These are the sorts of finds that stop people scrolling.
Historics Auctioneers are offering not one, but two air-cooled Porsche projects in their upcoming ‘Flight of Elegance’ sale at Farnborough International on 16th May 2026 — and both look exactly how you’d hope a genuine barn find Porsche would look.
Dusty, tired, untouched and full of potential.
The earlier of the two is this 1969 Porsche 912.
An original right hand drive, matching numbers example that’s reportedly been off the road for more than 10 years. According to the auction details, the current ownership dates back to 1985, which is the sort of long-term history people love seeing on cars like this.
And importantly, the engine is believed not to be seized.
That doesn’t mean it’ll be a quick recommission, of course, but it does make you wonder what’s possible with a careful revival.
There’s something particularly appealing about the look of this one exactly as it sits now. The faded paint, dirt and storage dust somehow suit it perfectly.
Alongside it is a 1974 Porsche 911 Targa project with later 964-inspired styling.
This one has been owned since 1996 and comes complete with a cherished registration number. Like the 912, it’s been standing for years and will need full restoration or recommissioning work.
Again though, the engine is believed not to be seized.
While purists might prefer a completely original look, somebody clearly loved this car enough to modernise it years ago, and it gives the Targa a very distinctive appearance today.
Barn find Porsches have become hugely desirable over the last decade, but what makes these interesting is that neither looks over-restored, freshly discovered for social media, or artificially staged.
They just look honest.
And for plenty of enthusiasts, that’s the appeal.
There’s also the reality that complete air-cooled Porsche projects are getting harder to find, particularly genuine right hand drive cars with long-term ownership history.
Both cars are due to go under the hammer with Historics Auctioneers at their ‘Flight of Elegance’ sale at Farnborough International on 16th May 2026.
You can view the full auction listings here:
1969 Porsche 912 barn find:
https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-224—1969-porsche-912-barn-find/?lot=19633
1974 Porsche 911 Targa barn find:
https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-228—1974-porsche-911-targa-barn-find/?lot=19632
Cars like these are a big part of why people still love the classic car world.
Not perfect show cars. Not over-detailed investments.
Just proper old machines with history, dust, stories and plenty left to give.
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