1973 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa

For 1972, all Porsche 911 variants received the 2.4-litre engine, with the 911 "S" representing the pinnacle of Porsche's sports car programme of the time, bettered only in performance terms by the 2.7RS. Today, a 1973 model represents the last year of lightweight cars before the advent of impact bumpers, and for many purists, the '2.4' is the last 'old-school' 911 and therefore all the more collectable.

The 1973 'S' was fitted with the final development of the free-revving 2.4-litre, type 911/53 engine producing 190bhp, resulting in 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 144 mph. It also benefited from a revision to the suspension pick-up points and of Koni dampers, plus the transmission was enhanced with the addition of the new 908 race car-derived 915 gearbox, which was stronger and offered an improved gear change. The 'aero' package was improved by fitting a front valance spoiler which reduced front-end lift. Coupled with Porsche's total domination of the World Sportscar Championship and Steve McQueen's endorsement in the film, 'Le Mans', they could do no wrong with the now iconic 1973 911 S and its derivatives.

'In these cars, we see the fruits of all the development effort to produce an unmatched high-performance sports car. The classic mainstream production 911 is a 2.4.' - Peter Morgan, 'Original Porsche 911'.

The car presented here is a 1973 (F-series) 911 S 2.4 Targa, an extremely rare right-hand drive, C16 (UK-market) delivered example. There was a total of only 925 Targa "S" cars built in 1973 (the only year that RHD pre-impact Targas were built) with conceivably just 73 RHD examples for the whole worldwide market, with less than 50 of these coming to the UK, now with only possibly 10-12 cars remaining here - making it feasibly one of the rarest early 911s of them all.

This car was delivered new through "Falcon Works of Middlesex" (Porsche Cars GB Ltd.) on the 26th April 1973 and has a wonderfully traceable ownership history right up until the present day. It is a matching-numbers example (confirmed by inspection and research), having both chassis and engine numbers that fit perfectly into the prescribed range for its year and type. Giving, even more, reassurance, the car is accompanied by a comprehensive history file which documents its provenance, ownership, and restoration (including copies of its original 1973 sales invoice and order forms, period photos, letters from previous owners, numerous MOT certificates and invoices, restoration images etc.). This detailed history file would support that the indicated mileage of 90,000 may well be wholly correct.

Our vendor bought the car in 2006 and commissioned a ground-up restoration of it with respected Porsche specialists "Export 56", costing approximately £40,000. This restoration benefited from diligent ownership over the years, which included some significant work done in 1985/86. Every known owner of the car has been traced and contacted, with the previous one having it 30 years - you only keep a car this long if it's particularly good! The car now wears its original registration number of "PMC 680L" and is in the correct colour of Metallic Silver (925), as it left the factory. Our marque-enthusiast vendor further utilised the skills of another specialist "Gantspeed Engineering Ltd." for both work to the suspension and, then in 2009, for a thorough engine and brake overhaul. This healthy and restored example is ready to be used and enjoyed to the full and would make a worthy addition to any collection.

The 2.4 "S" is regarded as one of finest and most coveted 911 models ever, and having the chance to buy such a rare matching numbers RHD example, is certainly not to be missed.