1971 PORSCHE 911 2.7 S/T RECREATION

This classic Porsche 911 is a wonderful recreation of a 1972 911 S/T factory ‘M491’ GT car as raced at Daytona, Le Mans and Sebring in the early 70s. Featuring numerous period-correct enhancements to its bodywork and mechanical components, it has been used as Porsche intended, and is offered for sale in charming driven condition.

On opening the aluminium engine lid, you are met by a twin-plug 2.7-litre mechanically fuel-injected air-cooled flat-six driving a five-speed 915 manual transmission with limited-slip differential – replacing the car’s original 2.4-litre engine. The odometer currently displays 18,714 miles, though this is the distance that the car has covered since its engine was rebuilt in 2010, and its total mileage is unknown.

Originally delivered in Germany and shipped to the USA, this classic left-hand drive Porsche was first registered in October 1971, and started life as a one-year model 911T with light yellow paintwork and external side oil filler ('Oelklappe').

Subsequently used as a race/track car, the chassis and engine were previously stripped down and rebuilt by an RGruppe member as a tribute to a factory ‘73 RSR. The current owner acquired it approximately 12 years ago, and set about recreating a road friendly 1972 911 S/T factory Group 4 GT racing car, as immortalised by Porsche racing legends Barth/Keyser in the period documentary ‘The Speed Merchants’.

This 911 has been enjoyed as intended, participating in European tours, RGruppe and Classic Lemans events with the occasional track day, while sparingly used on the road during the summer. The car has been cherished and carefully maintained, with the engine being rebuilt in 2010 by the late Porsche guru Bob Watson.

Styled after the 1972 911 S/T Group 4 factory racers, the wide-arched bodywork presents well, and has not suffered from any accident damage during the vendor’s ownership, although there is a small dent on the driver’s-side corner of the front bumper and the lower left sill. As part of its conversion, the car has been fitted with steel ST/RSR wheel arch flares, a factory aluminium S/T front bumper and rear engine lid, and fibreglass rear bumper – with the work evidently having been carried out to a good standard. The Sand Beige paintwork is in reasonable condition, with some general marks and blemishes in line with the car’s use, including stone chips on the flared rear wheel arches.

In keeping with its retro styling, this 911 is equipped with rare Marchal Amplilux headlights and Cibie Boule spot lamps which are free of chips or cracks. The car’s glass also presents well, though the vendor notes that there is a minor chip on the windscreen. It rides on a set of rare 15-inch factory Fuchs alloy wheels; with 9-inch rims at the front and 11-inch rims filling the extended rear arches, which have only minor blemishes. There is also a 5.5-inch width Fuchs spare rim and tyre.

On stepping into the cabin, this 911’s ‘function first’ approach becomes clear, with period-correct Scheel rally bucket seats fitted in place of the original items and a half-roll cage at the rear, which provides the attachment point for a pair of Britax harnesses. Overall, the interior is in fair condition, with minor signs of wear and patina to the driver’s seat and small marks and scuffs on the lightweight door cards and dashboard trim.

In line with the car’s conversion into a road-legal racer, it is fitted with a 180mph speedometer and 10,000rpm rev counter, plus lightweight door cards and carpet. The standard clock, radio and glove compartment cover are deleted, and the heating system/switch was removed due to the fitment of equal-length steel racing headers.

As well as the cosmetic changes, this classic 911’s mechanical components have been replaced and modified to enhance its performance. In the engine bay, the original 2.4-litre flat-six has been replaced by a twin-plug 2.7-litre MFI unit, which is fitted with high-butterfly ST stacks, RS 019 Pump, S-cams, SWB oil catcher, twin front oil coolers, and a stainless-steel three-way rally muffler with equal length steel headers. The car’s handling and rigidity have also been improved, with the fitment of RSR struts and brace, aluminium cross member and trailing arms, Turbo sway bar and tie rods, and four-pot 930 brake calipers and discs, fed by twin master cylinders. Furthermore, the car is fitted with a plastic 110-litre long-distance fuel tank, making it a very capable cross-continental tourer.

This recreation racer’s most recent routine maintenance was a minor service, which was carried out in May 2018 at 16,680 miles by Porsche Centre Guildford. Prior to this, major services were performed by famed independent Porsche specialist Bob Watson Engineering in June 2014 and May 2012, and the car’s drive belt was replaced in 2010, when the engine was fully rebuilt at the same workshop. Otherwise the vendor regularly changes the oil and filter.

Overall, the car is in excellent mechanical order; however the vendor notes the fuel gauge is unreliable, the batteries discharge when isolation switches are not engaged, and there is a small (but typical) 911 oil drip when left standing. Although the heating system has been removed, the rest of the electrical items work without fault, and there are no warning lights displayed on the dashboard.

Its last MOT test was conducted on 30 September 2020 at an indicated 18,640 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass. A chip in the windscreen was noted as a minor defect – though this does not adversely affect the driver’s view – while advisories noted cracking to both rear tyres and a weak horn. All four wheels are shod in Michelin TB15 tyres fitted in 2017 and have ample tread remaining, albeit with minor surface cracks from lack of use, so may benefit from replacement in the future.

This 1971 Porsche 911 is an emotive, characterful and highly drivable recreation of the marque’s famed Group 4 911 S/T racers, an emotive, characterful and highly drivable recreation which has been built to a high standard and proudly wears the patina of a car which has been used for its intended purpose. Ready to be enjoyed on the road as-is, this classic Porsche could also be a suitable candidate for historic racing if the next owner wishes to secure FIA approval, and is sure to turn heads at every opportunity.

Please note: the RGruppe/DDK enamel engine badges are not included in the sale.

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