1973 Porsche 911T

Description

The "Touring" Porsche 911 is the base model 911. It was introduced for the 1967 model year as the entry-level replacement for the four-cylinder-powered 912, and although this particular 911 has a Targa top, the "T" designation is not at all affiliated with that desirable open-air option.

The 2.4- liter . at-six, air-cooled engine puts out 140 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, making it the least powerful 911 offered that year. Yet most 911Ts were quicker than most enthusiasts expected because they were a bit lighter than the more powerful E and S versions.

The main attraction to the 1972- '73-spec 911s were their larger 2.4-liter (142.9 cubic inches) engines that offered a noticeable improvement over the previous 2.2-liter versions. Although the bore size remained the same as the 2.2, the stroke was lengthened to 2.75 inches from 2.57 inches. Bosch mechanical fuel injection replaced carburetion in January of 1973, on U.S.-spec 911Ts, which allowed the six-cylinder boxer engine to develop a very respectable 148 lb-ft of torque.

Other revisions to this larger 2.4-liter engine included a revised intake that improved breathing and reprofiled camshafts for increased performance.Striving to build the ultimate sports car, Porsche engineers also enhanced its suspension components and revised the geometry of the front struts and rear shocks, which allowed these models to handle tighter curves better and in a more neutral manner; shock absorber travel was also increased resulting in a noticeably more comfortable ride.

And with the introduction of the new 915-series gearbox, which came in both four- and five-speed versions, and finally a welcomed conventional shifting pattern as opposed to the "dog leg" pattern of the previous models, these cars truly are the best of the early 911 models.