73 S Trim & Options

[MAPC]

I am seeing (and reading) so many different things that I am starting to confuse myself!

FOR A 73 S, on the REAR OF THE CAR:
1. What color should the 2.4 badge be?
2. What color should the grill be?
3. What color should the P O R S C H E be?
4. What color should the 911 S be?

Finally, does anyone have a good, well documented list of the original factory options on a 73 S, and also a lost of what the standard specs/details were that differentiated S from E from T (aside from the obvious mechanicals)?

THANKS GUYS!

[911TE]

The grill should be black anodised, also the PORSCHE letters and the 911S badge.
The 2.4 is silver.
After many years exposed to sun, all the black parts begin to look more or less silver, but you can still see the original black color on the back-sides or in corners where the sun didn`t reach.

Sebastian

[randywebb]

black anodised??

My 73.5 has one that is painted black and the paint is chipping.

At some point, PAG went with a black plastic grill - my '75 had one.

Also, note that US cars might have different trim than Euro models.

[smg911]

Originally posted by 911TE
After many years exposed to sun, all the black parts begin to look more or less silver, but you can still see the original black color on the back-sides or in corners where the sun didn`t reach.

Sebastian

I'm looking into having my rear lid PORSCHE letters and the 911-T emblem restored. I realize they originally came black anodized but has anyone ever had theirs powder coated? I'm thinking about having mine powder coated in a satin finish which I hope looks close to original.

[MAPC]

Does anyone have copies of the original sales brochures fo 73 that may list the options and standard features?

[Jim Sims]

From the Porsche 72-73 illustrated spare parts catalog (original paper edition):

For 1973 911 S:

"Porsche" letters insignia were black.

"911S" insignia was black.

"2.4 l" rear grille mounted insignia was silver with black background.

Grille was black anodized.

The only other exterior trim item " typically" unique (per the catalog) to the 911S (compared to the E and T models) is the under door ornamental trim strip with a rubber insert; the 911S strip has seperate ends while the ornamental strip for the E and T models had integral ends. Note that I have seen a 1973 911 T with the 911S under door ornamental strip. I suspect the factory could choose to do whatever it wanted to ("special wishes" program?) or a later owner or repair shop installed the S strip.

Also note that every one of the "S" options (except the engine of course) were available on the E and T models. This includes wheels, instruments, sway bars, brakes, struts and shocks, external oil cooler, etc. There are significant numbers of the E and T models with many of these "S goodies".

Jim

[911TE]

Jim is right, also my `72 US T has the S-trim under the doors which was available as a option, called "appearance group"

I suspect the US-T and E models to have more of the S-options standard from the factory than in Germany (what is normally stated "standard" by Porsche), as my T has also S-Instruments (Oil level and pressure), which was a option in Germany.
5-speed instead of 4 was an $ 162 option, "appearance group"= S-trim was an $ 182,50 option, sway-bars front and rear was $ 87. (All dates are from a road and track test from February 1972)

On the S, sway bars, S-Brakes, front oil cooler and Fuchs wheels were standard, but not the 5-speed!


Concerning the grill material I´m not absolutely sure. The Porsche Parts catalogue gives different numbers for 1972 (911 559 431 27 also black), 1973 (911 559 431 03) and 1974 (911 559 411 00) grills.
From 1974 to 1989 the grille was black plastic., but as they also switched to black plastic horn grills in the front in 1973 it might have been already a plastic one in 1973.

Powder coating would probably work, but looks a bit different than black anodised.

[billwagnon]

-From 1974 to 1989 the grille was black plastic., but as they also switched to black plastic horn grills in the front in 1973 it might have been already a plastic one in 1973.-


My rear grille is silver metal. I believe silver was offered as an option for the letters and grille in 72 and 73, but can't find definitive proof! I'm pretty sure what I have is original, and there is no indication of black paint in the corners or crevices.

[Jim Sims]

One has to be careful assuming things are original; 30 years means many opportunities for modification or repairs with non-original parts for the year of manufacture. The 70 and 71 grilles are identical to the 72 and 73 grilles except they're silver colored. The 69-71 911T "Porsche" letters were standard in silver but were also available in a gold tone. The 69-71 "911T" insignia were available in sliver or gold. Jim

[RSBob]

Sebastian,


My'73S rear deck letters and 911S script look almost like a brushed silver (not chrome) but are definitely black on the back and on the bottoms of the sides. I thought owners could choose the colors to add, gold, black, chrome, but I definitely do not see a 'silver'. Looks like my black bleached to silver like you said. Thanks for the info!

[RSBob]

Is the black script a flat, semi-gloss, or a gloss finish?

[MAPC]

It is comforting to see that I am not the only one confused by this. From what I can discern, Jim is correct:

"Porsche" letters insignia were black.

"911S" insignia was black.

"2.4 l" rear grille mounted insignia was silver with black background.

Grille was black anodized.

Also, I think that the black anodized grills have frequently faded to what might look a satin/brushed silver tone.

Thanks for all of your help on this. I am in the process of buying a 73 S Targa and I want to be sure that if it isn't already factory correct, that I at least know how to get it back. This particular car has black PORSCHE letters, black 911S, silver 2.4, and faded grill.