Help please – US-spec 1974 Carrera info

[Keith S]

I'm putting together a piece about '74 and '75 Carreras and am having trouble (being on the 'wrong side' of the Pond!) confirming some aspects of the US-spec Carreras of this time.

Can anyone confirm the following for me:
1) Did all 1974 US Carreras have four-speed trannies as stock, with five-speed as an option?
2) Was the 'RS' ducktail spoiler an option or standard fitment in the USA that year? Most US cars I have seen had the ducktail.
3) Did the 74 US Carreras all have black-centered wheels?
4) Did any come with cloth seats (like my Italian version)?
5) Did they all have 'Carrera' side scripts or was that a dealer-fit option?
6) What style of door mirror was fitted as stock? I am guessing the large 'square' chrome type...

Note, I am only asking about the cars sold in the North American market here.

Over to 'the experts' and many thanks for your help!

[Keith S]

Can anyone help? thanks!

[Saffs]

Keith, firstly, I don't know any definitive answers but I can have a few ideas as I've seen a few of them for sale. Number one being, search on the Pelican Car owner Gallery for people with US spec. 2.7 Carreras - also search on oldskul's Owners Gallery too: http://www.owners-gallery.com/ Both are excellent. Ask people about their cars? Possibly taking a lot more energy/time though than you want, I can understand.
OK. I almost every US spec Carrera has had a duck tail, that I've seen. Also, seen black Fuchs and "star" painted ones. Almost every one has had leather interior, I've noted. Indeed, I would agree on the mirrors being the large rectangle ones, too.
I would summarize that the focus on them in the US was more an option laden car, that was *special* and the top of the range, as opposed to the *enthusiasts* track car in the ROW model - not that is what people wanted in the US, but what emission and safety regulations dictated. I would guess that 5 speed was standard too.
Good luck.

[cegerer]

For the US-only 74/75 Carrera:

1) the 4-speed was standard. The 5-speed was a $250 option and Sportomatic was available for $425.

2) the base price of the 74 US Carrera was $13,575 ($1700 more than the mechanically-identical S!).

3) the rear ducktail spoiler was standard on the 74; the rubber-rimmed whale tail (tea tray) spoiler was standard on the 75.

4) for 75, the headlight rims were painted body color.

5) for 75, large rubber 'cushions' were standard on the rear bumper.

6) Some 74's and all 75's had a front spoiler with a rubber extension.

7) for 75, the Targa roll bar was first offered in optional matte black.

8) Fuchs forged alloy wheels were standard. I believe all were black.

9) The large square mirror was standard, although I've seen them with chrome and black versions.

Also, I believe the 'Carrera' script was standard. These US cars were basically for show-only. So the extra $1700 over the S included the graphics, the ducktail, etc. - otherwise they would have been identical to the S. I'll add more if I can find anything. -- Curt

[Carrera Charlie]

Curt,

Excellent post! Thank you for the information since I am one of those lucky '74 Carrera Targa owners. Let me add the following two points to your post:

10) Rear wheel flares were part of the Carrera package. I believe the profile is the same used on the SC.

11) Standard wheels are 6J x 15 (front) & 7J x 15 (rear). Optional wheels are 7J x 15 (front) & 8J x 15 (rear).

I also believe the trailing arms are aluminum on the US Carrera. I will check this evening and post my results.

Regards,
Charlie
'69 911E Targa
'74 Carrera Targa
'89 MB 190E 2.6

[cegerer]

Also, leather interior became standard for the 75 Carrera. I also found one source that indicates "bodyside graphics in special colors and a 3-spoke steering wheel" were standard in 1975 - does this indicate the graphics were optional in 74? Maybe, but every one I've seen has the graphics.

Also, the 74 came standard with an 18mm rear anti-roll bar and 20mm front anti-roll bar.

I used to have an original 1974 911 brochure but gave it away to somebody on this board! I'm sure that listed the standard equipment. -- Curt

[Saffs]

Originally posted by cegerer
For the US-only 74/75 Carrera:

2) the base price of the 74 US Carrera was $13,575 ($1700 more than the mechanically-identical S!).

To be totally anal, but I think, and might be wrong, that the US spec '74 -'77 911S was 160bhp compared to the ROW 911S being 175. The US spec Carrera was like the ROW spec S, and 175bhp.
Make sense? Or am I wrong?

[epbrown]

Sorry, Saffs.

In 1974, the US 911S and the Carrera were 175 hp. The standard 911 was 150hp. The RoW Carrera was 210 hp, the RS 3.0 was 230 hp.

In 1975, the US Carrera and 911S both dropped to 165 hp, the standard 911 was eliminated in the US, while the RoW Carrera stayed at 210 hp.

