1965 Porsche 911 SWB
1965 Porsche 911
Chassis: 301709
Engine: 901811
Transmission: 901/0 #101745
Desirable first full production year, short-wheelbase 911
Period racing history at Daytona and Sebring
1st in Class at 24 Hours of Daytona
Numbers matching engine
Come with copy of factory Porsche Kardex
Specifications
1,991 CC Type 901/01 Air-Cooled SOHC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber Carburetors
130BHP at 6,100 RPM
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
4-Wheel Independent Suspension with Torsion Bars
Race history
24 Hours of Daytona, May 1967, Williamson/Drolsom, No. 61. 10th overall, 1st in Touring 2.0 Class
SCCA Daytona – 12 Hours, May 1967, Williamson/Drolsom. 3rd in Touring Class
2 Hours of Osceola, October 1968, Williamson. 3rd overall
24 Hours of Daytona, February 1969, Williamson/Drolsom, No. 47. 8th Overall, 2nd in Touring 2.0 Class
12 Hours of Sebring, March 1969, Williamson/Drolsom. 29th Overall, 3rd in Touring 2.0 Class
In 1963, Porsche brought a new concept car to the Frankfurt Motor Show. This completely redesigned, streamlined 2+2 coupe was meant to replace the well-loved and highly successful 356 series coupes. The new, six-cylinder DOHC Grand Touring coupe was assigned model number 901. Designed around the same layout as the Porsche 356 it was to replace, the 901 was larger, more powerful, and far more refined. Production soon commenced bringing the new Porsche coupe to market as 1964 came to a close, though the 901 designation was changed to the now ubiquitous "911." Immediately, the new 911 began proving its worth and taking class wins around the world. On offer, we have 911 # 301709, which is a shining, well-known, and well-documented example of Porsche history's winning traditions.
Beyond exceptional competition history, 301709 is a highly desirable short-wheelbase example built in the first full production year. According to the Kardex, this 911 was completed at the Zuffenhausen factory in May 1965 and sold to Dr. Harold Williamson from the competition focused Brumos Porsche dealership in Jacksonville, Florida. Williamson, an avid racer in his own right, raced the car in regional events across the Southeast before being approached by George Drolsom, a Porsche factory representative, who was impressed with his skill on track. Drolsom, a talented driver himself, persuaded Williamson to race the Porsche in the 24 Hours of Daytona. The new two-liter touring class was open to the 911, Williamson agreed, so the new team got to work preparing the car. Engine tuning, a new exhaust system, and regeared the transmission went into the mix. Result: this two-man team did what few would have thought possible: they won the two-liter class at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. They finished an exceptional 10th overall among a superb field of professional and factory-backed entries.
Williamson and Drolsom did not rest on their laurels after Daytona. They continued to race the Porsche and continued to perform exceptionally well. At the SCCA 12 Hours of Daytona later that year, the duo finished third in the Touring Class, followed by a 2nd in class finish at the 1969 24 Hours of Daytona and a 3rd in class finish at the 1969 12 Hours of Sebring. Following their string of endurance races, the car was sold to Dave White, a mechanic and championship-winning race car driver who admired 301709's accomplishments.
The list of owners is documented. A unique factor is that all showed respect for this 911's pedigree such that this car came to its current owner well preserved and much as raced in period. This historically significant Porsche 911 retains its period-correct look and numbers-matching drivetrain. The car is still equipped with originally fitted race seats, a roll cage, center-fill gas tank, and fender flares added before its racing career began. 301709 has just been serviced and road/track tested by the Vintage Racing Services support team to be race, rally, or road-ready. With such exciting provenance, this highly-desirable first-year Porsche 911 would be a centerpiece to any Porsche collection.
