same as the cost of a house. I am a bit surprised this didn't also occur on early 911's in smaller markets.

[Merv]

I guess this issue wasn't significant in the USA and perhaps didn't affect many there. It does enlighten the 'matching numbers' debate somewhat.