CLASS OF '65

Class of '65

The Porsche 912 celebrates 60 years with a picture-perfect road trip through the South of France.

Though it might look close to a typical air-cooled 911 meet up, not a single six cylinder engine was present for Arthur Mathieu’s recent Global Reunion gathering. Now 60 years since it was launched, this was a celebration of the 912, the 356 engined little brother to the 911. Oft-overlooked but beloved by those who know, it was only ever produced for five short years before the 914 took its place as Porsche’s four cylinder sports car.

“It’s often underestimated by those who haven’t driven it,” Arthur, who still drives the 912 he bought when he was just 18 years old, explains. “It’s such a perfect car - light, pure, balanced, fast, and precise. I was lucky enough to buy mine with my father, we did our first road trips together in it. I’ve driven more than 30,000 km in my 1965 912, named Bali. I drive her every day, she’s truly my companion on the road.”

With 25 cars assembled, the convoy spent 3 days travelling through the countryside of Provence, sampling medieval villages, stunning mountaintops, grand art collections and vineyard lined roads, all the best ingredients for a classic South of France tour. “The 912 community is wonderful, passionate, and dedicated. Many drove more than 15 hours to join us. There was a mix of generations, all united by a love for a car the world doesn’t yet fully understand.

The 912 saved Porsche at a time when the 911 was still expensive and unproven in competition. It had the hardest job of all - to follow the 356, Porsche’s first great success - and it did it beautifully. What I love most is how the 912 unites enthusiasts, young and old alike. It evokes California, the Beetle, the Meyers Manx…it’s a car that makes people smile.”

Though an idyllic drive through the Provence countryside should be plenty to serve as a 60th birthday celebration of the Porsche 912, a critical component of Arthur’s Global Reunion event is of course the “global” part, so naturally it doesn’t end here. More recently Arthur has been in Japan staging another gathering of 912 owners, an event that follows a very similar formula to the French instalment. In November he’ll be in California doing it all over again.

“It’s such a perfect car - light, pure, balanced, fast, and precise. I was lucky enough to buy mine with my father, we did our first road trips together in it."

"The 912 saved Porsche at a time when the 911 was still expensive and unproven in competition. It had the hardest job of all - to follow the 356, Porsche’s first great success."

“My favourite moment of the whole weekend was at the final dinner, when I could thank everyone who came from so far for trusting me with this first event and for allowing me to live my dream: bringing people together around Porsches and art. It was moving to see everyone so happy, sharing stories about their cars.

The true purpose of these gatherings is simple: to help enthusiasts see their cars as works of art, to understand and interpret them that way. These cars will go on to be well cared for, preserved for longer and still around to allow future generations to enjoy them as much as we do today. Happy 60th anniversary, Porsche 912.”