General Description
When the ‘911’ arrived in 1964, it replaced the 356, a car that had elevated Porsche as a brand and found countless homes the world over. The eagerly awaited ‘Type 901’ introduced a 2.0 flat-6 producing around a 130hp at the time, two cylinders up from the 356 4cyl. That car would be renamed the 911 by the end of 1964 and the “911” would go on to become the most successful sports car ever built, the One-Millionth 911 rolled off the production in May 2017.
In motorsport, various versions of the 911 have won at every level including the Le Mans 24 hours. And in 1964 no sooner than the first cars been delivered they were competing all over the world; popular on the Ice in Sweden, in rallying - including famously at the Monte Carlo, and of course on the circuits, where owing to two small rear seats the cars qualified for both Sports, Touring and “Saloon” classes.
There is no better testament to the versatility of the 911 than in the case of “GVB 911D”. This special 911 was the showroom demonstrator of Porsche’s UK concessionaire, AFN and one of the first four 911s ever to turn a wheel in the country. Vic Elford commandeered the car and took part in the inaugural British rallycross event where, despite competition from the likes of the great Roger Clark in a Cortina Lotus, he took victory – In a standard road car! This car and Vic Elford would then go on to win the British Saloon Championship in the same year. The 911’s place in Motorsport royalty was already firmly cemented.
About this specific vehicle
Speaking with the son of the original keeper, this early chassis 911 2.0 was supplied new by Bob Bywater of Florence, South Carolina on 7th July 1965. Its build date two months earlier along with its early ‘301’ chassis number, confirms this example to be one of the earliest 911s built.
Dr Roland Skinner, a resident of Florence had replaced his existing Super 90 convertible with this 911; optioned in Signal Red over Black, fitted with Dunlop tyres, a tinted windscreen and Webasto panel heater. During his ownership, he would take great enjoyment from the 911. An avid and lifelong sportscar enthusiast, Skinner enjoyed would cover some 27,000 miles during his 2 year ownership.
The 911 was religiously returned to the original dealership for maintenance and each of the 10 visits are recorded on the accompanying Kardex. His son fondly recalled time spent in the back seats at the age of 10 and furthermore, the delayed realisation by his father that swapping the ’65 911 for a Jaguar E-type might not have been the best move.
Returning to the supplying dealer Bob Bywater in part exchange, the ’65 911 would next move across the border into Texas finding its second keeper, Charles Martin Jr. Charles Martin Jr had also traded in his Porsche 356 to get behind the wheel of the ’65 911 in a move that earned him $1,000 against the $4,900 purchase price in November 1967.
More recently this 2.0 911 was subjected to an extensive restoration and gearbox rebuild by Graham Everett Motorsports of Braselton, Georgia. Purchased in 2019 by the current owner for £150,000, this 2.0 underwent UK registration. Since then, this ’65 911 has been kept as part of a significant collection of cars and used sparingly.
Presenting well in its original colours and specification, this example is offered accompanying two others as a part of the YOLO collection.
Tyres
Front Right: Vredestein Sprint Classic - 165/15 86 - 26th week of 2008
Front Left: Vredestein Sprint Classic - 165/15 86 - 26th week of 2008
Rear Right: Vredestein Sprint Classic - 165/15 86 - 26th week of 2008
Rear Left: Vredestein Sprint Classic - 165/15 86 - 26th week of 2008
*Payment within 3 working days and collection within 7 calendar days.
**DK Engineering are selling this vehicle on behalf of the private owner on a consignment basis. The usual level of DK Engineering service can be expected, and viewings are welcome, however no warranty is given or implied and the sale shall be carried out via bill of sale from private owner to buyer.
