Key Specifications
| Spec | 912 (1965-1969) | 912E (1976) |
|---|
| Production Years | 1965-1969 | 1976 |
| Manufacturer | Porsche AG, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen | Porsche AG, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen |
| Body Styles | 2-door coupe, 2-door Targa | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Rear engine, rear-wheel drive | Rear engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Chassis | Unitary steel monocoque (shared with 911) | Unitary steel monocoque (911 G-body) |
| Wheelbase | 2,211 mm (SWB, 1965-1968) / 2,268 mm (LWB, 1969) | 2,271 mm |
| Overall Length | 4,163 mm | 4,291 mm |
| Overall Width | 1,610 mm | 1,610 mm |
| Overall Height | 1,320 mm | 1,320 mm |
| Front Track | 1,337 mm (SWB) / 1,362 mm (LWB) | 1,372 mm |
| Rear Track | 1,317 mm (SWB) / 1,342 mm (LWB) | 1,354 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 960 kg (Coupe) / 1,010 kg (Targa) | 1,070 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 62 L | 80 L |
| Boot/Luggage Capacity | ~130 L (front luggage compartment) | ~130 L (front luggage compartment) |
| Drag Coefficient (Cd) | 0.382 | ~0.40 (impact bumpers) |
Engine Specifications
Type 616/36, Porsche 912 (1965-1969)
| Spec | Value |
|---|
| Configuration | Flat-4 (horizontally opposed), air-cooled |
| Displacement | 1,582 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 82.5 mm x 74.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 118 Nm (87 lb-ft) @ 3,500 rpm |
| Fuel System | Twin Solex 40 PII-4 carburettors |
| Ignition | Points/condenser, distributor (Bosch) |
| Block Material | Aluminium alloy (magnesium alloy case halves) |
| Cylinder Material | Cast iron (Biral, iron liner cast into aluminium fin muff) |
| Head Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Valvetrain | OHV, single camshaft (centrally mounted), pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Camshaft Drive | Bevel gears (from crankshaft) |
| Cooling | Air-cooled, engine-driven axial fan |
| Lubrication | Dry sump (engine-mounted pump) |
| Oil Capacity | 3.5 L (with strainer clean) |
| Redline | 5,800 rpm |
| Engine Weight | ~110 kg |
Type 4 (VW), Porsche 912E (1976)
| Spec | Value |
|---|
| Configuration | Flat-4 (horizontally opposed), air-cooled |
| Displacement | 1,971 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 94.0 mm x 71.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 7.6:1 |
| Power | 86 hp (63 kW) @ 4,900 rpm |
| Torque | 137 Nm (101 lb-ft) @ 3,500 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection |
| Ignition | Electronic ignition, distributor (Bosch) |
| Block Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Cylinder Material | Cast iron |
| Head Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Valvetrain | OHV, single camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Camshaft Drive | Gear-driven |
| Cooling | Air-cooled, engine-driven axial fan |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Oil Capacity | 3.0 L (with filter) |
| Redline | 5,500 rpm |
Transmission Options
912 (1965-1969)
| Transmission | Type | Gears | Notes |
|---|
| Type 901/1 | Manual | 5-speed | Standard, dog-leg first gear pattern |
| Type 901 (4-speed) | Manual | 4-speed | Available in some markets |
| Sportomatic (Type 905) | Semi-automatic | 4-speed | Available from 1968. Torque converter with vacuum-operated clutch |
912E (1976)
| Transmission | Type | Gears | Notes |
|---|
| Type 925/00 | Manual | 5-speed | Standard |
| Sportomatic (Type 925/10) | Semi-automatic | 4-speed | Optional |
Manual Gearbox Ratios (5-speed, Type 901/1)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|
| 1st | 3.091 |
| 2nd | 1.778 |
| 3rd | 1.217 |
| 4th | 0.926 |
| 5th | 0.758 |
| Reverse | 3.127 |
| Final Drive | 4.428:1 (ring and pinion) |
Manual Gearbox Ratios (5-speed, Type 925/00, 912E)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|
| 1st | 3.181 |
| 2nd | 1.833 |
| 3rd | 1.261 |
| 4th | 0.962 |
| 5th | 0.759 |
| Reverse | 3.325 |
| Final Drive | 4.428:1 |
Suspension
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|
| Type | Independent, MacPherson strut (912) / Torsion bar (912 actual: longitudinal torsion bars, trailing arms) | Independent, semi-trailing arms |
| Springs | Longitudinal torsion bars | Transverse torsion bars |
| Dampers | Telescopic hydraulic (Boge) | Telescopic hydraulic (Boge) |
| Anti-roll Bar | Yes, 13 mm (912) / 15 mm (912E) | No (912) / Optional (912E) |
| Steering Type | ZF rack and pinion, unassisted | - |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock | 2.7 | - |
| Turning Circle | 10.2 m | - |
Brakes
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|
| Type (912) | Solid disc (ATE) | Solid disc (ATE) |
| Disc Diameter (912) | 282 mm | 285 mm |
| Type (912E) | Solid disc | Solid disc |
| Disc Diameter (912E) | 282 mm | 290 mm |
| Booster | Vacuum-assisted (single circuit, 912) / Dual circuit (912E) | - |
| ABS | Not available | - |
| Handbrake | Mechanical, rear drums (integral with rear disc) | - |
| Model | 0-100 km/h | Quarter Mile | Top Speed |
|---|
| 912 Coupe (5-speed) | 11.5 s | ~18.0 s @ 122 km/h | 185 km/h |
| 912 Targa (5-speed) | 12.0 s | ~18.5 s | 180 km/h |
| 912E (5-speed) | 13.5 s | ~19.0 s | 175 km/h |
Fuel Economy (approximate)
| Model | L/100 km (combined) |
|---|
| 912 Coupe (5-speed) | 9-11 |
| 912 Targa (5-speed) | 9-12 |
| 912E (5-speed) | 10-12 |
Wheels and Tyres
| Variant | Standard Wheel | Standard Tyre |
|---|
| 912 (1965-1967) | 4.5J x 15 steel | 165HR15 |
| 912 (1968-1969) | 5.5J x 15 steel or Fuchs alloy | 165HR15 |
| 912E | 6J x 15 Fuchs alloy | 185/70VR15 |
Common upgrades: 5.5J or 6J x 15 Fuchs forged alloy wheels with 185/70R15 or 195/65R15 tyres. The Fuchs five-spoke alloy is the definitive Porsche wheel and suits the 912 beautifully. Wider wheels (7J) are not recommended without arch modifications.
