1965-69 Porsche 912
Typical asking prices*: $7,500-$9,800
Collector status: Buy and drive

One of the best ways to predict the appreciation of a certain car is too look at what’s happened to its more valuable siblings. The early Porsche 911’s have seen dramatic growth in the last five years and haven’t tapered too much under current market conditions. Just a couple of years ago, it wasn’t unheard of to find a decent, unmolested 911S for around $30K. Today, that will buy you a basket case. Likewise, the values of 911’s, 911E’s and 911L’s have gone up as S prices ascend out of reach. Even a guideline condition 911T is fetching low teens, which brings us to the 912. Until recently, the 912 wasn’t given a great deal of respect. For many, it’s considered the poor man’s Porsche. Some would even call it a Volkswagen in Porsche clothing. Fair enough. The concept behind it, after all, was to bridge the gap between its enormously popular 356 predecessor and its significantly more expensive 911 sibling. It carried over the 356’s 90-bhp, 1600 cc “Super” motor into a shape that was more modern and aerodynamic. True, 90 bhp, even then, wasn’t going to set the world on fire (compared to say a 122-bhp Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT that was very similar in weight and engine displacement). Still, it does give the 912 a nearly 70 kg weight advantage over the 911, which translates to more nimble handling. Add to that better fuel consumption and it’s not hard to see why these cars are coming into their own.