I was chatting with our buddy Tanner Foust the other day and he told me that he’d just bought a used 1976 Porsche 912E. As an early Porsche nut, I was somewhat surprised as IMHO there probably isn’t a less interesting variant of Porsche’s eternal rear engine line. The early longhood 912s of the late sixties do have some desirability despite lacking a couple of cylinders and more than a few horsepower over their flat six powered bigger brethren. What they lack in push, according to aficionados, they make up for with an unmatched handling balance — even over a 911 — due to more less weight (to quote Mr Chapman). But the 1974-1976 912E is the total runt of the 911 litter. Aside from looking like a 911 but not actually being one, the 912E was absolutely hobbled by newly mandated EPA emissions regs, plus the additional weight of ugly federally mandated impact bumpers and other safety equipment. Plus without the to-come-later galvanized body shell, the 912E could potentially disintegrate into rust if sneezed at in the wrong way. Many did. Not exactly a classic Porsche buy. So why did Tanner get sucked in?
Well, this particular car had been owned by his Dad from new. It was the car that inspired Tanner’s racing career and had helped teach him “momentum” driving on the nights he stole it out of the garage. It had been a daily driver for most of its life, and, of greater interest, comes with every record of every maintenance for every mile of its 100k-plus life. Rather than let the car fall into unworthy hands, Tanner bought it from his father, hopefully for a good price. Quite honestly I’d have done the same especially if my Dad had kept his Jensen Interceptor SP or Ferrari 400i. And now this lowly 912E has some heritage being owned by a famous race driver and all. Wait until Barrett Jackson 2022 with a gray haired Tanner Foust hosting–”I think that was my car?”
Anyway, this got me thinking and inspired our QFTW–Question for the weekend: What new car, currently on the market could possibly inspire similar automotive devotion? Is there a car produced today that I would buy and want to keep for thirty-plus years, use as a daily driver, and covet and care for in a similar way to the Foust 912E? Maybe! I’ll be answering that question next week along with the rest of the Autofiends scribblers — our new friend Jack Baruth (I’m waiting for his answer!), Jonny Loverman, Zach “Cross” Bowman, and Justin B included. So check in next week for our posts. And in the meantime feel free to throw in your own suggestions. The only three parameters we set are that the car be new-on-sale today, something you’d drive regularly, and be vaguely within your financial means—even if you’re being somewhat aspirational.
Posted By: Steve Levy | 11 Comments »
Tags: Keeper Lamborghini Gallardo Porsche 912E QFTW Question for the weekend Tanner Foust
In defense of the 912E, it’s now possible to build a Type 4 motor which puts almost 130 horses to the rear wheel:
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/type4/2056/912special.html
This means that you have 911SC performance with less of the ol’ sting in the tail. Add me to the list of Autofiends 912E fans!
I think the dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen Hybrid. A production run of approx 2 months should make this thing rarer then rare. and it’s a good comfortable Big DD with decent Fuel mileage.
I think 2008 Saturn Sky Red Line
You didn’t ask…but yes indeed, I’ll take my 1967 912 over a 911 in handling any day. It hugs the curves like crazy. I took out a 69′ 911 for a test drive and spun it like a top going into a cover due to the heavy rear end.
As far as a new car for a keeper: I’d like to think the 2003 Audi TT Turbo Quattro. Iconic look, higher horsepower, four wheel drive. Maybe?
Chris — well, technically the car needs to be on sale today. As in you could walk into a dealership right now and buy the car. But you seem like a decent guy, a good American, a loving son — we’ll let your TT slide.
First things that come to mind are all expensive, higher end machines. Audi R8, Nissan GT-R, an Aston, etc.
In the everyman price range I can see the new Challenger and new Camaro having long lives and being well taken care of. The 350Z doesn’t inspire the same level of care as the old Datsun Zs did. I doubt many of those will be preserved. We can put the Cayman and Boxster in here as they are the modern day equivalents of the 912.
Funny, all the answers I come up with are either 1-2 years away (Camaro) or 1-2 years gone (RS4 Avant, -07 WRX).
I’m thinking maybe some of the VW product line: GTI, R32, and Jetta Sportwagen. All of them are decent cars, and kind of a stretch for the typical buyer, meaning they’d be treasured possessions.
Jeep owners of any year (myself included) tend to be pretty loyal. Part of that is because you don’t want to spend a bunch of cash building another one.
I’d like to think the S2000 will soldier on into eternity. I’ve had a couple of them and they’re bullet proof.
I wish I didn’t get the two year itch all the time. That’s a car I would have liked to keep.
On second thought, they’ll probably still be selling them new in 30 or so years.
I’m thinking that a RX8 would be a good bet. They’re certainly not going to be around in 30 years. Yet they’re surprisingly easy to live with. Once the warranty is up, you can slap on a turbo to make up for it’s singular deficiency, if your so inclined.
HHmmmm……
I think the hands down winner here has to be one of the Mustang variants that Ford has been peddling. GT500 and KR are obvious choices, but how about Bullitt. Limited edition, numbered, lineage, character, goes like stink….what more do you need.
So much so that we almost bought one to keep in The Garage.