Porsche 911

Supplanting previous four-cylinder units, the 911 was powered by an air-cooled 2.0-liter flat-six engine complemented by a new all-synchromesh five-speed manual transmission. Developing 130-horsepower at 6,100 rpm, top speed was quoted at 130 mph. Testers of the time were elated, with Car and Driver magazine stating in an April 1965 review, “The 911 performs better than any previous street Porsche, including the two-liter Carrera. It’s kind of a pocket battleship: What it can’t out-accelerate it can out-handle, and what it can’t out-handle it can out-accelerate. There probably aren’t five comparable sports/touring cars in the whole spectrum that could lap a road course faster than the 911.”

According to a digital copy of the Kardex and original Bill of Sale available for review, this early short-wheelbase 911 was purchased new in April 1966 by Dennis E. Vaught of Dahlgren, Virginia through the Mooers Motor Car Company in Richmond, Virginia. Finished in the unusual, but very attractive color scheme of 6603 Gulf Blue paint over a black leather interior, additional equipment specified included a Webasto gas heater, ventilated chrome wheels, a driver’s side mirror, and a Blaupunkt “Frankfurt” radio with loudspeaker and antenna. A dealership sales invoice advises the dealership took Mr. Vaught’s 1965 Austin Healey convertible on trade, while installing front safety belts, a now basic safety feature that was atypical during the 1960s.

After Mr. Vaught’s stewardship, this example is understood to have remained in the Virginia area for a significant time. More recently, the 911 received a thorough mechanical and cosmetic restoration with efforts to preserve its originality and was later put on display as a prime example of the breed at the San Francisco International Auto Show in 2019.

Presenting very well today, this car is supplied with a toolkit, jack, spare, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, and a file of documentation from new including maintenance receipts. Additionally, it includes its original sales invoice and a digital copy of its internal factory Kardex warranty card. Good 911s have long been, and will continue to be, sought after, especially a well-restored example such as this.