Films: Previously A Black Sheep, The Porsche 912 Has Its Revenge
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Made To Drive | S04 E22

Previously A Black Sheep, The Porsche 912 Has Its Revenge

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When he was six years old, Peter Maas nabbed his grandfather’s garage key and snuck into his own future. Inside the shop, he found himself captivated by the shelves of carburetors and spark plugs, and old pictures of his grandpa’s TT racing days at Assen. From that moment on, Maas was obsessed with old things, and especially with old things that motored about on two wheels.
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Bruno Recchia
Bruno Recchia
9 years ago

OMG!!! Now that’s a full-fledged hipster… Beard, cap, vintage car… You just cannot get any more hipster than that!!
Seriously, if the car had kept its original engine, then I’d say it’s perfect. For now, it’s rather an outlaw, a 912 with a VW heart. As a long time 912 fan, this is an essential point to me, I don’t care if it runs fast, but I want it to behave like a 912, not a bug on steroids. But, really nice work, the body itself is definitely outlaw, but it goes well with the engine in fact. So, the car is coherent, even if it’s not an example of a 912 restoration.

Billard regis
Billard regis
9 years ago

Hi all,
There is a fantastic vidéo and 912 fan approach !
I am searching my first Porsche and I would really like to meet Julien to have advice and discuss the opportunity to restaure à 912. Could I have the chance to connect with him thanks to the site ?

Thanks In advance for your help.
Regis

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Billard regis

Hi Regis,

We can meet whenever you want in Paris. Just send me a email : julien@912club.fr :’)

Vincent Clerc
Vincent Clerc
9 years ago

Nice!
Finally a french car enthusiast featured on petrolicious 🙂
Julien, could you tell me where it was filmed outside Paris? I’m desperate to find some nice, not crowded, roads around Paris, preferably on the eastern side, where I could “play” with my 87′ e28.

Matt Larson
Matt Larson
9 years ago
Reply to  Vincent Clerc

Hey Vincent, we shot those scenes at a place called the “17 turns” not far from Montainville.

Vincent Clerc
Vincent Clerc
9 years ago
Reply to  Matt Larson

Thanks, I’ll look into that.

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Vincent Clerc

Hi Vincent,

Yes most of the roads we shoot are in the lower part of the “Yvelines”.
But beware, in the 17 turns area there is a lot of police control as it is a very famous road for bike runs :’) do not unleash the e28 too quickly ^^

Rayton Fingal Fissore
Rayton Fingal Fissore
9 years ago

Julien, cool character! Love his loose style, keep it up! 🙂

Jason Fitzpatrick
Jason Fitzpatrick
9 years ago

Another great video of a fantastic classic!

French Frie
French Frie
9 years ago

…BTW, by the way you look, I cannot but see you as a french Marcus Walker 😉 ! that’s the worst I can hop for you… becoming the 912 guru !

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  French Frie

As I was saying on a french porsche forum: I’ll have to grow dreadlocks & buy a 5000 ft2 loft in Paris 😉

and I hope to see you at our next 912club meeting Olivier.

French Frie
French Frie
9 years ago

Bravo Julien ! bien joué (well done) …
I also own a ’69 912, bought in the US, which looks quite like a sister of yours ! I used to own a ’67 SWB 912 before this one, but the 69 is far sportier, with larger rims, bilstein, etc …
I agree with you about the former black sheep reputation and must admit that I didn’t give a glance at 912s when I owned my Carrera 3.0, 15 years ago… but I was blind, and now I see 😉 … the 912 is a true classic, and is far more agile than its big sister !
I’ve never found the opportunity to come to one of your 912 rendez-vous, but I promise I will !
congratulations, once again … and Thanks to Petrolicious !

Olivier

Calife
Calife
9 years ago

Fantastic video – I am glad to see that Petrolicious made it all the way to Paris !
Julien, congratulations for keeping the passion alive. I would love to come and visit your workshop and then maybe go for a drive in another descendant of the 356, my 2004 boxster S.
Cocorico.

