You might recall that I have been restoring a ’67 912. It is actually the third 912 I have owned. I had one in the early 90s. Then about a year ago I decided that I wanted another one. Something I could keep forever. A driver.

I found a ’65 for sale in Indiana, and bought it site-unseen. When I got it home I realized that it was far more rusty than I suspected. It was simply more project than I wanted. I hated to sell the car because it was built in July ’65, which is a very early car in the overall 912 production run. However, it just wasn’t what I was looking for. Fortunately, I was able to sell the car for what I had in it and went looking again.

In March of this year, I found a ’67, and went to look at it. The car was in much better shape than the ’65. However, it still needed considerable metal work. I bought it anyway, and sent it to Virginia to have the rust repaired.

It is turning into a long-term project. I think that by the time the shop gets done with the metal work, it could easily be 2021. And then the car has to be painted, reassembled, and the bugs worked out. I’m excited about the project. But, I want something to drive. Now.

I have the ’72 914 that went through a semi-restoration. I stripped the car to bare metal, repainted it its original silver, built a new engine for it, and have been assembling it. But, my heart isn’t in it. I bought the car because it was in great shape and it was priced right. While I love Porsche silver, and I love 914s, it doesn’t suit me quite right anymore.

The 914 only has two seats. And while I typically drive my cars alone or with just my wife, there isn’t a lot of elbow room. Then there is the fact that it sits so low that getting my wife to go on long trips in the 914 will be difficult. I can hear her now: “Where will Cameron (her dog) sit?”

All of these reasons were why I went looking for a 912 to begin with. I think it is a better touring car than the 914. And at this point in my life I want to drive. Drive long distances. Now.