PROVENANCE
William C. Fitch, San Jose, California (acquired new in 1966)
Claude Ray Runnion, San Jose, California (acquired from the above in 1973)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 2009)

EXHIBITED
Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, September 2014 (First in Class)
Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance, Beverly Hills, California, May 2015 (First in Class)
Colorado Concours d’Elegance, Denver, Colorado, June 2015 (First in Class)
Porsche Club of America Concours d’Elegance, French Lick, Indiana, June 2015 (First in Class, First in Division, First Overall – Restoration Group, Gmund Award with 298.4 out of 300 Points)

THIS CAR
A testimony to its timeless design, the Porsche 911, now in its 55th year of production, still presents elements of the sublime original profile in its current model. The example offered here exemplifies the brilliance of the introductory design, presented in remarkable condition.

Its Kardex indicates that chassis 304427 was built on May 3, 1966, finished in Slate Gray (code 601) and equipped with a Webasto heater, antenna, and loudspeaker. Sold through Porsche Car Pacific, its original owner was William C. Fitch of San Jose, California, who retained ownership until January 1973. Claude Ray Runnion, also from San Jose, acquired it next and kept it for the next 36 years.

The current owner, who had been searching for an example of the original 911 design, acquired this car in 2009. He envisioned the car as a focal point of his collection of Porsches, and began seeking the most qualified restorer to undertake the project. Dave DiMaria’s Vintage Car Works of Englewood, Colorado, was entrusted with the project, based on the shop’s history of marque awards, including multiple First in Class awards at events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, the Long Beach Grand Prix Concours, the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, the Colorado Concours d’Elegance, the Vail Automotive Classic, and the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. Perhaps most notable is a Vintage Car Works restoration that was purchased by Hans-Peter Porsche and is now part of the Porsche Museum’s collection in Stuttgart.

During the exhaustive restoration, mechanical, exterior, and interior components were addressed. More than 600 photos document each stage of the three-year restoration with receipts in excess of $250,000. Finished in its original Slate Gray color, this subtle shade presents the iconic shape beautifully, enhanced by red leather upholstery in the interior.

Immediately following restoration, 304427 garnered numerous awards, validating the quality of the restoration as well as the attention to authenticity. It was honored as First in Class at the 2014 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, the 2015 Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance, and the 2015 Colorado Concours d’Elegance. Specific to Porsche enthusiasts, at the 2015 Porsche Club of America Concours d’Elegance in French Lick, Indiana, it deservedly swept the field: First in Class, First in Division, First Overall – Restoration Group, and the Gmund Award, scoring 298.4 out of 300 points. Along with restoration documentation, the 911 is accompanied by its owner’s manual, service book, and a concours-quality tool kit.

Presented here is the opportunity to acquire one of the purest forms of early 911 excellence. Representative of the elevated status the 911 model has earned, there is no substitute for a Porsche of this quality.