By the mid-1960s, sales of the Porsche 356 were in decline. The model series, first designed in the early 1950s, was in need of a popular successor. In response, Porsche came up with the 901, a car that would go on to be called the 911.
With driving dynamics in mind, the 901 had initially been designed and engineered as a coupé, with no plans for a convertible – a body style that proved hugely popular in the USA. In 1964, under pressure from Porsche salesmen in the States, Porsche hurried back to the drawing board and shipped a 901 prototype to Karmann, one of the best-known German coachbuilders. With the roof sliced off, the folding canvas substitute proved problematic and Porsche settled instead for a part modified coupé with removable roof and window panels, which came to be the Targa in 1967.
With the prototype 901 convertible wrapped up and put into storage, it would be another two decades before the marque would put a full convertible into production. Now obsolete, the 901 prototype – the only one of its kind – was sold by the company in 1967 to a German collector and racing driver Manfred Freisinger after he negotiated a deal to save the car from destruction.
Originally fitted with a 2-litre flat six, the car underwent an engine rebuild in the early 2000s before the car was shown at the prestigious Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, California in 2013 to celebrate 50 years of the Porsche 911. This unique car is finished in Signal Red with black leatherette interior with houndstooth checked fabric seat inserts.
This car will be sold at auction by RM Sotheby’s at the Paris Sale on February 8, 2017. Click here for more details.
Guide Price: £720,000 – £850,000
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