In 76 and 77, there was no US Carrera, just the standard 911S at 165 hp, while the RoW 3.0 Carrera debuted with to 200 hp, leading to the mighty 911SC.

Basically, in the US the Carrera was an appearance option, rather than a performance upgrade. Sucks.

All this according to Original Porsche 911 by Peter Morgan, pp 66.

Emanuel

[Keith S]

Thanks everybody - especially Curt. Original 911 does have a lot of info but as it's primarily European-based, some of the facts regarding US-spec cars are a little hard to decipher. Things like the mechanical spec are easy to find out but it's the graphics/ducktail stuff that's harder.
Isn't this board great?
Again, many thanks - and if anyone else comes up with anything, let me know!

FYI - Stock European '74 Carreras had no ducktail (option), no graphics (option), either 'star' painted wheels (early ones - mine should have them as it was built in September 1974) or all-black, round Durant mirror on right-hand drive cars and larger square chrome one on left-hookers, chrome headlight rims, vinyl interior (cloth or leather optional) - oh, and a *****in' engine

[Carrera Charlie]

Kieth,

FYI, I checked my '74 Carrera this evening and the rear trailing arms (banana arms?) are aluminum. Good luck with the article ... I'll look forward to seeing it printed. Let us know when it's published.

Regards,

[CARRERIC]

Keith, I read the article on your car " Dream Ticket" congradulations on a beautiful car. In college I had a 1974 911 US Carrera coupe. I now own a 1975 911 US Carrera coupe #266, ordered with almost every available option including sport seats. Regarding Carrera script I believe this was standard. However my car was originally ordered with script deleted from factory, as shown on my copy of the original window sticker. I have since added this side script to the car myself (red). Origianl script colors offered in White, Black or Gold. I will try to post you a copy of the window sticker if interested. The side mirror on both my cars were flat black to match the anodized black trim, and only mounted on drivers side. I believe dual mirrors was an option.

One Carrera Guru you should contact is Richard Tillotson, President of the 1974-1975 911 U.S. Carrera Registry.
TEL: 727 789 0691
e-mail: USCARRERA@AOL.COM


ERIC

[cegerer]

Here's the link to the thread where I gave away my 74 brochure. You might be able to eMail Alan who I sent it to and see if the specs are listed.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58790&highlight=1974+911+brochure

-- Curt

[Saffs]

Originally posted by epbrown
Sorry, Saffs.

In 1974, the US 911S and the Carrera were 175 hp. The standard 911 was 150hp. The RoW Carrera was 210 hp, the RS 3.0 was 230 hp.

In 1975, the US Carrera and 911S both dropped to 165 hp, the standard 911 was eliminated in the US, while the RoW Carrera stayed at 210 hp.

In 76 and 77, there was no US Carrera, just the standard 911S at 165 hp, while the RoW 3.0 Carrera debuted with to 200 hp, leading to the mighty 911SC.

Basically, in the US the Carrera was an appearance option, rather than a performance upgrade. Sucks.

All this according to Original Porsche 911 by Peter Morgan, pp 66.

Emanuel

It seems less bhp than we thought in '75:

And here's a picture of a US spec '75 Carrera from the 1975 Brochure, which I didn't know I had! If you need anymore info from the brochure, Keith, let me know.

[leecarrera]

Interesting thread. I have a 1974 USA Carrera that I bought in June of 1975 from the original owner. On the Certificate of Authenticity there are two areas. One deals with standard equipment and lists the model year and type, the engine number, the transmission number, the paint code and the interior material and color. My car has a five speed and blue/black partial leather (just seats) so I assume these were stardard items for a USA Carrera. On the optional equipment list is the California Equipment (which may have reduced the horsepower although the only smog equipment is PCV), bumpers with impact absorbers (which I think were standard on all USA cars in 1974), 88 amp/hr battery, heavy duty starter, front oil cooler (loop), Bilstein shocks (I also think these were standard on USA Carreras), rear spoiler (ducktail), tinted glass and fog lights. My car originally had the 6 and 7 inch wheels with the "star" paint scheme with black backround and gold carrera graphics on the side and ductail. The headlight rings and fog lights were in chrome and the rest of the trim was black anodized (which has now faded to blue as did most of the early black trim). The car also has electric window lifts but this is not mentioned anywhere in the certificate so I'm assuming these were standard in the Carrera. I know the stabalizer bars mentioned in another post were standard on the Carrera. There is also no mention of a radio which it has.
I also have a ROW 1975 Carrera with the 210 DIN motor that I just finished a two year restoration of. Believe me when I say it is a different car even though it visually is very similiar to the 1974. It was purchased by someone who missed the 1973RS and wanted a factory clone. Its only signifigant option on the certificate is sport seats.
Obviously there are other options like full leather interior, hood graphics, sunroof, air conditioning, etc. There were special orders mostly I think to delete things or specify a special color. Most 1974's have a black driver's side mirror but if you ordered the car without black trim it was chrome. In 1975 most mirrors were the exterior paint color. The factory picture shown in another post is a pre production picture of a 1975 model and if you look closely it is a USA model (CIS injection) but it still has the small bumperettes on the rear which when they finally got to the USA were the larger ones (so it is a little of the 1974 model too). On the 1974 7 and 8 inch wheels were available as a dealer option but I would be very surprised if any came from the factory although anything is possible at the end of the model year. I do not think any of the 1974 cars came with all black center fuchs and if they are around they may have been updated to the 7's and 8's by the dealers and that was the color scheme on the 8's that was most readily available.
I would be very interested in hearing from other 1974 or 1975 Carrera owners. The cars are under appreciated considering they are very much like the earlier cars to drive although there lack of the MFI engine does change their personality which I can attest to because of my ability to drive both versions.