Electrical
| Spec | 912 (1965-1967) | 912 (1968-1969) | 912E (1976) |
|---|
| System Voltage | 6V (negative earth) | 12V (negative earth) | 12V (negative earth) |
| Generator/Alternator | 6V generator (180W) | 12V generator (360W) or alternator | 12V alternator (770W) |
| Battery | 6V, 84Ah | 12V, 45Ah | 12V, 63Ah |
| Spark Plugs | Bosch W225T1 | Bosch W225T1 | Bosch W175T30 |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.6 mm | 0.6 mm | 0.7 mm |
| Points Gap | 0.35 mm | 0.35 mm | N/A (electronic ignition) |
| Ignition Timing | 5 degrees BTDC @ idle (static) | 5 degrees BTDC @ idle (static) | 7 degrees BTDC @ idle (vacuum disconnected) |
| Firing Order | 1-4-3-2 | 1-4-3-2 | 1-4-3-2 |
Valve Clearances (cold)
| Valve | 912 | 912E |
|---|
| Intake | 0.10 mm (0.004 in) | 0.10 mm (0.004 in) |
| Exhaust | 0.10 mm (0.004 in) | 0.15 mm (0.006 in) |
Fluid Capacities
| Fluid | 912 | 912E |
|---|
| Engine Oil (with strainer/filter) | 3.5 L | 3.0 L |
| Manual Gearbox | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Fuel Tank | 62 L | 80 L |
| Brake Fluid Reservoir | ~0.25 L | ~0.35 L |
Service Intervals
| Service Item | Interval |
|---|
| Engine oil and strainer/filter | 3,000-5,000 km |
| Valve clearance adjustment | 5,000-10,000 km |
| Spark plugs | 10,000-15,000 km |
| Points and condenser (912 only) | 10,000 km |
| Carburettor synchronisation (912 only) | 10,000 km |
| Brake fluid | Every 2 years |
| Gearbox oil | 30,000 km |
| Full inspection (brakes, suspension, body) | Annually |
Engine Oil Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Recommended Grade (912) | 20W-50 mineral oil |
| Recommended Grade (912E) | 20W-50 mineral or 15W-40 |
| Alternative (cold climates) | 15W-40 mineral |
| API Rating | SF or higher |
| Note | Mineral oil recommended for original seals. ZDDP-containing oil recommended for flat-tappet camshaft |
Production Numbers (approximate)
| Model | Total Production |
|---|
| 912 Coupe (1965-1969) | ~28,500 |
| 912 Targa (1967-1969) | ~1,800 |
| 912 Total | ~30,300 |
| 912E (1976, US only) | ~2,099 |
| Grand Total (all 912 variants) | ~32,400 |
Production by Year
| Year | 912 Coupe | 912 Targa | Total |
|---|
| 1965 | ~6,440 | - | ~6,440 |
| 1966 | ~8,700 | - | ~8,700 |
| 1967 | ~5,150 | ~750 | ~5,900 |
| 1968 | ~4,700 | ~550 | ~5,250 |
| 1969 | ~3,500 | ~500 | ~4,000 |
Identification
Chassis number location: Stamped on a plate on the left-hand side of the dashboard (visible through the windscreen), on the body structure in the front luggage compartment, and on the compliance plate (door jamb).
Engine number location: Stamped on the engine case, near the crankcase breather on the left side of the engine (when viewed from the rear).
Chassis number format:
- 912 (1965): 350001-356xxx
- 912 (1966): 356xxx-365xxx
- 912 (1967): 460001-46xxxx
- 912 (1968): 12800001-128xxxxx
- 912 (1969): 129000001-129xxxxxx
- 912E (1976): 912620xxxx
Engine number format:
- 912 engine: 6-digit number with Type 616/36 designation
- 912E engine: VW Type 4 engine number
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity: Available from the Porsche Museum, Stuttgart. Confirms original specification, colour, engine number, transmission number, and delivery details. Cost approximately $200 AUD.