Description
This car is Lot 151 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 151
1966 Porsche 911 2. 0-Litre SWB FIA Competition Coupé
Registration no. RHR 254C
Chassis no. 303449
Delivered new to the USA
Left-hand drive
Converted to competition specification in the USA
Present ownership since 2015
Professionally restored both mechanically and cosmetically
A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, Porsche's long-running 911 sports car first appeared at the 1963 Frankfurt Show as the '901', but shortly after production proper commenced in 1964 had become the '911' following Peugeot's complaints about the use of '0' model numbers. The preceding Type 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six engine displaced 1, 991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3. 0 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.
From the day of its introduction the 911 has been raced by the works and privateers the world over in many forms of motor sport.
'303449' was converted to competition specification while in the USA, a process that took some nine years to complete and was finished in the last quarter of 2008. Delivered new to California, USA, this car left the factory finished in Silver Metallic with black leatherette interior and spent most of its life in the rust-free Southwest. It is an early, short-wheelbase car of the type much favoured by the historic rallying fraternity.
On file is a detailed professional valuation dated 22nd December 2008 which lists the Porsche's mechanical specification in full. At the time of valuation in 2008 the 911 had yet to be raced, and its competition record, if any, is not known. The Porsche later formed part of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix, Arizona (see letter on file).
The current vendor purchased the Porsche in 2015 and immediately took the car to Porsche specialist Steve Monk (The Body Werkes) of Iver Heath, who completely stripped it, including removal of all suspension, brakes, etc. The bodyshell was then attached to a jig and transported to a paint specialist to be stripped of all paint and repaired wherever necessary, although very little work was required. The body was then subject to a cosmetic refresh in silver. The panels were then refitted and the car taken back to Steve Monk, who reinstalled the suspension, brakes, glass, interior, engine and gearbox. This extensive cosmetic and mechanical rebuild took three years or more to complete (photographs on file). In 2019 the Porsche was inspected and granted FIA HTP papers.
Road testing has since revealed that the gearbox ratio was not suitable and this was changed in September 2024. In its current ownership the Porsche has not been raced; the engine is reported as fresh and the car is said to handle very well. The aforementioned FIA papers are current but the harnesses, seat and fire extinguisher system are out of date. The car comes with a current UK V5C Registration Certificate and a sizeable history file containing a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, copy data card, old US titles, sundry invoices, etc.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
