1973 Porsche 911S Targa

model history 

The Porsche factory’s general intention was to try and restrict major model changes to every two years, but this policy became a little clouded through the 1960s when engineers were rushing to develop the 911. Factory discipline strengthened after that and in August 1971, two years after the engine was enlarged to 2.2 litres, the 2.4 litre engine arrived. 

Whereas the previous capacity increase was achieved by enlarging the bore, this time it was the stroke that was increased taking capacity of the engine to 2,341cc which, although closer to 2.3L, the Porsche marketing team labelled ‘2.4’ because this seemed a more attractive increase in size. 

The S spec 2.4L engine produced 190 bhp at 6,500rpm, 10 bhp more than the 2.2S and only 20 bhp less than its bigger brother the 2.7RS which arrived the following year. The larger engine could take the car north of 145 mph.

The gearbox for the 2.4 was all new too, known as the 915 gearbox, doing away with the dog-leg setup that 911’s had used since their inception in favour or a more traditional ‘H’ pattern box, coming in 4 and 5 speed variations, although all ‘S’ model cars had the 5 speed.   

Just over 5,000 2.4L 911S were made with 1,914 of them being Targas. The Targa features its distinctive steel roll over bar and glass rear window, an upgrade on the earlier type fabric cover along with reinforcements to the chassis to make up for rigidity lost with the removal of the roof. The collapsable centre roof panel is simple to fit and can be done by once person in under a minute. 

this car

Chassis 9112300863 was specified in Metallic Green with a Black interior which the car retains to this day. The car was sold in June 1972 by Denham Green Automobile Centre in London and passed through the hands of 5 owners in the first 10 years of its life who between them put 85,000 miles on the clock. Many original invoices and MOT certificates from the cars early history remain in the history file. 

In June 1985, the car was sold to its current owner who remarkably has owned it ever since. In 1988 he decided to refurbish the car with the engine being fully rebuilt by Chris Turner. In the following 20 years the car was regularly used and maintained with the owner putting a further 12,000 miles on the odometer. 

The car was subsequently stored for 15 years before the owner decided to carry out a bare metal restoration. He entrusted Border Reivers to do the bodywork who fully documented the entire process. Respected specialist Anthony Seddon rebuilt the engine and gearbox before reassembling the car with great attention to detail. Although the carpets have been replaced, the interior largely remains original, with features like the original dash top still presenting in excellent condition.

Since the work on the car was completed in late 2024, 500 miles of snagging have been carried out and it drives as a well-sorted 2.4S should with plenty of torque translating into high end power across the rev range. The paintwork is impressive and to the level expected by the owner as he restored his pride and joy.