[leecarrera]

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of the 1974 (this is a factory original preservation car) and the 1975 restoration that I have done more in the mode of the 1974 but which has all the original pieces (black centered wheels, factory whale tail, correct air induction heater box, etc) which I may get done for this years Parade but it looks doubtful.

[cfries]

This is great, finally I found some answers I've been looking for. I have a 75 Carrera #81 with leather seats, electric sunroof and windows, A/C, whale tail, chrome headlight rings but black fog lights, and a black drivers side mirror (which I sold and put in flags on either sides, now maybe I shouldnt have). I always wondered why my headlight rings were the only thing chrome and nothing else. The car now has a 2.8 carb engine. I am the 4th owner and know the 2nd and 3rd which is great for the history. I also have lots of receipts. the first owner I heard is a Minnisota hall of famer from UofM. His name is Chuck Forman. I am trying to validate that information. Wondering how can I do that.

[leecarrera]

I looked at your picture and of course there are a lot of updates. Your headlight rings were probably originally painted the color of the car ( probalby the standard eyelid type) and were the USA sealed beams. At sometime the headlights were upgraded to the chrome H-4 (could be a H-1 I can't tell from the angle) and left that way although you could get the plastic covers which go over the chrome rings and paint them the color of the car which is how the later cars were done. It looks like the car has the 16 inch wheel but with the correct full black center for a 1975 look. The flag mirrors are definitely later year car additions and are safer but take a little away from the early car look. At this point all of these things are personal preference and I think everyone should do their car the way they want it. I would love to have that black mirror you gave up. I have found plenty of chrome ones but would love to find one that was originally not a chrome finish because these are hard to get paint to stick to unless you take them completely apart and have the finish chemically stripped. Maybe someone out there has one they want to part with. If you haven't gotten your Certificate of Authenticity you should. Even though there seem to be mistakes made in them they are a nice complement to the car.

[cfries]

Yes, they are H1's but I have always seen the eyelid type for 75. The wheels are 16X7 and 8. Funny thing about the mirror, it was painted black and poorly. Stripped off the paint and it was chrome. I dont think the original black would have come off so easily. I've done a lot of updates because I like to use the car for DE and I feel thats what these cars were meant to do...drive and have fun.

[jtkkz]

Originally Posted by Saffs

To be totally anal, but I think, and might be wrong, that the US spec '74 -'77 911S was 160bhp compared to the ROW 911S being 175. The US spec Carrera was like the ROW spec S, and 175bhp.
Make sense? Or am I wrong?

you are correct on the HP

the '74 Carrera also had RS rear flares

I believe the sway bars are larger too on the Carrera compared to standard 74 911. They also have the alloy brake calipers.

some of the wheels came with black centers some came in gold

most have Carrera side script

'74 came with ducktail, '75 whale tail

[leecarrera]

The majority of 1974 Carreras had SC type quarter panels rather than the butt welded RS fenders of the '73 RS. The change came around #125 in the serial numbers but I have never been able to find the exact number of the last car with the RS flare. As far as the finish of the Fuchs wheels the majority were the traditional finish of the '68 thru the '73. On select exterior colors the gold finished wheel was used in conjunction with the gold Carrera side graphic. I believe in late '73 and early '74 the only eight inch Fuchs wheel was from the RSR and had a different finish from the stock wheels but later in the year the eight inch factory wheel was produced with a black center and became the combo of the sevens and eights of the 1975 Carreras which were black centers. Some owners who upgraded to the sevens and eights on their 1974s ended up with black centered wheels so all four would match. I had a pair of the RSR wheels and later had them refinished to match the original sevens which I'm sure some owners did but I remember that if you went to the dealer and wanted sevens and eights on your '74 you most likely ended up with the 1975 looking set up. I have included a couple of pictures of my '74 with the side script and the sevens and eights in 1974, a picture of the RSR wheel that was available at the time, and as it is today.