Porsche 911

The vehicle in detail

This 1965 Porsche 911 was built on January 22, 1965, according to a copy of the Kardex on file. An early-production, short-wheelbase example, this 911 was originally finished in Slate Grey (6401) with a black interior and Pepita cloth inserts. Additional equipment included an exterior mirror, Blaupunkt radio, loudspeaker, and antenna.

According to a letter on file written by former Porsche factory racing driver Anton von Dory, the 911 was dispatched from the factory in Germany to Volkswagen Interamericana in Mexico, before shortly thereafter being shipped to Puerto Rico in March 1965, where it was sold by dealer Olympic Motors to Nestor Nadal. In January 1966, Mr. Nadal decided to have his 911 prepared for racing, and the car was returned to the Porsche factory in Stuttgart. There, racing driver and Porsche Development Department employee Gerhard Mitter modified the car for GT racing. This work included installing aluminum doors, trunk lid, and engine cover panels, as well as plexiglass side and rear windows.

The 911 was shipped back across the Atlantic in time for the Bahamas Speed Week in Nassau in December 1966. Mitter was originally scheduled to pilot the car, but the factory communicated that he was ill and von Dory should take his place. Running entry no. 40, von Dory finished the Governor’s Trophy race 16th Overall and 3rd in the 2.0 Liter Class – an impressive feat considering many of his competitors were piloting Porsche’s new 906 prototype sports racer. The 911 was subsequently campaigned throughout Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic through 1972 by noted driver Diego Febles. During this period, the car was upgraded to 2.2-liter specification and fitted with RSR-style flares.

After its racing career ended, this early 911 remained in Puerto Rico, residing in static storage for more than three decades before being acquired by Tommy Trabue in 2001. By this time, the 911’s original engine and various period racing components had been transferred to a replacement 1966 tub, which was re-numbered 300233. Photographs on file show the car in its as-found condition, with RSR flares, a wood dashboard, plexiglass windows, and a long-range fuel tank. Mr. Trabue entrusted marque expert Roy Sanders to restore the car back to its 1966 Bahamas Speed Week configuration and livery, and the work was completed in time for display at the Rennsport Reunion VI gathering at Laguna Seca in 2018.

Superbly presented and thoroughly documented, this 911 is an important piece of Porsche racing history in the Americas which would be welcome at a number of Porsche motorsport events worldwide.

Nestor Nadal, Puerto Rico (acquired new via Olympic Motors in 1965) – Tommy Trabue (acquired by 2001)
RACE HIGHLIGHTS: Nassau Governor’s Trophy, Bahamas, December 1966, von Dory, No. 40 (16th Overall, 3rd in Class) EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS: Rennsport Reunion VI, California, 2018