Joe Metzger
Joe Metzger
9 years ago

Hi Julien,
I noticed a really cool shirt you had on that looks like the you on the front of it. Are those for sale? I’d love to purchase one to wear here in the USA.

Thanks in Advance,

Joe

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Joe Metzger

Sorry Joe, it’s not me on the shirt :’). It was a limited edition quicksilver t-shirt I bought a few years back. I don’t think you can buy those anymore

Chris Pomares
9 years ago

Sorry the history can be found at Pompolo Design. Just click on the article.

Chris Pomares
9 years ago

Here is some history about Porsche’s experimentation with a four cylinder over head cam engine for the 912 and why they didn’t follow through at that time. I have one in my car and Kevin Lynch will soon.
It appears we will see a turbo 4 in the not to distant future.

haul
haul
9 years ago

1st Julian – parfait – keep on going
2nd – agree with kevin, that´s why we would all have the polo 4cyl engine . .thanks to dan it is available and a nice engine to swap with, if there woudl not be the high pricing tag on it.

3rd

concerning the road taxes . .
i can only speak for germany and at this time the law was actually according to the size of the engine.
per 100 cm3 had to be paid per year 14,40 deutsch marks if you had a normal car.
Kraftfahrzeugsteuergesetzt (KraftStg 1961) § 11
the law was done in 49 and redone in 61 and in the further years to come . .
no it is done according to the emisson of the cars, but still 100cm3:
from 5,11 euro euro 6 norm up to 37,58 euro for old dieselcars . .

in 1965 there was a new law for the duty of gettting an insurance of your car due to the accidents and else . . thats it for germany.

In racing, for example the group 2, according to FISA (now FIA), there had been the cm3 classes but with weight

Hubraum = cm3

Hubraum bis 500 cm³ 495 kg
Hubraum bis 600 cm³ 535 kg
Hubraum bis 700 cm³ 570 kg
Hubraum bis 850 cm³ 615 kg
Hubraum bis 1000 cm³ 655 kg
Hubraum bis 1150 cm³ 690 kg
Hubraum bis 1300 cm³ 720 kg
Hubraum bis 1600 cm³ 775 kg
Hubraum bis 2000 cm³ 845 kg
Hubraum bis 2500 cm³ 920 kg
Hubraum bis 3000 cm³ 990 kg
Hubraum bis 3500 cm³ 1050 kg
Hubraum bis 4000 cm³ 1115 kg
Hubraum bis 4500 cm³ 1175 kg
Hubraum bis 5000 cm³ 1225 kg
Hubraum bis 5500 cm³ 1280 kg
Hubraum bis 6000 cm³ 1330 kg
Hubraum bis 6500 cm³ 1365 kg
Hubraum bis 7000 cm³ 1405 kg
Hubraum bis 7500 cm³ 1425 kg
Hubraum bis 8000 cm³ 1445 kg
Hubraum über 8000 cm³ 1530 kg
59 750 pre unit triton
63 650 gray silver bikinitub triumph thunderbird
70 650 astralred silver triumph bonneville
65 912 slate gray “erwin”
73 914 ravennagreen “ferdl”

Kuroneko
Kuroneko
9 years ago

Tremendous piece, on what looks like a glorious car. Love that flat four thrum! A friend purchased a three-gauge 912 that someone had slathered in Porsche decals, a red velour interior, and a VW engine. It was Polo Red too. With a 2.2L available for trade of parts, we took the most viable option and made a 912/6. Regrettable perhaps now, but easily rectified. At least she was saved from the red velour…

Steve
Steve
9 years ago

Early 911 engines are 1,991cc, so TJ Martin’s “opinion” that the 912 was constructed to avoid a tax on 2,000ccc and larger engined cars is ridiculous.

D Blane Newberry
D Blane Newberry
9 years ago

Excellent. Car, video, and spirit.

