How rare is a 4-speed in a 1973 911S?

[4SFED]

Hello All!

I've been staring at my little gem in the garage during this SNOWY winter we are having in Michigan and some questions have been recurring in my head..... One of the biggest is this:

How rare is a 4-speed in a '73 S?

I know the car was ordered new with a 4-speed, so it must have been either standard or an option.... but how many were spec'ed this way? Also, I'm pretty sure it's a "915" trans (4-speed or 5-speed), but it doesn't look like the 5-speeds I've seen on the interior.

Cheers,
Jacob

[4SFED]

Here is a couple pics of the numbers on the trans.... it's a 915/12

[Chuck Miller]

Jake,

4 speeds were actually the standard and 5 speeds were the option...

Your 4 speed I believe is a 915/12 with it's 5 speed counterpart a 915/02..

Your 915 4 speed shift tower has the look of a 901 or sporto ... but I believe they are not the same...

As far as how many '73 S's rolled off with 4 speeds.... no idea... but I'm think'n not that many

Hope this helps,

Chuck

[gulf908]

Jake,

If the dealer ordered a 4 speed for floor stock,he may have had it on the showroom floor for a long time !
If it was a customer order,he in turn would have the car for a while when he came to sell it.
A 4 speed 2.4 S is not a desirable combination,to make an understatement.
Its not a 4 speed Sporto ?
What does the CoA say ?
An observation - should a '73 not have the larger base at the bottom of the gearshift ?

HTH,
Dennis.

[4SFED]

Thanks, Chuck!

Dennis - the car was ordered as a 4-speed. The original owner told me he did so because he wanted the ratio of the 4-speed due to racing SCCA Solo II and it was more suited for that need. I was just curious as to how many were produced this this configuration. As you stated, probably not to desirable at the time. But, I'm thinking an Early "S" is desirable these days. I am also curious as to the base of the shifter being different.... Although I think someone posted a diagram of the 4/5/Sporto shifter configs on my original thread of the car. So, I think it is correct for the year.

I haven't ordered a COA on the car as yet.....

[edmayo]

I would use the term 'extremely rare' I've seen maybe two, and I've been around these since 67. That is the shift tower used on the 72 model cars, first year of the 915 trans. There were complaints of slight whine in 5th gear that went away when you pushed the lever to the right, so Porsche modified the shift base to do exactly that for 73. The 4spd. didn't have that problem so it may have retained the 72 shift base. For autocross that long second gear would have been a benefit.

[4SFED]

Thanks for the info, Ed... I've been searching my butt off and haven't found any 4-speed cars in the market place. That's what got my curiosity up. Enjoy that warm weather in Ft Worth! At least you are above 30deg! lol

[TB73]

For what it's worth , I owned a Dalmatian Blue 73.5 T a few yrs back , that car was a factory 4sp. ... Originally sold on Oahu , I figured it had been ordered that way for Island driving? .

[gled49]

This is right out of the Service and Training information for model 73. "To improve the shift lever guide and the reverse gear locking mechanism on the 5-speed gearbox the shift lever housing is a die casting. This shift lever housing can also be installed in older vehicles.
Vehicles which have the 4-speed transmission as standard equipment will continue to be equipped with the old shift lever housing for the time being." Gled

[Biancaneve]

I only have one confirmed factory 4 speed in my database of 600+ 72-73 S ... so I guess it must be pretty rare