1970 Porsche 911S Sunroof Coupe

This is a collector-owned example in its original color combination of silver with black interior. The car is very well equipped with sport seats, sunroof, original Becker radio, Cibie driving lights with factory wiring harness, Hella fog lamps, and H1 headlamps. The car has never been apart for restoration, though most of the major systems have been done over the years including engine, transmission, suspension, and brake rebuilds. The muffler is an all stainless Dansk and the car has stainless SSI heat exchangers. The car also has “deep 6″ fuchs with “hearts”, which wear Michelin XWX tires. The undercarriage and trunk are beautifully detailed, and the car runs and drives superbly.

This car is in Pebble Beach, CA

The Model

Early 911’s are rare finds today among collector cars. They have unparalleled drivability and usability, especially when compared with other cars of the same vintage. There is a certain wholeness, cohesiveness, agility, and communicativeness that is only evident when they are driven, and it is no surprise that they have a fanatical following. Until quite recently, however, they were just used cars, which makes finding genuinely solid which have been continuously cared throughout the car’s life very difficult today. All early 911’s have appreciated tremendously in recent years, with good solid cars seeing especially significant increases in value.

The 2.2 liter 911S is a very special car which appeals particularly to the most rabid of Porsche enthusiasts. While the 2.4 liter S and 2.7 liter RS often attract the attention of the casual Porsche enthusiast (and rightly so!), the 2.2 liter cars have a raw character that results from the less restrictive laws that were in place when they were built. The 9.9:1 compression ratio is higher than that of both the RS and the 2.4S by over a full point (both are 8.5:1), while the 6,500rpm power peak is also loftier than that of the RS. The result is a decidedly sporting feel that gives the driver a more direct link to Porsche’s legendary competition heritage. There is nothing like the way a 2.2S comes on cam at 5000rpm, yet despite the peaky reputation of the cars, they are genuinely tractable when properly tuned as this example is.

History

This particular car is a wonderful collector-owned example that is equipped with a number of rare and desirable options. It has never been disassembled for restoration, but has instead been sympathetically looked after and the systems rebuilt as required. It is equipped with sport seats, sunroof, original Becker radio (rebuilt and working great), H1 headlamps, Hella fog lamps, and Cibié driving lights. The current owner purchased the car from the owner of a Porsche specialty shop in San Diego by the name of Dieter’s, and he had carefully rebuilt the engine and transaxle.

The current owner purchased the car in 2005, and while it was mechanically very well sorted, it was cosmetically only average. A fastidious collector, he set about improving with the eye of a sophisticated Porsche enthusiast. From the H1 headlamps and Cibié driving lights with factory through-grille hardware and wiring harness to the beautifully detailed undercarriage and five restored date code-matching deep 6 fuchs with hearts and new Michelin XWX tires, the car is wonderfully equipped and in outstanding order. Additionally, the car also has a full stainless steel Dansk muffler and SSI heat exchangers. The car has also had braking system and suspension rebuilds. New wheel bearings, ball joints, Koni shock absorbers, and Turbo tie rod ends, and axle boots were also installed, and the car was corner weighted. The undercarriage, engine, and trunk were comprehensively detailed, and the brakes rebuilt and detailed. The exterior trim was replated or rechromed as necessary including the door handles and rocker trim.

Condition

The car is in superb condition throughout. The body has great gaps and is both extremely straight and free of corrosion. The paint is very nice throughout, with only a few minor issues. The chrome and metal trim is excellent throughout, as are the lights and lenses. There is light wear to the fog lamps, but the headlamps and driving lamps are outstanding. The car has its original orange bar hood crest, which has been beautifully restored. The glass is original, save for the windscreen, which is a replacement correct Sekurit unit. The deep six wheels are original to the car (all date code matching May of 1970) and were beautifully restored by Harvey Weidman. All five have Michelin XWX tires.

The interior is mostly original and is extremely well-preserved. The car has correct tilt-up perforated sport seats, which are in excellent order. The carpets, instruments, dashboard, and headliner are all original and are extremely nice considerin this. There is light patina throughtout, and one small crack in the dashboard, between the speaker grille and defroster vent. The car has a 380mm RS steering wheel as well.

The engine compartment is very correct throughout, from the red fan shroud (not over-restored, the texture of the material is still visible), to the black ignition coil, to the uncovered fuse block and fuse cover. It was previously detailed and remains quite tidy, with only minor soiling from use. The trunk is immaculately detailed, including the spare, which was been entirely restored. The battery boxes are sparkling, and the ground straps are new.

The car drives and performs beautifully. The suspension is compliant but tight, and the car handles in a wonderfully progressive and communicative way. The chassis is free of creaks and feels very solid. The engine is certainly one of the finest-tuned MFI 911’s that we have encountered, and despite the 911S reputation for being peaky, it pulls without hesitation from low engine speeds. It comes on cam at high engine speeds as only a 911S can, making for a very exhilarating ride. The gearbox has excellent synchros, and is a pleasure to use. The brakes are progressive and very capable.

More to come.

Vehicle Photos