This Porsche Ski Bike from the '70s was created to fit inside the trunk of a 911.

      thegoldfly/eBay

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      In the 1960s, Honda introduced a small motorcycle known as the Z-Series, which could easily fit into the trunk of the S600 sports car. A decade later, Porsche had a similar concept, partnering with skibob manufacturer Arova to create a two-person sled compact enough to fit in the trunk of the original Porsche 911. Although few of these were produced, one is currently available for purchase on eBay.

      So, what exactly is a skibob? It’s a great question. The term is a combination of “bobsled” and “ski.” It resembles a bicycle with skis in place of wheels, akin to Honda’s mini snowbike. While skibobbing isn’t the most common method of traversing snowy landscapes, it’s not unusual to see people using skibobs in the Alps during winter. Many find it easier than skiing, making it an accessible option for those who are hesitant to ski.

      First introduced in 1970, the 212 was designed by Porsche and manufactured by the Swiss company Arova, as noted in a February 1970 edition of Christophorus magazine. When fully assembled, it features a body adorned with “Arova-Porsche 212” decals, a seat accommodating two people, and two independent skis. One ski is connected to basic handlebars, while the other is attached to the body, with both skis featuring a strut for added comfort. While it lacks brakes, the 212 came with two small skis that riders could attach to their feet to help slow down.

      Fitting the 212 into the trunk of a 911 wasn’t as straightforward as folding a 1980s Honda Motocompo (or the new Motocompacto). The initial step required removing the front ski, handlebars, and both struts, necessitating several tools. After this, the rear ski could be folded forward to align with the body. It’s likely that this process took a few minutes. It sounds simple, but it was quite clever, given the limited space of the original 911’s trunk.

      The demand for the 212 was low, and production is said to have ceased after a few hundred units were made. The eBay listing features a blue version (with orange also available), and the seller claims it has been in his family since new. Even better, he asserts that it has never been used, and it appears to be in excellent condition, with minimal signs of wear apart from a few scratches likely acquired during storage. All decals are intact, the skis are in good condition, and the seat is not torn.

      Valuing the 212 is challenging. An RM Sotheby’s auction sold one for $8,400 in July 2020, while another, showing more signs of use, sold for $2,850 earlier this year on PCarMarket. The eBay listing from Dayton, Ohio, has a buy-it-now price of $4,999.98, although the seller is willing to consider lower offers. If you enjoy winter sports or collect vintage Porsche memorabilia, you know where to find it.

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