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1973 Porsche 911S Targa
s/n 9113310785, engine no. *6331835*
Metallic Red with Black Sport Seat leather Interior

The early 70s Porsche 911 combines an evocative vintage experience with superb road manners and drivability, particularly when compared with other cars of the same period. There is a certain wholeness, cohesiveness, agility, and communicativeness that is only evident when they are driven, and they are extremely usable in modern traffic. This has made them particularly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors who are interested in driving their cars.

Early 911s were continuously developed, and the 1972 and 1973 models are generally considered the most refined and usable of the bunch. The 2.4 liter engine (technically 2.3 liters at 2341cc) provided more torque, and the S model was the most desirable, providing the highest level of equipment and the most power. By 1974, the weight of the cars was up somewhat due to the new impact bumpers, and the engines character and power output softened appreciably thanks to the new CIS fuel injection system, which helped emissions but lacked the urgency and edginess of the previous MFI setup.

The Targa was a unique and typically Porsche solution to the desire to combine open air motoring with safety. There were persistent rumors that convertibles would be outlawed in the United States, so Porsche engineered an integrated roll over bar which became a defining and iconic part of the 911. The first Targa arrived for the 1967 model year, initially with zip out plastic rear window or fixed glass heated rear window, which was more or less standardized by 1970.

This 1973 911S Targa is a documented three-owner California blue and yellow plate car, delivered new to Niello Porsche-Audi in Sacramento, California August 29, 1973. The original warranty voucher and various service stamps include notations up to 58,620 indicated miles in 1979. The third and current owner purchased the car in the late 1990s, and set about performing a comprehensive 5-year restoration to high standards, which was completed in 2003. At the time of his purchase, the car had sport seats, which are believed to be original to the car. A certificate of authenticity has been ordered to confirm the cars original equipment and matching-numbers status. The engine number is in the correct range as relates to the chassis number to suggest that the car is matching-numbers.

Over the past several years, the current owner has performed the following items including a comprehensive engine rebuild with modern updates to the original specifications. The restoration included new injectors, rebuilt injector pump (by Pacific), hydraulic chain tensioners, new cadmium plating as needed, new SSI stainless steel heat exchangers, new muffler, powder coated cylinder baffles, new oil tank, the case was align bored, Dilavar rods, new plugs and high voltage wires were installed, and the engine was dyno tested (test results included in documentation) before installation. Most of the engine parts were supplied by Jerry Woods, who also did the machine work to the case, crank, rods, cylinders, rods, pistons, and heads.A new clutch and Wevo shifter were also installed, and the gearbox rebuilt, including new synchros, bearings, and miscellaneous other parts. Inside the car, the sport seats were recovered with correct leather material, new carpeting (including front trunk) was installed, as was a new dash, new sun visors, new steering wheel cover, and new door and dash trim. Once the car was finished, it was sent to Jerry Woods, who performed the setup and final fettling on the car.

Originally metallic brown, the exterior was treated to a bare metal repaint using an original 1970 Porsche color, simply referred to as red metallic, with color code L97D. The refinishing included stripping the body and repainting the inside of the trunk, engine compartment, and door jambs as well as the exterior. All chrome trim was replated and all rubber trim, door seals, window seals and moldings replaced as needed. The wheels were refinished, and new brakes (master cylinder and pads) were installed. The front and rear A-arm bushings were replaced and new shocks were also installed, as were Turbo tie rods. A stamp in the original maintenance book indicates that the odometer was replaced at 13,236 miles in 1974 and the car currently shows 90,638 miles, suggesting that the original mileage is 104,000. In July of 2017, less than 200 miles ago, Porsche of Livermore performed $3,300 of service work, including five new Pirelli P600 tires were installed, and various other service related items including minor repairs, an oil service, gear oil change, and replacement of front and the rear hood and lid struts.

Today the car presents very nicely overall with excellent finishes that still look crisp. The paintwork was done to high standards and remains nice, with light road wear and, in certain light, some splotchiness that resembles water spots, which is present only on the left rear fender and right door. Rubber trim is generally nice, with some pieces showing signs of minor wear or aging. The various stainless and other bright trim throughout the car is in very nice condition with excellent fit and polish. The chrome headlight trim, side view mirrors, and door handles are in very nice condition as well. The rear and side glass are in very good condition overall with no major marks of note. The windshield has two very minor chips but is otherwise very nice overall. The doors, hood, and deck lid all open and shut as expected, retaining factory fit and tight closures. The forged Fuchs wheels are nicely preserved with minor signs of road use and no notable rim edge damage.

The interior has been nicely refinished with new leather seat covers, and interior components as noted. Instruments are in nice visual condition overall and retain good function, bright contrasting dial faces, and clear lenses. The underside of the car is in impressively nice, with beautiful original floor pants, which have never been replaced or even refinished. The engine is clean and correct in appearance, above and below, aside from the fitment of stainless SSI heat exchangers. The removable Targa roof remains in very good cosmetic and functional condition with no surface abrasions or excessive sun damage.

From a driving perspective, this is an incredibly well-resolved example. The engine runs beautifully. MFI can be finicky but this one is perfectly dialed, revving in a clean, linear fashion, and delivering a thrilling rush in the upper rev range. The Wevo shifter meaningfully improves the action of the 915 gearbox, with a robust, mechanical feel, and a spring-loaded centering effect which addresses the common complaints about vagueness in these gearboxes. The steering has the magical talkative lightness of the early 911 and the suspension is tight and well-judged. This is a car that simply feels coherent and satisfying from the get-go and, like a properly set up 911 should, begs to be driven enthusiastically. The car is accompanied a significant amount of extra items including tool roll with tools, jack, a black bra, windshield sunshade, an original 1973 911 large format sales brochure, the original owners manual and warranty booklet, records for engine work and other parts throughout the restoration, copies of factory parts and service manuals, 11 volumes of Up Fixin manuals in three ring binders, 5 volumes of restoration parts manuals, 100+ photos documenting the restoration, and a copy of a 2016 professional appraisal.

This is a very nice three-owner blue-plate 911S Targa that has always been in Northern California. Restored to high standards and still quite crisp in presentation and operation, this car perfectly embodies the intoxicating appeal of the early 911. It is also exceptionally complete, structurally outstanding, and desirably optioned, making it an excellent choice for the collector or the driving enthusiast.