Kevin Lynch
Kevin Lynch
9 years ago

I was reading TJ Martin’s comments and it compelled me to comment, and respectfully disagree, at least in part.

First, I think it’s important to recognize that many corporate decisions are made on multiple data points, not one single data point. With this in mind, I think TJ’s reference of taxation as a material issue for the 2L 911 is appropriate, and correct, but it’s not the entire story. It, along with the massive price difference from the 356 to the 911 did depress sales and put the company in a less than ideal financial condition. Those externalities certainly contribute to the birth of the 912, however, the story has more to it than just that.

Contemplation of the 911, originally the 901 before the trademark suit, began in 1958. The original design actually contemplated many motor options, one of which was the Fuhrman engine, 2L “4 cam” used in the 356. It was deemed inappropriate due to the cost of manufacture and the support issues likely at that scale. In the early 1960’s Porsche embarked on development of the 6 cylinder dual overhead cam engine. That development did not complete in time for the early road tests, which were then conducted by installing the 95 horsepower power plant of the existing 356. This is referenced in the Porsche archives if you are interested. So, by definition the 4 cylinder “901”, or rather 902, was an early consideration.

At the same time as these early road tests, Porsche also explored two viable 4 cylinder options for production, considering two parallel lines, the 901 (now 911), and 902 (now 912). They considered a drastically upgraded 616 motor, building from the existing 356SC, and they considered a native and new 4 cylinder dual overhead cam variant, building on the early work on the 6 cylinder development. Both options ran in to limitations, the former in terms of power and scalability, the latter in terms of development and production costs. Paul Hensler, later a senior engineering leader of the company, led the 4 cylinder dual overhead cam effort, which was ultimately cancelled by Hans Mezger due to cost issues. This is well documented if you read about Dean Polopolus’s efforts and kit to build a modern 4 cylinder dual overhead cam motor for application in 356s and now 912s.

One additional externality was the sale of Porsche industrial motors, which while strong in the late 50’s, dropped in volume in the early 1960’s, and were highly similar in design to the 616 motor. This left capacity and available stock as a key input, which coupled with slower sales due to price, and regulations, made for the perfect storm. Ultimately Porsche decided to take the SC power plant, detune it to 90 horsepower down from 95, and launch the 912. Sales were brisk and sustained, especially overseas, due to less necessity for top level speed and power, notably in the key export market of the United States given speed limits.

I am not sure I see the detune as a quality issue to TJ’s comments – most of the detune was in compression from what I have read – of course I do agree it placed technical limitations on the motor which remain today.

So I think the ‘myth’ is less about one perspective or another, and more about a complex set of variables Porsche considered in the face of slower sales on a very capital intensive product launch, and their contemplated and ultimate choices to shift that condition.

By whatever means, I think it’s a joy to drive, and I love the platform. Of course I love the 911 as well, and value them for what they each represent. Great discourse on this topic, and like always, awesome video, one of my favorite.

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Kevin Lynch

Thanks for this detailed answer 🙂

Juppe
Juppe
9 years ago

Very nice vid! The shot starting from 5:55 at the Louvre roundabout reminds me of the movie “The Belgrade Phantom”, in which someone makes fun of the police by driving a 911 Targa round the Slavija square in Belgrade during Tito’s Dictature.

Ronnie M
Ronnie M
9 years ago

Nice ride, Julien. Your commentary makes me want to go out and buy one myself.

Fernando Bunster
Fernando Bunster
9 years ago

Stunning video! Reminds me of Claude Lelouch’s C’etait un Rendezvous. Keep up the great work.

Matt Larson
Matt Larson
9 years ago

Thanks Fernando! Rendezvous is a great film and was definitely an influence!

