On offer is a numbers-matching 1968 Porsche 911 Targa, a 2.0 liter Normal, no letter designation, finished in 6808 burgundrot, or burgundy red, exterior, with a black leatherette interior. Well optioned from the factory with a lockable leather steering wheel, oil tank instruments like the 911S, additional vent blower, ventilated chrome wheels, bumper horns front & rear, antenna, loudspeaker, noise suppression, and headrests, of greater interest is the inclusion of a 5-speed transmission optioned with the Nurburgring gearset.
This 911 was completed at the factory on April 26, 1968, and shipped on May 31, 1968 to PCAC in Teaneck, NJ, for Mr. William Ealer of Williamsport, PA. Mr Ealer was likely the only driver of the car, as after 67,974 miles, the engine seized and the car was parked and not driven again until completion of this restoration.
In the interim, it passed through a series of owners that included SCCA and TransAm driver Jim Netterstrom; Gary Wigglesworth, owner of Translog, a Porsche specialty shop in York, PA; and finally Justin Chambers, who purchased the car from the Wigglesworth estate after Mr Wigglesworth passed in 2006. I purchased the car from Mr. Chambers in July 2014.
Translog handled the restoration, with Tony Miller managing disassembly, engine rebuild, and final reassembly and testing. The engine was rebuilt as a 2.2 liter, with Dougherty DC-30 (~E profile) cam and S pistons and cylinders, as well as the Carrera chain tensioner upgrade. Click through below to the dyno results which show a respectable 153 hp at the crank, and 163 lb-ft. Suspension rebuild included the upgrade to Turbo tie rods and dual-circuit brakes that were introduced later that model year. The car has logged break-in miles only to this point and should be considered a turn-key restoration.
Ed Penwell, then with Translog, handled bodywork and paint after the car was media-blasted to bare metal. Restoration required substantial rust repair including both inner and outer rockers as well as replacement of the torque tube. Besides lots of rust, the body had remained relatively straight with all original panels intact with the exception of the front left fender. Upon completion, the car was finished in a base coat of Glasurit #6808, burgundrot, followed by several coats of clear.
The interior was restored only as necessary and still shows some patina. The rear deck panel and collar, and targa bar surround were restored by Pruitt & Sons, in Glen Rock, PA, and the leather-wrapped wheel required minor restitching and color retouch. But the seats, doors and rear side panels are original to the car. Palo Alto Speedometer handled restoration of all gauges. The top and soft back window—and the Weber carbs, for that matter—were handled by Dan Petchel at Cars, Inc.
But it’s the transmission that’s of particular interest. The code for that option is listed on both the COA and Kardex as 901/74, which doesn’t appear in any of the widely available 911 documentation. This transmission is s/n 9284103, the third car for that particular 901/74 sub-series, and I could locate only one other car, s/n 9284109, or the ninth car in that series, and mentioned in a thread here. Porsche changed from aluminum transmission cases to magnesium during the 1968 model year and, with it, a code change to 901/79.
While out of the car, the transmission was gone through and proper gears and 904 main shaft confirmed. In terms of restoration and repair, only the 1st gear synchro and dog teeth were replaced for minor wear as well as the pinion shaft bearing in the intermediate plate for a minor instance of galling before reassembly and re-installation.
Interior restoration was held until after completion of the engine break-in, and is the only work remaining, along with some minor fettling and refinement, to bring this car up to #1 concours show condition. While the engine rebuild ups displacement and performance, the engine bay sports the proper carbs, air cleaner, stickers, etc to retain the original 1968 factory look. With the body, engine and mechanical restoration complete, this car shows as new. It’s an excellent opportunity to own a rare early 911 with an even rarer option set.
As pictured, with 15x5.5 Fuchs wheels in unrestored original condition, and new 185/65-15 Vredestein Sprints for $xxx,xxx. The car can also be purchased with date-matched and date-appropriate chromed steel wheels for $xxx,xxx.
More pics here
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Originally Posted by camarilla
