Introduced to the public in 1963 as the successor to the legendary Typ 356, Ferry Porsche's Typ 911 has become the paragon of the purist's sports car. Manufactured in the original, lightweight version for almost a decade while being steadily refined, especially the 2.2/2.4 liter models of the early 1970s are highly desirable collectors' items today.
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Unfortunately, due to normal attrition, precious few of these iconic sports cars have survived. Built during the years before Porsche finally adopted stringent rust-proofing methods, including galvanized steel body panels, most were ravaged by corrosion; others have been modified beyond the boundaries of good taste. Due to worldwide demand, values of the few surviving, rust free early 911s are increasing exponentially, and this should come as no surprise.
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The last "long hood" 911s are nearly 40 years old, three to four times the average automobile life span. Finding a spectacular example -- like the very well-optioned one featured here -- that has not yet disappeared forever in someone's private collection is a rare and fortunate event, indeed!
Manufactured in Zuffenhausen, VIN *9110101061* is a genuine 1970 Porsche 911T Coupe that was sold new in California and spent all its life in the Golden State. It came from the factory with the desirable 2.2-liter engine preferred by many cognoscenti of the marque over its 2.4-liter successor as it revs so willingly from idle to redline that you'll have trouble to shift quick enough to keep up with it.
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CoA confirms its matching numbers engine. Never before have we seen an Olive (factory paint code 3939) Porsche 911 in the flesh, yet the Certificate of Authenticity states that it's indeed the color the Coupe was born with. Rare? You bet. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Let's inspect this amazing Porsche in more detail now, starting up front, with the trunk.
Equipped with a host of "S" options, plush black trunk carpeting (instead of the austere gray felt) and dual trunk lights are but two of the luxurious touches.
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Even the spare is a genuine 6Jx15 FUCHS, preferred fitment for the 2.2. and quite valuable today.
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The good news continue upon removing the trunk mat: the vulnerable "nose" section is as clean as they come, withouth any signs of corrosion or prior accident damage. Perfect!
Note original details such as plastic washer bottle, bakelite fuse panel cover, and dual 12-Volt batteries.
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Turning our attention to the car's exterior, we are impressed by its perfect door and hood gaps ("shut lines") and the arrow straight coachwork. This car has never needed to be blown apart to be restored on a rotisserie, as it is one of the best-loved California survivors you could ever hope to find. Brightwork is in very good to excellent condition throughout; wide "S" deco trim and virtually all of the weatherstripping is new.
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What would an early 911 be without a set of the iconic FUCHS light alloy wheels? This one wears very expensive, strikingly polished, date coded 6Jx15 "Deep Sixes" all around, shod with grippy FALKEN ZIEX radials of the size 205/60-H15.
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Recent recipient of a no-expense-spared, windows-out refinishing in the factory original color, Olive, the paint is smooth and wonderfully glossy, without any blems worth mentioning. There are no dings, dents, bubbles, scrapes, or scratches anywhere. Surveying an early 911 boasting such a rare, period-correct livery is a retinal delight of the highest magnitude!
Car sports the factory blue-green tinted windows all around.
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If there's one option that gets elevated attention, even from seasoned 911 aficionados, it's the electric sunroof. A mere 5% of all early-1970s 911s were fitted with one; hence, the "roof" may be the most coveted extra of 'em all, as it transforms the cozy Coupé into an open-air sunshine chaser!
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The difference between a merely great and an outstanding car is visible in the small details. Check 'em out, left to right, top to bottom:
- Fluted BOSCH H4 headlight lenses.
- New sunroof seals. Note beautiful alloy fittings.
- Door hinge and jamb. New rubber throughout.
- Original "2.2" engine size decal on rear window.
- Highly coveted, genuine enamelled Porsche crest.
- Even the fender seal was replaced!
- Immaculate paint, fresh grommets.
- Rear pop-out windows are neat.
- Chrome vent grilles, "S" trim.
- Factory owner's manual.
- Silver-anodized engine grille.
- You can barely see the sunroof drain.
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Aahh, the classic Porsche cockpit! Up front, it provides plenty of room for two adults, even of the Big & Tall variety; it surely is one of the most comfortable 1960s sports car interiors.
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Correct headliner; it looks new. Note beautifully preserved sun visors and working dome lights.
