1972 Porsche 911 2.4s

• An Italian market, left-hand drive example imported to the UK in 2002 with 50,976 kilometres indicated
• Finished in Sepia Brown with a black interior and optioned from new with Recaro sports seats
• Owned by fastidious enthusiasts since and subject to considerable attention
• Documented mechanical refresh by Autofarm in 2010 (ú20,000)
• ú6,000 more recently at Peter Chambers. UK speedometer fitted in 2002 and only 16,700 warranted miles since
• One of the finest 2.4S available, well sorted and set up, in super condition and superbly detailed

The first of countless upgrades to the perennial 911 came in 1966, two years after production had commenced, with the introduction of the 911S. Easily distinguishable by its stylish Fuchs five-spoked alloy wheels, the 'S' featured a heavily revised engine producing 160bhp. In 1967 the 911T (Touring) was introduced as a new base model, initially with the 2.0-litre engine in 110bhp form before adopting the 2.2-litre unit along with the rest of the range in 1969, by which time the 911's wheelbase had been extended by 57mm to tame the sometimes wayward handling. Such was the 911's success that within a few years Porsche was selling cars faster than it could build them, a state of affairs that led to a substantial proportion being manufactured by coachbuilder Karmann at its Osnabrook factory.

By this time the models on offer had stabilised at three: the entry-level 911T, middle-ranking 911E, and top-of-the-range 911S, all of which were available as either a closed CoupÚ or Targa convertible. With the 2.2-litre engine's arrival, a common type of cylinder head was adopted, the differing power outputs being determined principally by valve timing rather than valve sizes as had been the case hitherto. In 1972 all 911 variants received the 2,341cc (nominally 2.4-litre) unit, which in 'S' specification produced around 190bhp, 60 more than the original 911 of 1963.

For 1972, in addition to the larger engine, the' E' series had a further two revisions. An aggressive new front spoiler was incorporated below the bumper and, in an attempt to move as much weight as possible towards the centre of the car, the oil tank was re-positioned inboard of the right rear wheel arch, resulting in the introduction of an external oil filler cap on the right-hand side rear wing behind a flap ('Oel Klappe'). The propensity for petrol station attendants to fill the oil tank with fuel, and the resulting warranty claims, quickly persuaded Porsche to change the design and 1972 'Oel Klappe' cars became difficult to sell, possibly resulting in their comparative scarcity today. As is often the case, that rarity has resulted in the 'Oel Klappe' cars now being the most desirable.

The car on offer today is a left-hand drive 1972 2.4S finished in Sepia Brown with a black interior and fitted with Recaro sports seats. It was originally supplied to Italy and following a number of years there, was purchased by a Dutch enthusiast who retained the car until 2002 and looked after it well judging from the number of invoices on file from a Porsche specialist. The 911 arrived in the UK in 2002 and was obviously in largely original condition as indicated in a pre-purchase inspection report completed by Andy Prill. The customer who commissioned the report purchased the car and commissioned marque specialists, Autostrasse, to carry out a major service and deal with any recommendations arising from the report.

In 2004, the car was offered for sale by well-known Porsche people, Gantspeed, and an email on file confirms the good original, accident-free condition of the car and mentions that 50,976km was on the original speedometer with a further 4,800 miles being covered on the UK mph speedo fitted when the car came to the UK.

Porsche enthusiast, Robert Barrie, purchased the car from Gantspeed and sent it to be serviced and checked prior to using it on a track day at Goodwood. He used the car minimally, the mileage rising to 9,700 and sold it in 2006. Its next custodian also used it lightly with the car serviced by Autofarm before he, in turn, sold it in 2010 to a gentleman with an extensive collection of special Porsches. As was his way, he sent it to Autofarm for a full inspection and subsequent overhaul and there are invoices on file amounting to in excess of ú20,000 for this work. All areas requiring attention were addressed, the gearbox was rebuilt, the engine removed, checked over and detailed, as was the engine bay, the wheels were refurbished, and a myriad of other smaller jobs all extensively documented in a CD. More recently, the 911 has been looked after by Peter Chambers Automotive with invoices amounting to ú6,000 in the file.

This remarkable Porsche has covered just 14,500 miles since 2001 and must be one of the finest 2.4S on the market. It's in really super condition with fantastic detail yet retains a really nice original feel. According to our vendor, it drives superbly and has clearly been sorted and well set-up offering all those wonderful 911 qualities that make these early cars so addictive.