"Techno Classica", Essen, Germany - 18th April 2015
1971 Porsche 911 ST - Lot 150
Registration Number: German Registered
VIN: 9111301418
Engine: -
Trans: -
Auction Estimate: €380,000 - €450,000 Euros/~US$412,000 - $490,000
1971 Porsche 911 ST.jpg
Auction Description:
While already occupied during the mid-1960s with its sports racers, Porsche quickly recognised the competition potential of its new 911. Barely four months after introduction in 1965, a 911 achieved a GT class victory and fifth place overall at the Monte Carlo Rally in appallingly snowy conditions. Later, the 911 S of Elford/Stone won the Lyon, Tulip and Geneva contests to take the European GT Rally Championship. Racetrack victories soon followed as 911 S models earned GT class victories at Sebring, Daytona, Spa, the Nürburgring and the Targa Florio. By the middle of 1967, Porsche released the 911 R, of which only 22 examples were built.
The 911 T/R appeared next for 1968, based on the 911 T and homologated for Group 3. It was even lighter than the 911 R, and a variety of competition engine and driveline combinations were available.
It too racked up an incredible victory tally, with class and outright wins in Britain, Italy and Germany, en route to clinching both the FIA Constructor's Trophy for GT cars and the European Touring Car Challenge in 1968. Racing 911s continued to dominate in 1969, with GT class wins achieved at the Nürburgring 1,000 kms, Le Mans, the Targa Florio and Spa.
Next, Porsche developed the S/T, built in 1970 and 1971, taking full advantage of new FIA rules allowing a two-inch wider track. Accordingly, wheel arches were widened to accommodate seven-inch front and nine-inch rear wheels. Weight reduction was even more radical, including thinner-gauge steel for the roof and floorpans.
Heating ducts, seat slide supports, the glove-box lid, ashtray, sun visors and rear torsion-bar covers were deleted. Transverse bars linked the strut towers, while soundproofing and under-seal were omitted and minimal paint was applied. Plastic front and rear bumpers, a plastic front lid and lightweight Plexiglas side and rear windows were included. The 2.5-litre engine produced 270 bhp, and upgraded ventilated disc brakes, Recaro sport seats and a variety of fuel capacities completed the specification.
Porsche made just 12 factory 911 ST racing cars. For private teams 30 cars were produced from 2.2T's, E's and S's. In that period it was Possible to buy from Porsche standard racing specifications- the lightweight body, polyester front fenders, polyester bonnet, wide rear wheel arches, welded footrests, welded mounting plates for a roll cage, and many smaller parts with the standard 2.2 engine.
A customer could also purchase 8 inch and 9inch wheels, a larger race 100litre fuel tank, racing seats, doors and most importantly a 2.5 engine bore kits with 2.5 MFI with double injection ignition. Naturally all transmission and suspension parts were also available. This factory 911 S is just one of these cars, receiving the S/T 'treatment' and delivered as a basic racing car where it was sold to Italy. Here, in S/T specification it raced for the next 6 years .
Chassis 1418 was the subject of a restoration just over 10 years ago, the lightweight ST body, polyester front bumpers, bonnet and aluminium doors and engine lid were all finished in the most period and iconic 911 colour- Viper Green.
The original interior still bares the 10,000 rpm tachometer, original seats, original dashboard and steering wheel.
Mechanically the engine has been rebuilt with an aluminium 65' house, double ignition, 2.5 ST MFI. Added to this are the homologated slide valves and Fuchs exhaust system, help the car to develop a staggering 262 hp.
Complete with FIA HTP papers and a German TUF and road papers this 911 S/T is legal for road events as well as track. Early 911s continue to be highly competitive in the historic racing and rally scene- while making for one of these most popular and usable vintage sports cars for the road. These earliest models possess a unique purity and elegance, and as one of the first of the breed of cars with a sole purpose to win competition S/T models are by far the most sought-after.
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