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Dashboard, just like the RS door panels and sport seats, is covered in aromatic, black leather. Another one of the cockpit's highlights is the genuine Porsche wood-and-aluminum steering wheel.
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This 911 sports "S" gauges; they are all in excellent condition; even the clock works. Odometer shows 90,885 miles, believed to be the car's actual mileage.
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Black leather-clad RECARO/Porsche sport seats are another accessory that makes any enthusiast's heart beat faster. Valued at about $4-5,000.00 -- if you can find a set -- these seats are the ultimate in 1960s street-and-track chic, and they are functional as well, as you'll appreciate the extra hold and firmness.
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Occasional rear seats can turn any 911 into a true 2+2 Grand Touring car; seat backs can be lowered individually to create additional luggage space. Note the optional -- and rarely seen -- "red lever" seat belts.
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Some additional interior detail shots for your perusal.
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we head out on the highway, let's survey engine compartment and undercarriage closely.
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Sparklingly clean engine bay houses the new-for-1970 two-point-two motor. Its i.d. number - *6107841* - matches the CoA. From the stock air cleaner housing which was carefully powder-coated, to the set of gold foil decals denoting capacities and specifications, a lot of time and money was invested to make this 911 stand out in any crowd.
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The 2,195cc powerplant starts, revs, and sounds fantastic. Fitted with hydraulic chain tensioners, capacitive discharge ignition, and two triple WEBER 40IDA carburetors, it runs super strong, never missing a beat, and doesn't display any bad habits, such as (oil) drinking or smoking.
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Gold-cadmium plated hardware, powdercoated engine tin, new sound deadening pad. No detail has been overlooked.
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This is where the California provenance really makes a difference as pre-1976 Porsches are very susceptible to being attacked by corrosion. The merciless rust devil can hide anywhere, in small crevices and even underneath the flexible factory PVC undercoating. The only way to avoid serious problems is to purchase a 911 that has always been sheltered from inclement weather and presents itself with virginal floor pans, zero rust and zero rust repairs, just like this always-garaged, summer-driven-only example. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Photos above show the unmolested undercarriage in great detail, for the automobile archaeologists amongst you. Make sure to expand these photos to their full size.
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Monday, September 17, was another brilliant late-summer day in our little fishing village of San Buenaventura, perfect for a nice drive in our 911.
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Just turn the key and the big boxer comes to life, idling smoothly within seconds. You allow the oil to get warmed up, push in the clutch, and grab the wooden shift knob. Move your hand to the left and down into first, race-car-like, and lift the clutch for a smooth take-off. To exercise the race-derived type 901 manual 5-speed transmission is a joyful experience. Even Mark Donohue, the famous Porsche 917 pilot, asserted the superior road manners of the 911T in a contemporary test. Thanks to an improved torque curve for the 2.2, plenty of power is on tap almost from idle all the way to redline, not just beyond 4,000 rpm as in some of the more exotic Porsche products.
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No wonder early 911s are so highly praised as drivers' cars. The Porsche handles like a go-cart, direct, without hesitation, without mushiness. You command, the lightweight car responds -- instantly! Unencumbered by restrictive smog equipment or federal noise regulations, this 911 still emits the unmistakable wall of sound we've come to cherish so much. It's a feast for the senses, a workout for the mind.
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We've enjoyed every minute behind the wheel and once again feel reaffirmed as to why an early Porsche 911 is more than just a collector car. It's an investment that you will want to drive, as it engages you actively to participate in its exercise.
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A perfectly rust and accident free Porsche 2.2 Coupe from California, with matching numbers, CoA, a rare and attractive, special-order factory color, equipped with electric sunroof, leather, sport seats, wood wheel, "S" trim and gauges, tinted glass, as well as the iconic FUCHS deep six alloys -- if there ever was a bona fide "keeper" quality Porsche, here it is!
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A wise man once said: "You can't pay too much, you just can buy too early." Pertaining to this Porsche, you really can't pay too much, as the market for early 911s is well established and will continue to go from strength to strength, as more and more collectors realize that the 1965-'73 911 is the perfect vintage sports car. Examples of this caliber are in very limited supply; we might not find another one like it for a very long time, if ever.
Addendum:
We sold this exceptional Porsche 911 in 2012.
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