TJ Martin
TJ Martin
9 years ago

Alright …. lets get the historical record straight when it come to the 912

Porsche … Did Not … build the 912 out of any altruistic concern for their customers inability to afford the 911

Porsche built the 912 because the road taxes in Germany and most of Europe back then were suddenly raised significantly on cars 2 liters and over … with the result for Porsche being a drastic reduction in 911 sales both at home and thru out the continent

So .. in order to save money on development and yet still maintaining sales Porsche … as an afterthought [ afterbirth ? ] dragged the remains of the 356 1600 cc motor out of the basement …. did barely nothing to bring it up to date .. and in fact built it more cheaply and of significantly lower quality than it ever was in the 356 [ and it was fragile even back then ] … stuffed it into the tail of the 911 … called it a 912 .. and called it a day

That … is the real story behind the 912 … and why the original 356 based motors in the 912 are such a pile of dreck and stretched beyond their capacity

Amazing aint it ? As ‘ romantic ‘as the revisionist history seems to be …. the genuine and accurate history is so much more interesting …. and in the long run should you chose to own one .. informative as well … wink wink !

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  TJ Martin

Hi TJ,

Sorry if I was wrong or incorrect about the 912 history. I had never heard of this version of the story before.
I’ll try to investigate this as I agree it’s alway better to know the genuine story rather than a romantic but incorrect version. :’)

Nate
Nate
9 years ago
Reply to  Julien Borne

Actually according to Harald Wagner (head of Porsche sales at the time) it was created because of the massive price jump (over 50\%) between the outgoing 356sc and the new 911. Which is clearly the reason the 912 outsold the 911.

Kuroneko
Kuroneko
9 years ago
Reply to  Julien Borne

You are not wrong. The view above is a complete fabrication to gain attention. The 356 line never had a ‘basement’ to start! As a 356 and 911 driver – both sold from the oldest franchise outside of Germany – the story you quote in this excellent work is true. Do not waste your time in doing any investigations… Neko.

Francesco
Francesco
9 years ago
Reply to  Julien Borne

Hello.Just saw the video and saw myself into your sensitivity towards the 912.I feel the 912 just it hits the cords of a petrolhead with minimum technical conscience rather than perceived truths via economic expense.My compliments for your presentation and for the commercial idea…and for your car.Where exactly are you located and what is the name of the shop?Having relatives between Versailles and Paris I’d surely come,if the opportunity comes,and distract you from your work.

Andreas Lavesson
Andreas Lavesson
9 years ago

In all honesty, I though of the 912 as a black sheep in my younger days. “What, a 911 with only 4 cylinders?!”. However, as I’ve grown slightly older and have come to realize that a car’s worth isn’t measured in horsepower or the amount of cylinders, the 912 seem like a very interesting car. The modifications done to this one are excellent and the video itself is, as always, excellent.

Felix
Felix
9 years ago

The same feeling here in this clip.

http://www.cinecars.nl/geel-giftig/

Keep the 912 spirit alive!!

motoring con brio
motoring con brio
9 years ago

Julien, your English is impeccable! Kudos.

wyatt seaverns
wyatt seaverns
9 years ago

Best piece in a long time! Lovely variety. Not just because I’m a black sheep owner either.

Sean Whelan
Sean Whelan
9 years ago

Noticed some stylistic differences in this piece. Was it shot or edited by someone else or are you just changing up a bit?
Brilliant video as usual, though, top work!

Ty
Ty
9 years ago

Great video! One of the best in a while.

HIP deluxe
HIP deluxe
9 years ago

912…The body of a 911 & the soul of a 356.

Kuroneko
Kuroneko
9 years ago
Reply to  HIP deluxe

Dear HIP Deluxe. Please see photograph below of a three-gauge Polo Red 912. It is in the same jurisdiction as the photograph you posted, but perhaps 25 years ago. If not for the useless passenger side mirror, I would have thought they were perhaps different cars. But quite possibly we’ve posted photographs of the same car… Is yours three-gauge? If so, is your body number under just under 700? Excuse me please, but that would be one neat internet coincidence! Neko.

