1965 Porsche 911 — Where the Icon Began

Few cars capture the magic of an era quite like an early Porsche 911. This 1965 short-wheelbase coupe does more than look the part—it is a beautifully presented, thoroughly sorted example built to remind you why the 911 became an icon in the first place. Finished in its original Signal Red over black leatherette and corduroy, it pairs all the delicacy and character of the earliest 911s with extensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment, making it every bit as inviting from behind the wheel as it is across the garage.

Originally delivered to California, this 911 spent several years in La Jolla before passing to its second owner in Los Angeles. After transmission trouble and an engine failure, it was placed into storage in the 1990s, where it remained until 2017. What followed was a comprehensive refurbishment touching virtually every meaningful area of the car, including the body, suspension, brakes, drivetrain, and interior.

The body was stripped and repainted in Signal Red in 2020 following metal repairs, including work to the front suspension pan and front latch panel associated with a previously fitted front-mounted oil cooler. All the wonderful early-911 jewelry remains: chrome bumper guards, four-screw horn grilles, a Talbot-style driver’s mirror, and gold rear-decklid script. Date-stamped Lemmerz 15-inch chrome wheels with Porsche-crested hubcaps and Michelin XZX radial tires finish the look with exactly the right period character.

The attention underneath is just as impressive. Koni shocks were installed, suspension bushings renewed, and suspension components powder coated. Work completed in 2020 also included replacement control-arm bushings, tie-rod ends, ball joints, brake lines, and the brake master cylinder. Combined with four-wheel disc brakes and the wonderfully communicative chassis of a short-wheelbase 911, the result is the kind of car that makes an empty back road difficult to resist.

Inside, the cabin preserves the purposeful simplicity that makes these early cars so engaging. The seats have been reupholstered in black leatherette with corduroy inserts, while replacement carpeting was fitted during the refurbishment. Period equipment includes a Blaupunkt push-button radio and loudspeaker, Webasto heater, folding rear seats, wooden shift knob, and pop-out rear quarter windows—just enough comfort without distracting from the business of driving.

A wood-rimmed steering wheel frames classic VDO instrumentation, including the centrally mounted 8k-rpm tachometer, 150-mph speedometer, analog clock, and gauges for fuel level, oil level, oil temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer currently shows 28k miles. A replacement fuel-level sending unit was installed in 2021, and the speedometer cable was replaced in 2023. Most significantly, our Road Scholars service department completed a comprehensive $14K mechanical service in 2025. The payoff is easy to appreciate from the driver’s seat: this is one of the best-driving early 911s we’ve had through the shop in recent years.

Mechanically, the story gets even better. The replacement 2.0-liter flat-six, engine #901953, sits remarkably close in sequence to the original #901962 and was rebuilt by Black Forest Automotive in San Diego. It is fitted with a later-style oil pump, while the original Solex carburetors were rebuilt by 356 Carburetor Rescue. The cylinder-head gasket and chain-cover gasket were replaced in 2023.

Power reaches the rear wheels through the numbers-matching five-speed 901 manual transaxle, reportedly rebuilt with replacement synchros and new first- and second-gear dog teeth. The combination delivers exactly what an early 911 should: light weight, immediate responses, mechanical intimacy, and an engine that begs to be worked through the gears.

Some early 911s are destined to spend their lives parked under soft lighting. This one deserves a winding road. Thoughtfully restored, extensively serviced, and genuinely well sorted, it offers the rare opportunity to own an early short-wheelbase Porsche that presents beautifully yet still encourages you to grab the keys, warm up the flat-six, and take the long way home.

Vehicle Highlights

1965 Porsche 911 short-wheelbase coupe finished in Signal Red

Bare-metal repaint completed following metal repairs

Powder-coated suspension components with Koni shocks and renewed bushings

Numbers-matching five-speed 901 transaxle rebuilt with replacement synchros and first- and second-gear dog teeth

Replacement 2.0-liter flat-six rebuilt by Black Forest Automotive of San Diego

Engine #901953, remarkably close in sequence to original engine #901962

Solex carburetors rebuilt by 356 Carburetor Rescue

Comprehensive $14K mechanical service completed by Road Scholars in 2025

Date-stamped Lemmerz 15-inch chrome wheels with Porsche-crested hubcaps and Michelin XZX tires

Tool kit

Wood-rimmed steering wheel and classic VDO instrumentation

Blaupunkt push-button radio, Webasto heater, and pop-out quarter windows

Exceptionally well sorted and ready to be driven and enjoyed

‍