Among early 911s, there's a certain hierarchy: the 911T base model is the first step up from the 4-cylinder 912. Then comes the 911E, slightly more powerful, equipped with a few "S" options.
Undisputed king of the hill is the legendary 911S, a true milestone sports car.
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The "S" is a lightweight rocket on wheels that stimulates all of your senses. Greatly valued by serious enthusiasts of the marque, well-preserved examples of the early (pre-1974) 911S have become very hard to find. Many were shipped overseas to disappear forever in European and Japanese collectors' garages, others silently retreated to the big boneyard in the sky after fighting a losing battle with the merciless rust devil.
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Not so this exciting specimen: having survived for all these years, 100% rust free, this exceedingly rare model--one of just 925 "S" Targas built in 1973--will bedazzle the true aficionado with its looks and performance.
Just seventeen cars removed from the end of "early" 911S Targa production, this Aubergine Porsche was manufactured in June of '73. It's a legitimate US-delivery model, sold new in Phoenix, Arizona, and remaining with its original owner for the past 33 years.
Best of all, VIN *9113310908* features its original, matching numbers, fuel-injected, 190hp, 2.4-liter engine and several very desirable factory options: leather interior with Sports Seats left and right, air conditioning, and "RS" exhaust valance.
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Starting our thorough inspection with the trunk, we are impressed by its originality and cleanliness. Resting on the proper gray Filz mat are the folded Targa top, tire jack, and tool kit. The original Owner's Manual--including the red vinyl pouch--is included as well.
Note working trunk light.
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Few areas tell more about the condition of a 911 and the care a it received than the trunk. We are truly in awe of this car's healthy and rust free "nose" section. It's all original sheet metal; in fact, close inspection confirms that this 911S has never suffered from any rust or accident damage!
Yes, that's a date-coded FUCHS spare.
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The classic profile of the 1973 "S" included a front spoiler, wide rocker deco and anodized wheel opening trim. This particular car sits "right" and has not been lowered or modified in any way.
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6Jx15 FUCHS light alloy wheels are a hallmark of the early 911S model. Original down to the anodized aluminum lug nuts, the wheel centers are highly polished. Excellent YOKOHAMA 195/65-15 high performance radial tires complete the picture.
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The Targa top and its seals are in excellent condition, just like all the weatherstripping and brightwork on this superb 911S.
By the way, did you notice the original CAN-AM decal, still affixed to the rear window?
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Let's take a close look at the car's coachwork now. The "S" came from the factory finished in Aubergine (factory color code 025-9-2), a rich, deep burgundy hue with a hint of purple. Aubergine is a classic period Porsche color and was offered for a limited time only in the early-to-mid 1970s. The car has been repainted once, many years ago, in the original color; the finish is wonderfully smooth and glossy. There are no dings, dents, scratches, or bubbles, just a few minuscule imperfections--such as rock chips--that were carefully touched up; certainly nothing to lose sleep over.
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Door and hood fit is absolutely fabulous, with uniform gaps. This "S" features crisp, razor straight lines; there's no hint of body filler or any prior bodywork on its rust and accident free Karosserie.
The anodized deck lid grille looks sensational.
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The above photo has not been lifted from the factory brochure, it shows the "S" Targa's interior in all its glory. Here's a vintage Porsche fortunate enough to have always been garaged, away from the elements. The interior looks incredibly fresh. Leather-clad factory steering wheel and vulnerable door pockets are unblemished, proclaiming "low mileage 911!" The dash looks like it's three, not thirty-three years old. Only item absent is a radio (note the block-off panel), however, we will include a correct BLAUPUNKT, if so desired.
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Timeless, white-on-black Porsche gauges look immaculate. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g here works perfectly.
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This particular "S" came factory-equipped with the ultra-desirable Sports Seats for driver and passenger, finished in tan leather, which is mostly original and very nice. We've had the outside bolsters re-trimmed, using a matching hide.
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Expensive but worth it, the just-installed, cinnamon-colored, $1,400.00 WILTON wool carpeting tremendously enhances the interior, matching the original material as closely as possible.
Above right, a detail shot of the genuine PORSCHE Sports Seats.
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Rear occasional seats look like they've never been sat on, not even occasionally. Seat backs fold forward, if additional luggage space is desired.
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, however, there are two very important areas of the car left to inspect: engine compartment and undercarriage.
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Inside the spotless engine bay resides the heart of the 911S, its potent, matching numbers, 2.4-liter flat six power plant. Engine # *6332187* produces 190 horsepower @ 6,500rpm and has earned a prominent place amid Porsche's greatest high-performance motors. A quintessential element of this package, the BOSCH mechanical fuel injection, is still present--and in top condition, having just been serviced and re-calibrated. This one-owner car has always been tended to without regard to cost; sixteen maintenance receipts from a prominent Phoenix Porsche specialist, going back to 1999 and totalling $11,319.05, are included. According to the prior owner, the engine was completely rebuilt in 1990, about 30,000 miles ago, and equipped with bullet-proof Carrera chain tensioners, a very desirable update.
Air conditioning system has been modernized with a rotary compressor and PerformanceAire under-dash unit, producing plenty of ice cold air on demand.
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A very good sign: there are no oil leaks! Original exhaust and heat exchangers look immaculate.
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Unibody's undercarriage looks fantastically clean, with no rust or prior rust repair anywhere. From the front suspension pan to the jack spurs to the rear wheel carriers, everything is free of corrosion. No restoration worries here!
The Arizona desert climate helped preserve the car's sheet metal pristinely: there's still original paint to be found inside the wheel wells!
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Gentlemen, let's start our engine! Awe-inspiring sound of the mechanically injected 2.4 puts instant smile on pilot's face.
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We left San Buenaventura early on a sunny January day to put the "S" through its paces.
Sure-fire indicator of a well-taken-care-of 911: ALL lights and gauges work, including the clock. Engine runs like a Swiss Rolex watch that has just left the factory. No hesitation, no hiccups, just the finest music a mechanical conveyance could ever produce.
Let's dance!
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If you've never driven a fully sorted, genuine, MFI-equipped "S" that responds eagerly to the smallest movement of your right foot, you can't possibly imagine what it's like to experience this one. Back in the early 1970s, a 911S was the closest thing to a street-licensed road race car money could buy, providing the acceleration potential of a Corvette, combined with the handling of a Go-Kart!
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Built to win endurance races such as the 24 hours of LeMans, the 911S's race-bred engine, Typ 915 5-speed transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, and KONI-equipped suspension can't be faulted. Negotiating Ventura County's remote two-lane blacktop roads, you'll constantly be tempted to exceed the posted speed limit. With its flawless black Targa top folded and stored in the trunk compartment, open air motoring takes on a whole new dimension. Pleasantly, there is almost no wind-buffeting! The 911 Targa combines the advantages of a convertible's open air pleasures with those of the Coupé's rigid body construction. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it, too?
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Returning home, we understand why the 911S has gained such an elevated status among enthusiasts: it's not only a bona fide collectible, but also one of the greatest open-air sports cars the world has ever seen!
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Just released from the loving care of its original owner, rust and accident free, sporting a fantastic color combination, matching numbers throughout, original MFI engine, leather Sports Seats, A/C, "RS" skirt--and being toothbrush clean: this amazing "S" Targa is a blue chip collectible, a true investment grade automobile.
If you're in the market for an early "S", here's the unique opportunity to secure one of the very few remaining prime original examples.
Addendum:
This Porsche sold in February 2007 to a collector in The Netherlands.