1969 or 1972. Which is better?

[teachkenpo]

If you had to make a choice between buying a 1969T, or a 1972T mfi, which way would you go. Assume both cars are the same condition, well documented and have similar miles. Which would you rather own long term.

[Flieger]

You can't go wrong either way. I like MFI and the oil door but the 901 gearbox is cooler with the road-race shift pattern.

[JL72911]

1972.. oil door, 2.4, 915, mfi, 3+ years of engineering refinements..

Disclosure: I own one..

[1971 911T]

since your garage list all pre '69, time to try a 72. i have a 71, and wish i had a 72. but i wouldn't wishlist a 71 if i owned a 72 i guess.

[jackb911]

Having owned a '70, '71 and two '72's, if I were in the market for another longhood it would definitely be a 1972 model. Or a MFI '73.

[teachkenpo]

I appreciate the replies on this. Having all SWB cars, I have no experience with the early LWB cars. In actuality, each car needs different amounts of work to restore it to , so that is why I am asking which would have more value once restored to identical condition. I know what it would cost to do all the work, just not sure which is a better long term keeper. I suspect the 72 may be more collectible, but not sure.

[tobluforu]

I would think the three door is more collectable just because of the third door and the fact that I have one?

[Jeff Higgins]

The '69 2.0 liter "T" motor is a real dog, and has a lot of less than desireable parts in it (cast, non-counterweighted crank, smaller valves than the "E" and "S", etc.). The 2.4 liter "T" motor shares cranks with the "E" and "S" motors, and valves. The only real differences are the cast iron cylinders ("E" and "S" were biral), lower compression, milder cams, and smaller ports. The 2.4 "T" on MFI is a surprisingly strong motor. In a lightweight '72, it has no trouble keeping up with - or staying ahead of - SC's and Carreras. It's a great little motor. Add in the cool oil door on the '72, and it's no contest.

[Gogar]

Yeah 72.

[RWebb]

'72

I'd put a '70 or '71 transmission in it to get the road racing shift pattern.

[Tom F2]

You have to worry more about rust with the 69. The 72 has galvanized floor pan, longitudinals and inner structure. These hold up much better than the completely ungalvanized early cars.

[deathpunk dan]

72 hands down. MFI, significantly better torque curve plus 30 more peak hp, some galvanized parts, 1 yr only oil door, CDI (69T has kettering), easier to find a distributor for it and way easier to hot rod (2.2 E pistons and E cams).

downside is 1st yr 915 but slap a rennshift or wevo in it with fresh bushings and who cares.