Douglas Dill
Douglas Dill
9 years ago

Was having difficulties trying to view earlier today, but now all is good.
My favorite 912 is 1969, only year of LWB (Long Wheel Base) early body with flairs like Julien’s modified ’67.
The handling is definitely more balanced in an early 912 compared to an early 911. What is missing though is the wonderful 911 6-cylinder torque.

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Dill

There’s fans of the short wheel base as well as fans of the long wheel base… I guess balance & stability against maneuverability. 🙂

My next project is a 1969, so I guess I’ll see what better suits my driving ^^

But definitely, I love those 69′ flares !!

Yoav Gilad
9 years ago

Sorry for the technical difficulties… should be good to go!

TJ Martin
TJ Martin
9 years ago

Yup ! ” This Video is Private ” for me as well

TJ Martin
TJ Martin
9 years ago

I keeps telling y’all . The 912 handles better than an equivalent 911 … stuff a hopped up Type 2 motor in its tail and it’ll outrun a 911 as well …. spend the big bucks and put one of those absolutely brilliant POLO Porsche flat fours in its rump [ as Alois Ruf has with his personal 912 ] and a lot of 911 Turbo’s will be struggling to keep up .

So grab em before they’re too hot ! A tweak here … a mod or two there and you’ve got yourself a genuine 911 killer guaranteed to bring tears to many a 911 owners eyes

Best buy in a 912 ? The 912E ! Hands down . Second best being any other 912 where the foundation is good but the motor is either shot or missing … cause you really do not want the 356 motor found in all 912’s other than the E . It is … fragile … to say the least .

Nate
Nate
9 years ago
Reply to  TJ Martin

are you referring to a type 4 motor? because those were heavy and underpowered. And by the way, the early 912’s had more power than the 912e. The only thing the E model had that would be better is the galvanized body, and Im not even sure all of them were. The 1600 356 engine is a very stout engine, just extremely expensive to rebuild.

TJ Martin
TJ Martin
9 years ago
Reply to  Nate

Nate – Nooooooo … a Type 2 my uninformed site mate is the Type 2 VW motor that many a 912 owner has had the sense to replace that fragile unloved pos remains of a 356 motor with . And on what planet was that asthmatic 912 version of the 356 engine ever more powerful than the 912E’s ? Not here in the US . Certainly not in Germany , Austria or CH either .

No good sir … thou needest to get thy Porsche facts a wee bit straightened out and well removed from the world of Myth & Hyperbole . Because EVERY Porschephile worth his or her salt knows for a fact that the 356 1600 was a fragile fickle pain in the ___ of a left over motor from the past that leaves absolutely no leeway for modifying as its already on the brittle edge of its capacity when used in the heavier [ than a 356 ] 912

And err … one more thing …. Everything about the 912E is better than the previous 912’s . In case you haven’t heard or been clued into this little reality ; ” The best Porsche you can buy is ( always ) the newest one you can afford ”

But if you must …. continue to believe the myths … while those of us in Reality Land blow right past you leaving you either in the dust or at the mechanics garage … again

Very stout indeed . Ha ! I’ll be laughing over that one for at least another hour or two …

Nate
Nate
9 years ago
Reply to  TJ Martin

Sorry TJ, but there is no such thing as a type 2 motor, there are type 1 and type 4. Upright cooling vs the heavier pancake motor. If by type 2 you mean a bus motor, they are referred to as type 1 engines and are the same basic layout as the 356 engine (a motor that is capably of moving the much heavier bus). Also the earlier, lighter 356 1600 motor made over 100hp compared to the heavily emission compliant type 4 motor in the 912e which made only 90. It doesn’t sound like you understand the construction of these motors seeing as you can easily buy a big bore set of cylinders. Furthermore it doesn’t sound like you own or have ever owned one of these cars so I suggest you stop spreading misinformation. As far as the 912 vs the 912e you may have been correct in a sense that if you can’t afford the earlier/better 912, then a 912e is better than nothing.

