Description

Chassis No. 301450
Engine No. 901615

From the very first production year and arguably purest designed 911 model, this Bali Blue matching numbers example perfectly encompasses Butzi's original idea of the 911 while boasting pedigreed history and professional, no-expense-spared restoration work. According to the digital copy of the original Porsche factory Kardex warranty card on file, this spectacular example was completed at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche plant during June of 1965 as it appears today, with the elegant 911 Coupe bodywork finished in Baliblau (Bali Blue) over a Black leather interior, which the car retains to this day exceptional preserved condition. An optional Webasto heater was fitted, along with loudspeaker and antenna for the dash-mounted radio. The new Porsche was slated to be delivered through legendary Parisian Porsche agent Sonauto - France's first official Porsche importer - established and owned by Porsche factory driver Auguste “Toto” Veuillet; who had piloted Porsche's very first Works Le Mans 24 Hour entries during the early 1950s. Veuillet, close with both Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche, is credited with helping Porsche to succeed at “La Sarthe” in the early years, a true milestone for the legendary manufacturer.

The new Porsche 911 had been ordered by U.S. Army Col. John Price, based in Orléans, France at the time, surely as a recreational mode of sporting transportation while the high-ranking Colonel was based in Europe. The Kardex further indicates than Col. Price would have the 911 serviced at Sonauto on a couple occasions during the Summer of 1965, and again in November that year, when the Colonel had enjoyed some 8,000 European kilometers in the car. By December of 1965, Col. Price brought his exotic Porsche 911 Stateside, first to Kansas and later to Colorado. Surely very fond of his desirable Porsche, with many good memories of European trips in the car, Col. Price would retain the car until 2012, when acquired by the consignor, a Southern California based Porsche collector.

With the vision of preserving the integrity and originality of this incredible Bali Blue first-year 911, the consignor entrusted noted Porsche restorer and PCA judge Tom Drummond to oversee a full exterior and mechanical restoration of the car to factory correct specifications. Beginning in 2014, the two-year job included a bodywork restoration and bare metal respray in the original color of Bali Blue, while all mechanical aspects of the car were equally thoroughly restored. The matching numbers 2.0-liter engine was rebuilt by the Porsche specialists at Precision Motion of Colton, California along with the five-speed transmission, while suspension, braking and fuel systems were completely disassembled and restored. The original chrome and brightwork was replated and fitted with new gaskets and seals. Receipts on file total over $165,000 for the professional exterior and mechanical restoration work the Porsche received, while further receipts indicate service and maintenance work carried out in 2023.

Today this pure and elegant first-generation Porsche 911 presents with a level of authenticity and sympathetic preservation rarely seen on these cars. Inside, the original Black leather interior exudes a warm and irreplaceable patina, testimony to Col. Price's devoted custodianship. The charming wood-paneled dashboard and wood-rimmed steering wheel remain in situ, a characteristic feature seen on these early 911s which Porsche soon after substituted for more futuristic plastic trim, while the classic Blaupunkt radio adorns the dash. Original badges have been preserved throughout, such as the correct “orange bar” Porsche hood badge. Impeccable attention to factory-correct detail is apparent throughout the car, down to the correct screws and trim, and little red washers on the vent-window hinges. The engine bay houses the original matching numbers 2.0-liter unit and original ancillaries such as Bendix Pierburg fuel pump and Solex 40 PI carburetors breathing through the original-style, three-piece air cleaner. The date coded chrome wheels match the spare and are wrapped on appropriate Vredestein Classic tires. Offered with this desirable 911 is the original service book referencing Col. Price's exciting early European years with this Porsche which he would go on to cherish for nearly half-a-Century, along with the original driver's manual in the original Porsche pamphlet and restoration receipts.

As is often the case when it comes to collector cars; the very first iteration of a popular model often remains hallowed for its purity in design, which is very much true with the first model-year 911s. This tremendous matching-numbers, factory Bali Blue example boasts exciting history of European delivery to its first and highly devoted custodian Col. Price, in addition to thoughtful, no expense spared restoration work encapsuling the cars original, preserved interior. A timeless Porsche indeed.