Description

Chassis No. 127620
Engine No. 97052

Say a word enough and it begins to lose all meaning. Today 'Carrera' is common across most of Porsche's 911 lineup, a moniker we've all come to closely associate with the company. In fact, the current configurator shows 13 distinct 2023 911 models each with the name Carrera in it! Naturally at one point, early on, the name had exclusivity and a deeper meaning before Porsche's marketing department became attached to it, placing it on the back of most 911s beginning in 1984.

In the early 1950s Porsche had a sterling reputation for creating high-quality, jewel-like cars that were lightweight, aerodynamic, and with enough practice, ones that handled beautifully. They also had a reputation for being underpowered. Of course, a lightweight automobile does not require the power of a heavier automobile, but it never hurts - especially when the 356's most powerful engine for in 1954, the 1500 Super produced around 70-horsepower. What had initially been a fantastic way to get the company up and running, the VW-based pushrod engine had become a technological burden, especially for the racing department. After racing success with extremely lightweight, limited production pushrod powered cars like the 356 SL, America Roadster, and early 550 Spyders, it was determined that a new, thoroughbred racing motor was the key to further success and as history would show Porsche management would choose just the right 34-year-old engineer to design and create it.

Beginning as early as 1952, Ernst Fuhrmann and his team obtained approval and a budget to create 'Type 547, 1.5-liter racing motor.' This famous engine design, from its equally famous engine designer, simply became known as the 'Fuhrmann four-cam' among those versed in Porsche-speak. His creation was as intricate as its high-horsepower per liter output. With four camshafts, larger intake and exhaust ports, twin ignition, a Hirth roller-bearing crankshaft, the boxer air-cooled engine was compact and efficient, well suited to the cars it would soon be installed in. Such was the pride those building these special engines had for their work that each mechanic, responsible for building an entire engine stamped his initials onto the lightweight aluminum crankcase. These Type 547 engines quickly made their way into many special aluminum bodied Porsche race cars like the 550, 718 RSK, and RS 60/61 Spyders as well as the fiberglass bodied 904 Carrera GTS powering them to race victories on many a Sunday. At the same time, Porsche's production management would benefit from this racing success when the factory opened on Monday.

Beginning in 1955 with the 356 Coupe and Speedster, Porsche began putting the Type 547 engine rated at 115-horsepower in their production cars. Costing approximately $2,000 above the price of the standard pushrod powered car, the 356 Carrera was a fully race-bred, highly prized variant of an already rare and desirable automobile. With constant technological improvements, this exclusive Carrera model carried through the remainder of 356 production with the 356 C model in 1964 and the advent of the Carrera 2. Now in 2.0-liter form, the 356 Carrera sported the Type 587 four-cam with 1991 cc displacement and 130-horsepower in the United States. More than just a displacement increase, the new Type 587 featured, among other improvements, a reinforced crankcase, enlarged main-bearing journals, and an increased cooling fan surface. Costing $5,925 the 1964 356 Carrera 2 coupe was only surpassed by its Cabriolet bodied stablemate as the costliest production 356 variant.

This 1964 Porsche 356 Carrera 2, chassis no. 127620, entered production 15 November 1963. Ordered as a coupe in Light Ivory with an unusual Green Leatherette/Corduroy and Green carpeted interior it was quickly completed 19 November 1963. Road tested and inspected like all 356 Carreras it was delivered to Freidrich Rosenberger of Lichtenberg, Germany through by Porsche dealer Krauss of Nuremberg. According to the service information section of its Kardex warranty card, of which there is a digital copy on file, it was clearly a well traveled Carrera 2! The Kardex service section is completely full and along with two service books (Wartungsdienste I / II) noted to be filled out, the owner of chassis no. 127620 is noted to have received its 100,000 kilometer badge in 1967. A fantastic reward for the owner of a beloved travel companion!

At a point in its life 127620 received a Typ 587/1 (1966 cc) engine serial number 97052. This engine was, in fact, a factory replacement for chassis no. 120262 installed on 18 June 1962 and is one of just 447 Type 587/1 four-cam models produced. Today, as indicated by its updated 587/2 engine (GT) type stamp it is believed to have been built to that specification. As is apparent, the engine now features 587/2 correct style dual Weber 46 IDM/2 carburetors, a likely hike in compression, and power with factory built 587/2 four-cams producing 160 ps when new. The consignor agrees, stating, “the car drives excellently and easily out performs a standard Carrera 2. I can only compare it to the limited edition Carrera 2 GT cars.”

Purchased by the consignor in Italy based on the potency of the engine and the elegant color combination, shortly after arriving it was sent to Jeff Adams of Speedsport Tuning of Danbury, Connecticut. While there, Adams made a number of repairs and adjustments to ensure that 127620 remained in fine fettle. According to Adams' work summary, the consignor notes that the engine was removed from the car for a valve adjustment and cam drive check. Compression and leakdown were measured and were within normal and allowable limits. The engine received new plugs, spark plug wires, and an MSD Street Fire CD. An oil leak was detected by the distributor drive area and while repairing the leak, both distributors were rebuilt and advance mechanisms adjusted. Naturally, an oil change was completed and, at the same time, the Webers were checked with their venturis switched from 42 to 40mm. Finally, the engine was reinstalled and the ignition timing received adjustment with idle speed and mixture set. Speedsport Tuning also attended to issues with the oil system (lines, thermostat, and breather hoses), the fueling system (pumps, filter, and lines), and transmission (seals and bushings). The front suspension was checked in factory jigs with a ride height adjustment, link pin check, steering box adjustment, and alignment. Naturally, the brakes received attention with new hoses, hand brake adjustment, and fresh fluid and system bleed.

Most recently the consignor sent this Carrera 2 to Rob Ida Concepts of Morganville, New Jersey for a complete strip and repaint in its original color of 6404 Light Ivory (hellelfenbein). It's easy to understand why the consignor chose to stay with the original paint color that pairs beautifully with the unexpected green interior when the driver's door is opened. Originally built with an entirely green interior (green leatherette, green corduroy and green carpets) 127620 now features green 'kunstleder' with contrasting tan corduroy and grey carpeting and, it must be said, that with the Light Ivory painted dash and green numbered, metric VDO gauges the new colors provide quite the stunning contrast. As just one of 101 Porsche 356 C built to Carrera 2 specifications, each of these special models with their fantastic race-bred engines is to be treasured. With an uprated engine spec, thorough attention by the consignor since purchase and complete repaint, this 1964 356 Carrera 2 eagerly awaits its next outing.