PORSCHE 911 CARRERA MFI
Year of manufacture 1975 Recorded mileage 145,000
Asking price £150,000 Vendor Taylor & Crawley, Harrowby Street, London; 020 7823 2599; taylorandcrawley.com
WHEN IT WAS NEW Price DM44,230 Max power 210bhp Max torque 188lb ft 0-60mph 6.3 secs Top speed 149mph Mpg 26
There can hardly be an enthusiast with an ounce of petrol in their veins who doesn’t covet a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. It is, after all, among the finest classics of all time, and was crowned the world’s greatest driver’s car in a C&SC poll in 2010. And yet, just like a Cobra or GT40, it’s a car whose fame has almost begun to count against it. Who wants to fork out the thick end of half a million quid on a car, then constantly have to fend off the “is it real?” question?
For me, there has always been something endlessly appealing about the ‘Q-car.’ And while a Porsche 911 – any Porsche 911 – is a rapid machine, the early ‘big-bumper’ 2.7s are somehow seen as lesser siblings: not as pure as a pre-’ 73, and not as potent as bigger-engined models. Not so this one, because those ‘Carrera’ decals aren’t just for show. Under that unassuming skin sits not a Bosch K-jetronic-injected 150bhp (911) or 175bhp (911S) flat-six, but a fullfat 210bhp mechanically injected version from, you guessed it, the 2.7 RS.
That also means Fuchs rather than ‘Cookie Cutter’ alloys, a wider rear track and tyres beneath gently flared wings, plus a rear anti-roll bar, forged pistons and electric windows. Just 1534 coupés and 610 targas were so equipped, a footnote in a chapter of Porsche history dominated by the turbo and RS 3.0.
Though it may not be fashionable to say so, this is my favourite era of 911: big bumpers and chrome brightwork is just such a cool combination, and I love the fact that the ‘whale tail’ it wore from the factory has been substituted by an unadorned engine cover. Oh, and that stance is just sensational.
David Clark, owner of Taylor & Crawley, clearly agrees, because this Carrera has been his personal car for the past 12 years, since he bought it from Frank Sytner. It’s still in its delivery spec of silver with blue leather, with optional electric sunroof and rare factory air-conditioning, though a period-correct Momo Prototipo has replaced the original steering wheel (which will come with the car, along with that whale tail). Judging by the mileage it’s been enjoyed, but there’s no need to be put off: since an earlier restoration this car has carried off nine PCGB concours trophies, and its engine has recently been rebuilt by Jaz Porsche. There’s even a fresh set of correct Pirelli P6000s all round.
“As with all properly set-up Carreras and RSS, it is a delight to drive,” says Taylor & Crawley’s Mark Smythe. “The handling needs only a light touch and gives lots of feedback, and needless to say the engine is a cracker.” Yes please.