How can one tells if a 73E is a 73.5 MY or not?

[flatsixcrazy]

Hello,
I have a '73E, with VIN# 9113201228, and I looking for information whether it is a 73.5 car or not. I searched in the forum archive and looked through Peter Morgan's "Original Porsche 911" book and I was not able to derive a conclusion. Is there a certain VIN # after which can be designated as a "mid-year '73"? TIA.

[fryardds]

Hi Andy,

The 73.5 MY designation really only applies to the T model. This designates the change over to CIS from MFI. The E model was of course MFI all through the 73 MY.

[BOYER73S]

If you want to know if it was built after mid January, which based on the vin may be likely, check the style of horns on the car if they are still original as they changed to the longer red coloured trumpet style in mid January
but as Brian says no designation of 73.5 was given to E models

[hesaputz]

Did only the T get the full rubber bumper horns at the half year? I can't remember whether I've seen an E or S with them.

[Harvey Weidman]

As Brian pointed out the 73.5 refers to the T changeover to CIS. The rest of the 73 smaller production line changes (horns, decals, seat bolts etc) were through out the models.

Only the very early cars had the metal bumperetts and not related to the CIS or the Ts. Each dealer recieved about one or two ? before the rubber bumperetts took over. It is difficult to find and original 73 car that had the metal bumperetts as many were "updated" even before delivery. I have seen a 72 that had the rubber ones installed as soon as they were available (to look like a 73) So much for originality.....
H

[flatsixcrazy]

If you want to know if it was built after mid January, which based on the vin may be likely, check the style of horns on the car if they are still original as they changed to the longer red coloured trumpet style in mid January
but as Brian says no designation of 73.5 was given to E models

Thanks for all the helpful info. The car has 55K documented miles on the clock. It was delivered (at 53 miles) on June 29, 1973 to a Dr. Jack Valpey of the 2nd Gen. Hosp., in Landstuhl, and then transfered (at 28,352 miles) on May 17, 1979 to a Major Carrol Williams of the HQ 97th Signal Brigade . It's sporting the long red horns, so it was built after mid-January. The only reason I brought this up is because I got the car without the screwdriver in the tool kit and all the wrenches (except the double box wrench) says special selected steel. I'd like to know which screwdriver I should keep an eye out for, the two individual red handle 10K volts or the single interchangeable with removable red handle, to complete the kit.