911T performance

dear Sir,

I read your magazine regularly and enjoyed the article on the history of the 911T in issue 169. On page 47 Chris Randall states the 1972 T “was a decently strong performer with the 0-62 sprint reeled off in 7.6 seconds and a 128mph top speed. Still notably inferior to the S, it’s true, but eminently respectable.” Earlier in the paragraph power output for the 1972 T is stated as 130hp.

I would add that the US T came with 140hp. Testing by Car and Driver found the 1972 US T “to have the same acceleration (15.1 sec/91.7 mph) in the quarter mile as the 1969 S three years before”, and they noted “it was a lot less fussy about the way it’s driven” (Feb. 1972). Motor Trend went further, calling the 1972 T the “best Porsche ever” due to its combination of performance and drivability after testing the T, E and S (May 1972).

The quarter-mile time of 15.1 seconds reported by Car and Driver for the 2.4T is quicker than the 15.9 seconds reported by Motor Trend for the

2.2E (May 1970). Motor Trend also tested the 2.4T (May 1972) and found its quarter-mile time to be 15.7 seconds, again quicker than the 2.2E. The increased torque of the 2.4 made quite a difference in performance. there have always been fluctuations in performance from country to country owing to deviances in specifications. For example, the ’72t came with 130bhp in the UK but 140bhp in the States as US cars were fuelinjected. regarding the 1972 t being “the best porsche ever,” we’d have to disagree with those comments. While the 911t is a great 911, the e and S have better performance, specification and handling, and are no more difficult to drive. We all have different personal tastes, so we’re glad you’ve found favour with the 1972 t.