Air-cooled engines may seem anachronistic these days, but for those who’ve experienced them they tend to spark passion bordering on obsession.

For Maria, who had been exclusively driving contemporary Porsches for two decades, co-piloting a friend’s 356 on one of Los Angeles’s most famous canyon roads was a life-changing event. According to Maria, “…I lost my mind. I knew that I must have this!”

Deciding that the 912 was the right model for her, she started the search for a car. An online listing for a 1969 912 from a Utah-based Porsche & VW enthusiast caught her eye right away; Maria knew that this was the one.

She’s had some work done on the car, but keeping it period-correct is a priority. “I think that Porsches are engineered exactly as they were meant to be and there's nothing that I would change. I do love a period correct car.”

Maria’s other priority is, of course, driving, which she has done a lot of in Lil’ Sweeps, making many friends across the LA enthusiast community (and online).

Find out what earned her 912 that name, and where it’s been featured in print, in the full profile on Bramo.

The 912 was introduced in 1965 to bridge the price gap between the 356 and the 911 models. To achieve this, Porsche effectively took the 911 and swapped in the 1.6L 4-cylinder power plant from the 356 SC. According to the company, the engine’s output was reduced to 90 PS (Pferdestärke) in order to increase torque and stability.

In addition, the 1969 model year marks the 911/912 platform’s transition to a longer wheelbase (LWB) in order to improve stability and reduce oversteer. The wheelbase increased from 2,211mm to 2,268mm. Rear trailing arms were also lengthened, torsion bars were revised, and the rear suspension mountings were updated.

There’s something inexplicably cool about pre-merger AMGs. Now think pre-merger AMG wagon, and you’re in truly rarefied territory. That made seeing this 280TE street parked in Pasadena an unexpected treat.

If you know anything about it—or if you’re the owner—please drop us a line at [email protected]

Have you had a recent sighting you want to share? Post it in our new community channel!

Springtime marks an uptick in car gatherings and for Porsche enthusiasts in Southern California, Air|Water is the can’t miss event. Hundreds of air- and water-cooled Porsche will be on display at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, April 25th.

Owners can enter their vehicles at the link below, which also includes information on buying tickets. Hope to see you there!

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