Porsche 911 T

Unlike many early 911s that have undergone extensive restoration or modification over the years, this car remains remarkably close to the condition in which it was built and has been carefully maintained. It should therefore be regarded as a genuine survivor, preserving much of the character, materials, construction details and patina that are often lost during a full restoration.

The car was owned by my family (initially by my father, then by me) from 1980.

Main specifications

• 2.4-litre flat-six engine Type 911/57 number 653 0397
• Five-speed manual gearbox Type 915.02 number 7331777
• Matching numbers and matching colours, supported by Porsche documentation
• 114000 kilometres
• Original Italian registration documents
• Original Rome number plates
• Period-correct (production years: 1972-1975) and fully functional Philips RN512 stereo radio with cassette player and motorized antenna
• Aftermarket alarm system
• Original tool kit, almost complete, with only the screwdriver missing

Factory options

The car was ordered with the following desirable factory equipment:

• 6J x 15-inch alloy wheels
• Comfort Package, also commonly referred to as the “S trim” package

The Comfort Package includes a number of features associated with the more highly specified 911 S, including:

• Leather-covered steering wheel
• Bumpers and overriders with rubber trim
• Aluminium sill trim
• Full five-gauge instrumentation
• Additional comfort and appearance details

Body

The car was originally finished in colour code 131, Light Ivory. It was repainted to a high standard in its original colour using a historically appropriate single-stage gloss finish without a separate clear coat.

The repaint is the only significant departure from the car’s preserved original condition. The car has not been involved in any accidents during my family’s ownership, which began in 1980. I cannot verify its earlier history, but there are no visible signs of significant accident damage. See also readings of paint thickness. The body presents very well while retaining a small number of age-related imperfections consistent with an unrestored and carefully used classic. These include:

The body presents very well while retaining a small number of age-related imperfections consistent with an unrestored and carefully used classic. These include:

• A very small dent on the front bonnet
• Some scratches on the aluminium trim surrounding the left-hand door
• Minor imperfections acquired during the car’s earlier period of regular use

All known cosmetic imperfections are shown clearly in the accompanying photographs.

The underbody is particularly noteworthy. It remains intact and has not been cosmetically restored, refinished or covered with modern protective coatings.

It has deliberately not been steam-cleaned or cosmetically prepared, and it still retains the characteristic original yellowish factory-applied protective coating. This is an increasingly rare and valuable detail on an early 911, as many comparable cars have had their underbodies stripped, repainted or restored.

Its untouched appearance provides an unusually honest indication of the car’s condition and history.

Interior

The interior upholstery is original and has never been restored. It remains very well preserved considering the car’s age and retains the authentic materials, craftsmanship and atmosphere of an early 1970s Porsche.

As expected in a genuine survivor, the interior shows some evidence of use:

• Small areas of abrasion to the upholstery at the contact points of the rear seat base
• Sun-related deterioration to the upper part of the original leather steering wheel
• A small repaired tear in the headliner

• Speakers installed in the doors, requiring holes to be made in the original door cards
• Minor damage to some plastic components

Mechanical condition and maintenance

The car has a comprehensive maintenance history (becoming less frequent in late years because of reduced use) and runs and drives correctly. It has been regularly serviced and remains suitable for enjoyable road use.

The engine starts and operates normally, with no exhaust smoke while driving (see movie). Oil pressure is good (see photo). The five-speed gearbox functions as intended.

There is a very minor oil seepage from the left-hand valve cover. This amounts to only a few drops per week and occurs mainly as the engine cools after the car has been driven. The engine still retains its original magnesium valve covers. These components are known to distort slightly with age and heating/cooling cycles and commonly develop minor seepage.

The interior lights presently remain illuminated instead of switching off automatically. This is believed to result from an earth fault in the wiring on the right-hand side of the car. The issue will be repaired before delivery.

A genuine survivor

The principal attraction of this Porsche lies not simply in its condition, but in its authenticity and continuity.

Early F-Series 911s have often passed through multiple restorations, colour changes, engine replacements, aesthetic questionable upgrades or travels across countries (especially undesirable if the car was originally meant for the US market).

A “nut and bolt” restoration is possible with these cars, and these restorations allow a beautiful presentation, but such cars may retain relatively little of the materials and details fitted when they left the factory (letting aside potential errors or cost-saving, well-hidden shortcuts taken by the restorer, that can be expensive to amend).

This example offers a very different proposition. It combines:

• Documented matching numbers and matching colours
• Original Italian provenance
• Original Rome registration plates and documents
• Original upholstery
• Preserved and unrestored underbody
• Factory Comfort Package
• Desirable 6J x 15-inch alloy wheels
• Comprehensive maintenance history
• Honest and clearly documented age-related flaws

Its imperfections are limited, understandable and consistent with a car that has been used, maintained and preserved rather than dismantled and recreated.

For the collector who values originality above concours-level cosmetic perfection, this represents an increasingly difficult type of early 911 to find: an honest, complete and highly authentic car that continues to display the materials, details and traces of use accumulated during more than five decades.

The car is presented without attempting to disguise its history. All known imperfections are described above and shown in the photographs, allowing prospective buyers to assess its condition with confidence.

The car is available in Rome for inspection and test driving.

A rare opportunity to acquire a matching-numbers, matching-colours, Italian-delivered Porsche 911 2.4 T whose value lies in its remarkable state of preservation, documented provenance and high degree of originality.