Porsche history · 1965–1969, 1976
Porsche 912: History, Specs & What to Know
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Porsche 912 is the four-cylinder version of the early 911, built from April 1965 to 1969 as Porsche's entry model after the 356. It paired the 911 body with a 1.6-liter, 90 PS flat-four derived from the 356 SC. About 32,000 were built, and a US-only 912E returned for 1976.
Porsche planned the 912 because the six-cylinder 911 was considerably more expensive than the 356 it replaced. In Germany the 912 cost DM 16,250 against DM 21,900 for the 911, and in its early years it outsold the 911.
When the 914 took over as the entry Porsche in 1970, the 912 ended. It reappeared once, for the 1976 model year in the US only, as the 912E with a fuel-injected 2.0-liter four.
912 history: what changed, year by year
- 1965 — 912 Coupe production begins on 5 April; 356 production ends the same year.[1],[2]
- 1966 — From autumn, the Targa body is available for the 911, 911 S and 912.[3]
- 1969 — 912 production ends; the 914 replaces it as the entry model for 1970.[1],[2]
- 1976 — The US-only 912E, with a fuel-injected 2.0-liter four, is sold for one model year.[1],[4]
How many 912s were made?
| Model / variant | Years | Units | What the figure counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 912 Coupe | 1965–1969 | ≈ 30,000[1] | 'almost 30,000' |
| 912 Targa | 1967–1969 | ≈ 2,500[1] | 'about 2,500' |
| 912E (US only) | 1976 | ≈ 2,099[1] | sources vary slightly |
More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.
912 variants and engines
| Variant | Years | Engine | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 912 Coupe | 1965–1969 | 1.6 L air-cooled flat-4 (Type 616/36) | 90 PS[1],[4] | US rating 102 hp (SAE). |
| 912 Targa | 1967–1969 | 1.6 L air-cooled flat-4 | 90 PS[1],[3] | |
| 912E | 1976 | 2.0 L air-cooled flat-4, fuel-injected | 90 PS (86 hp US)[1],[4] | US-only. |
Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 912 specs.
912 engine and drivetrain facts
What to check before you buy a 912
- Corrosion: the 912 predates Porsche's galvanized bodies (1976), so a structural inspection of floors, longitudinals and suspension mounts comes first.[2]
- Engine originality: confirm the engine type and number against the Certificate of Authenticity; engine swaps and 911 conversions exist.
- Targa cars: check the roll bar area and the soft rear window or glass window for leaks and damage.
- Title paperwork should match the chassis number stamped on the car, since 912s predate 17-character VINs.
How to verify a 912's factory options
The 912 predates the 17-character VIN, so VIN build data does not cover it. Porsche's Certificate of Authenticity (now the Production Specification) records the car's original color, engine and options as built.
Confirm how a 912 left the factory.
Every Porsche 912 predates the 17-character VIN, so a VIN build sheet cannot cover it. Porsche's own record for these cars is the Certificate of Authenticity, now called the Production Specification. The guide explains what it shows, what it costs and how to order one.
Porsche 912 FAQ
How many Porsche 912s were made?
Almost 30,000 912 Coupes and about 2,500 912 Targas were built between 1965 and 1969, plus about 2,099 US-only 912E models for 1976.
What engine is in a Porsche 912?
A 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four (Type 616/36) derived from the 356 SC engine, rated at 90 PS. The 1976 912E used a fuel-injected 2.0-liter flat-four.
Is a Porsche 912 a 911?
It shares the early 911's body but uses a four-cylinder engine instead of the 911's flat-six. Porsche sold it as a separate, lower-priced model.
What years was the Porsche 912 made?
From April 1965 to 1969, and again as the US-only 912E for the 1976 model year.
Related Porsche history
Specs, production and buying research
Sources
Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.
- Porsche 912 (1965–1969): the four-cylinder 911 (Jan. 12, 2025) — Motor1
- Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
- History of the Porsche Targa — Porsche Newsroom
- Porsche 912 specs (each figure sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.