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Nate

Sorry Nate, I should have been more specific ^^

It was off-course a answer to [b]TJ Martin[/b] about this sentence : [quote]And on what planet was that asthmatic 912 version of the 356 engine ever more powerful than the 912E’s ? Not here in the US . Certainly not in Germany , Austria or CH either.[/quote]

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  TJ Martin

Well… you must be living on another planet then !! :’)

[u]Porsche official factory spec. [/u]
Type 616/36 engine (65-69) : 90hp
Type 4 VW engine (912E – 76) : 86hp

But what do you know… German engineers have a reputation of not being very specific with numbers 😉

Nate
Nate
9 years ago
Reply to  Julien Borne

Im not sure if that comment was directed towards me but I was referring to SAE numbers and I think you were referring to the DIN.

Scot
Scot
9 years ago

Being a long time 912 owner I was excited to see the video, but I’m having the same issue with private video… 🙁

Mike G
Mike G
9 years ago
Reply to  Scot

as am i

Frank Marz
Frank Marz
9 years ago

having the same issue…can’t watch because video reads, “this video is private”

Jason Peck
Jason Peck
9 years ago

Has anyone else found that the video is set to private? I started it earlier but had to re-boot, now I can’t view it.

Rob
Rob
9 years ago

I just love the old skool rebuilds and shops and most of the the old skool craftsmanship!
Julien, I think you’ve done an amazing job on the rebuild of the 912, and I too am jealous of those beautiful country roads with the single lane twisties.
I think your doing Porsche a great service bringing these 912’s back to life.
I too have a ’87 911 that is waiting to be restored, and seeing you and your shop and you having fun in yours has sparked the motivation back into me
Thank you for that Julien.
And thank you Petrolicious for the amazing video

Tim
Tim
9 years ago

This is exactly what the spirit of these cars is about. Well done Jullen with your 912. I saw the thread on the Registryor or DDK I not sure which, so its really cool to see the car in flesh being driven and hearing more about your story.
I can relate to what you say in the film as I have just bought a 1969 912 after my sister died a unexpectedly a few months ago. It just give you a diferent percepetive on life.I spend too much time worrying and not enough time doing.

I’m really fortunate to be able to buy such a car and can’t wait to get it on the road and enjoy it. I’m planning on taking the car over to France next summer so who knows I might get to race you off the lights or share a beer or two.

All the best

Tim (Cambridge, England)

Julien
9 years ago
Reply to  Tim

I would be very pleased to welcome you in Paris (or anywhere else in France), race a few lights AND have some beer ^^
Let me know when you plan on coming over.

josh kobrin
josh kobrin
9 years ago

Very rad, Julien. Props on a solid build. Love all the mod touches to the interior. You’ve got dope style.

Kevin Lynch
Kevin Lynch
9 years ago

Fabulous video, great footage of those country roads, and love the story. I am a Porsche-file, and a 912 fan, with two in build mode at present, one fairly original, or “As It Was”, and one fairly renegade, or “As It Could Have Been”, this piece just hit the mark. Thanks for your passion.

Andrew Salt
Andrew Salt
9 years ago

A very enjoyable video. A cool dude with a cool beard and a cool car.
Unfortunately, I now want a 912. Thanks a bunch Petrolicious!

Matthew Lange
Matthew Lange
9 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Salt

Agreed, and I’m also jealous of those traffic free French country roads again.

Julien
9 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

Do not be too jealous Matthew… we had to wake-up pretty early to get those clear roads outside Paris. :’)
Most of the time, if you want to get clear country roads, you have to go much further away from the city.

Dan Sciannameo
Dan Sciannameo
9 years ago
Reply to  Julien

Like Chavenay. Beautiful roads.

Julien Borne
Julien Borne
9 years ago
Reply to  Dan Sciannameo

Some of the roads in this film actually ARE roads outside Chavenay :’)

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