From Steve McQueen to Jo Siffert

[Porsche]

Put the sporto back in. And the 2.4S. A prototype 2.4S sporto with that history - that is a rare beast indeed!

[Milou]

I think the entire door was replaced by Marc and the new one had holes for a second mirror.

When Marc purchased the 2.2S it was dismantled and 70% complete. The last owner told me that when he "got rid" of the car in 1985 it had considerably rusted so I imagine the doors where too damaged to be kept...

I went to see Florian Vetsch, who sold the car in 1981 this morning (garage Auto Rallye Grand Saconnex). He remembered the car (the sticker on the engine cover is his), and its Sportomatic transmission, and will research his archives to find out where the car was before 1981. The real odd thing, is that his garage is 10 yards away from a street in Geneva named "Jo Siffert".

[fryardds]

Milou,

Great detective work on your car's history. It certainly makes ownership more fun and interesting. All the better to find out that Jo Siffert had Porsche install a unique motor/trans combo. I certainly hope you are successfull finding these and putting them back in your car. Thanks for sharing.

[Milou]

The previous owner of the Siffert 911 finally accepted to sell the original engine and gearbox back to Marc....he just got it back this weekend after a year's effort.

It's all there with its original Sportomatic transmission and engine "6329003", matching the engine number the factory gave me.

Before delivering the 2.2S to Siffert in the Spring of 1971, the factory removed the original engine and placed the 3rd Sportomatic 2.4S engine produced...

I will try and take photos next week.

I don't think I will change the engine back (not crazy about the Sportomatic shift) but I'm glad the original engine is back with the car....

[Carl Bauer]

Milou,

Here's another image of Siffert in front of his dealership.

[Paul Schooley]

The mere fact that you have the original (to the car as delivered) engine and tranny available for the car is enough. Enjoy that thing and pass it all along together to the next 'custodian' of it when the time comes.

[Milou]

I went to see the engine this morning and it's really incredible:

A hybrid between a 2.2S and a 2.4S, one of the first experimental 2.4 engine built. It doesn't even seem to have been opened:

Here is a copy of the factoy registry page I received from Porsche (chassis 1180):



The engine number has been crossed out and replaced with "6329003" by the "versuch" department for Siffert.



Here is the engine:


Engine number (no "star" stamped on either side):



It's all there:



Even the sportomatic gearbox:

[fryardds]

milou,

Agreed, this is a huge plus for your Siffert 911. It is so cool to see the Factory documents and the unique engine # stamping. Do you think you could take and post a clear photo of the engine stamping? I am curious about the stamping font compared with other '71 engines. Thanks for sharing.

[Milou]

Thank you. I tried and took several photographs of the engine number and it just wouldn't come out....I'll try again next weekend when I return to the garage.

[Milou]

At last, I found a period photograph of the 911 belonging to Siffert. The photograph was taken at le Mans in the Gulf paddock. "FR10032" were Siffert's plates: