8 Facts about the 1976 Porsche 912e
1. Not the Bargain they Once Were
You would think a Porsche 911 powered by a VW Microbus motor would be unpopular, and therefore cheap, but you would be wrong. This one-year-only Porsche 912 is actually selling for more than the 911 of the same era, due to the retaliative rarity, with Hagerty estimating a good condition 912 is worth $21,000, compared to $16,000 for the 911 of the same year. But while it might cost you $10k for a good rebuilt flat six, the VW based motor in the 912 can be had for less than half that.
2. 86hp is Enough?
Yes, the air cooled 2.0-liter flat four (with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection) made just 86hp after all the smog equipment was added to it, but the car itself weighed about 2,200 lbs. Originally made for the VW 411 and 412 models, the VW Type 4 motor was also standard in the Porsche 914, and later VW vans. If you feel like that isn't enough power, with readily available parts it is easy to build one with over 125hp, a nice broad torque curve, and daily driver reliability.
3. Rare Beast
The 1976 Porsche 912E was only manufactured from late spring of 1975 till summer of 1976, and only 2,100 were said to be built, all for the American market. In comparison, nearly 11,000 1976 model year Porsche 911s were built, over 8,000 in 1975 alone. The lower cost, entry level nature of the 912E likely means far fewer of them were well taken care of and survived the past 40 years.
4. All 911 Interior
Porsche didn't cheap out inside the 912, even though they were trying to make them cost less. The interior is pretty much all exactly the same as what you could get in the 911, though some pieces were extra cost options (like two of the five gauges). From behind the wheel, the only indication that you aren't driving a classic 911 is in the seat of your pants when you hit the gas.
5. All 911 Under the Skin
Except for the less powerful motor and the lower spec transmission, the 912E is the same as the 911 under the skin. That means the 912E will handle just like you have come to expect from a classic 911. Will less power, and less weight behind the rear axle, the 912E may actually seem more forgiving and less prone to sudden oversteer than the 6-cylinder 911.
6. Sub-2.0 Liter Class Legal
The car above is a rally car campaigned in Europe by an amateur driver in the 2.0 and under class. If you are looking for a race car for the smaller displacement classes, the 912E is the most modern Porsche you are going to find. Sure, the earlier 956, 912, and 914 models came in less than 2.0 displacements, but they did not have the more modern handling and brakes the 912E did.
7. Long Range Tourer
Both the 912E and the earlier 912 are excellent long distance touring cars, since they have the same 20+ gallon fuel tank, plus a motor capable of more than 30 mpg. Load up your bespoke, fitted Porsche luggage in the back seat, or on the optional roof rack, and point the nose to the horizon; you shouldn't have to stop for gas for 600 miles.
8. Fantastic Fuel Economy
There are not many classic cars that get great fuel economy, and none of them look like a classic 911, except the 912E. Look around online and you will find owners reporting close to 25 mpg in normal traffic and more than 30 mpg on the highway. If you can keep from driving it fast, the small motor and aerodynamic shape will reward you with great fuel efficiency.
If you have a Porsche of nearly any model or vintage, you can find help with maintenance and repair in the Rennlist How-To section.