Amazing barn find and a journey of discovery

[210bhp]

And the very first exhibit through the entrance was Eve.





Regards
Mike

[Lightweight_911]

.

Good to get an update .

I haven't been to Autoworld but I have been to the Parc du Cinquantenaire & seen that arch (& visited the Art & History museum) - all very impressive during the daytime so can imagine even more so at night.

Waiting for the next installment ...

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[hot66]

When was this Mike ?

[Nine One One]

When was this Mike ?

Believe from the previous page.........last year

Very kindly, the owner invited the two of us to see Eve on display to the public for the first time at the Autoword display of all things Porsche in Brussels in December 2023.

[210bhp]

Yes, almost a year ago James.

Regards
Mike

[Hugo 356]

Anyone care to summarise the current thinking on this car?

What they have found is a factory prototype LWB. The 32001x series was a set of bodies produced to evaluate the long wheel base to be used from 1969 onwards. Later the surviving bodies were renumbered with proper 1969 VIN's. So far three such cars are known to have been renumbered, and two are in known hands. 320010 became 911S 119300001, 320011 became 911S 119300002, 320012 became 911E 119200001. It is suspected that 320013 was also made. 320012 was apparently LHD originally, but when the factory disposed of it, the customer asked for a RHD conversion. It went through several notable hands in short order.

320013 has broken cover. Ex-Mezger, ex-Piëch

https://www.aguttes.com/lot/167328/3054 ... ch-et-hans

[210bhp]

That’s a very nice addition to this thread.

Regards
Mike

[bjmullan]

Taken from the website:

Porsche 911 2.0 S - Prototype - ex-Ferdinand Piëch and Hans Mezger – 1968
Chassis No. 320013

The Porsche 911 S that we present here is not an ordinary car, under its burgundy red dress are hidden many subtleties and innovative details that foreshadowed the future of the 911 The first detail concerns its chassis number, which does not correspond to the usual numbering. The second concerns the original registration certificate which states that this car was put into circulation on May 31, 1968 in the name of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche KG. These two points are surprising and suggest that we must focus on the technical characteristics of this car. During the first restoration of the car, its owner at the time found himself faced with a headache because the spare parts did not fit in place on his car. After multiple checks, it turned out that this car had a chassis and a wheelbase longer than normal. Modification that will be visible from 1969 in order to improve the road holding of the 911.
The other specific features of our model are found under the hood. Its 2.0-liter engine is paired with a mechanical injection system developed by the renowned engineer Hans Mezger. This is the first road engine equipped with this technology. Made entirely of aluminium, this more efficient system was also 16 kg lighter, thus reducing the car's oversteer. It was also found in the 911 2.7 RS and the 2.7 MFI. In addition to the injection system, the ignition system is also specific to this car; it features the first high-performance capacitor ignition system, which is more efficient, especially at high revs. Given the increased performance, it features ventilated discs and an oil cooler, which would become standard on future 911s. Finally, some specific features include the rear wiper blades, power windows, and a starter located on the handbrake. In conclusion, this atypical car built in 1968 has many characteristics that can be found on the 1969 model.

This pre-production car was certainly used for the homologation of the new specifications, but it was most importantly Ferdinand Piëch's company car. He was then director of the testing and development department. He thus directly and significantly contributed to the testing of this new technology with a view to its installation on future 911s. The story doesn't end there, as in 1969, this car was sold by Porsche to Hans Mezger himself, who used it to commute to the factory until 1972. The story also tells of him driving it to Le Mans in 1970 to witness the victory of the 917, a prototype he himself had developed. This 911 S is presented today in concours condition, having undergone a high-quality restoration worthy of its history. Accompanied by its original registration document and various copies of period documents, nothing is to be expected on this car, which is ready to hit the road.

An exceptional car in terms of its technical capabilities and history, it showcases figures who have become essential stars of the Porsche universe: Ferdinand Piëch and Hans Mezger. We can therefore affirm that it deserves its place in the finest collections, if not within the Zuffenhausen Museum itself.

[jeremyg]

Luckily this recent post has brought this magnificent strand to my attention! Well done Mike and Brendan for the sleuthing and tale telling. It’ll be interesting to see what the Aguttes car makes. Mind you I reckon the Hans Mezger autograph on the filler cover is a bit gauche..

[210bhp]

The common restoration theme with the incorrect rear slam panel rears its ugly head again.

Regards
Mike

[jeremyg]

And I see ‘your’ car is featured in the new edition of Octane, where you and Brendan are rightly credited as ‘ Porsche adventurists’. And it’s now on sale POA at Hexagon Classics.

[Gary71]

Duplicate

[Gary71]

The common restoration theme with the incorrect rear slam panel rears its ugly head again.

Regards
Mike

Maybe it was a very early prototype of a ‘73 panel

[hot66]

The common restoration theme with the incorrect rear slam panel rears its ugly head again.

Regards
Mike

Maybe it was a very early prototype of a ‘73 panel

Prototype of a Mid 73 MY panel . Can’t remember exactly when that was introduced, maybe March ‘73 ?

[210bhp]

It’s amazing how a story becomes diluted and inaccurate as time go by and passed from journalist to journalist. That Octane article has errors which will no doubt get carried forward and reported as fact.

Regards
Mike