Fs: 1972 911s Targa Sporto

[RONWISER]

This is a real numbers matching 1972 911S Targa with the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity that verifies the numbers. VIN is 9112310646 and engine number is 6129107.
The car has been repainted in its original factory Sepia Brown color (code 7410). The interior has been redone in Black. The prior owner babied this car for 13 years, and updated many parts and restored the car interior and exterior for local comcours. I am the 3rd US owner since the car was imported in 1986.



The car is European with about 118,000 miles; all records since it was imported from England were kept and available in a book with all receipts and pictures of the restoration. Comes with options documented in COA of tinted (green) glass and rear wiper. Pictures of restoration work were kept along with dozens of receipts. This car was entered in local concours judging by the prior owner with top three finishes. As can be seen the paint looks very nice and is an original early 911 color.



The car has a Sportomatic transmission, which is a four speed; you shift through the gears but there is no clutch pedal. It is a fun driving experience, and seems the Sporto feels like it has more low end torque than the 5 speed manual car. There are very few 1972 911S Sporto’s around – the prior owner did not know of any others - this might the be last one – probably a lot of them were converted to the five speed manual. The 190 hp MFI engine looks to be all original, and is very clean – and is the original numbers matching engine documented on the COA.



This is a nice car, but not the restoration is not finished. It can be used as a very nice looking driver. It will need additional restoration work if you want it perfect. If you want a perfect 1972 911S, be prepared to pay $40,000 or more. The 1972 model 911 is unique because of the external oil tank door on the right hand side of the car. This is a car you can drive all summer and then upgrade with body and mechanical work in the winters. The car was restored and repainted in 1995, but not a windows out, panels off restoration. There is now bubbling of paint on the bottoms of both doors and the front fender bottoms – so a repaint will be needed. All major rust has been repaired in 2003 and documented with pictures. A new front pan was put in and undercoating applied – the front end of the car is now very solid.



The engine looks very clean but should have a reseal and I would plan to install the Carrera tensioners to protect the valuable S engine from timing belt problems. If you’re handy, a lot of the work can be done for less money. The engine is complete with the MFI and starts and runs fine. The oil lines were replaced recently by the prior owner and all major rust has been repaired – with pictures to prove the repair. All receipts and pictures from the last 13 years come with the car. I have the inspection done by Steinel’s in NE Ohio that lists all mechanical issues they found on the car – this was going to be my roadmap on continuing the restoration of the car. Engine starts right up and drives well. Some oil leaks will need to be resealed.

InterioR is very nice with new carpets and recovered seats; wodd grain dash.

The car is sold as-is. I have a clean Ohio title that will transfer. Buyers are welcome to come and look at it and make your own judgement. This car can be brought up to the next level of restoration. It can be converted to the 915 5-speed transmission if the Sportomatic is not your style. At the price I am selling it for, there is a lot of room to take it to much higher level of restoration. More pictures at
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ronfrankohio/album?.dir=/4e04

Price $22,000 is very reasonable for a 911S this nice.

[rbrenner]

Hi Ron,

Pretty car. I am a PCA/POC member, but am not overly familiar with the pre-964 era cars. I have/had 5 cars in the 964/993/996 families, a few of which have been used on both street and track. All have been equipped with tiptronic transmissions. I am very fond of left foot braking. I have driven manual transmission cars, but actually find them less responsive, perhaps due to my familiarity and experience extracting optimal performance from the tiptronic system. I have also driven cars with the Ferrari F1 and BMW SMG systems, as well as two RUF CTR2s with the EKS system. The RUF system is my favorite of the bunch. Among other things, that has raised thoughts about the sportomatic system. Consequently, I have been thinking about a relatively high-performance older 911 so equipped. That said, I have never driven a sportomatic car, and have read both positive and negative reviews. I'd be interested in your experiences.

I recognize that the 190 bhp 1972 911S engine was the max that Porsche produced in that era, and predated some of the changes that occured for passenger safety that increased the weight of the 911. I've never driven an early generation 911, but I have been a passenger on some hot laps in a track-prepped 72/73 Carrera RS. I would be interested in your thoughts on the performance/driveability of these cars. Has the car had any modifications besides partial restoration- suspension, brakes etc?

Again, pretty car.

Regards,
Rob

[RONWISER]

Rob,

I just happen to have a 1972 911S with the 5 speed manual and have been driving both to make comparisons. The first thing you notice between the two cars is the greater torque in starting from a dead-stop, in the Sporto. In the manual S, I almost feel I have to slip the clutch to get the car moving. No such issue in the Sporto, it takes right off. Probably quicker from a dead stop than the manual shifter.

Second observation, most of us know how to shift a manual tranny; the Sporto takes some practice because the gearshifter just feels completely different, as there is no direct mechanical connection, just a hydraulic one (I think). So it takes a little practice to feel secure about what you gear you put it in.

Also, you must take your hand off the shifter to engage the clutch. So no bad habits like driving with your hand resting on the stick.

Porsche ads back in 1968 claim the sporto shifts 'even quicker than before'. Also one of the first Porsche's with sporto won the 1967 Nurburgring 84-hour endurance race, so there is some racing heritage tot he sporto.

Finally, the car is totally stock, no performance mods, as the PO was into concours and restoration.

There were 147 911 S engines with sporto's manufactured in 1972; not clear that many remain in existence because it is fairly easy to convert them to the 915 manual transmission.

Thanks for your interest.

Ron

[RONWISER]

Typo in the engine number; it is 6329107.

One of 147 sporto engines made for the S in 1972.
They ranged from 6329001-6329147.

[RONWISER]

Attached is a picture of the front S spoiler. It is fiberglass, in response to your question.

Thanks,

[hooptie]

it looks nice! is it still for sale?

thanks thomas

[RONWISER]

Yes, still available. A nice looking car.

[wm711]

I had a euro 73 S sporto coupe. The engine was rebuilt, as was the FI pump to 2.7 RS spec...the car was fast. S sportos have a unique torque convertor with a much higher stall speed than non S sportos, 300 RPM higher I think. I took the car to road atlanta for a DE...ive never had as much fun. You need to watch oil temp when running hard, as the oil serves as the fluid for the torque convertor. The thing held something like 17 quarts...my memory fails me on the exact quantity. Sportos are an acquired taste...not for everyone, but I have NEVER spoken with anyone who has experience, real experience, with a sporto that didnt really enjoy the car. I sold it to a friend in Oregon, who took the car to a show in LA a few years back, Mr. Ruf was at the event, and he sought out my friend to inquire about this car, he too is a sporto fan. I have owned many, many cars, this is one I wish I had never sold! my friend sold the car to a fellow in Belgium. The car came from the factory with a Scheel drivers seat, plastic fuel tank... I put an RS steering wheel on...other than that, the interior was original. That 73S Sporto was probably my favorite car I have ever owned! If you ever have a chance to see Peter Gregs personal RS in the Brumos Collection, as my memory serves, it has the appearance of either an RSR or Iroc, and a Sporto gearbox! It is orange in color I think, really nice. I ramble on...

[RONWISER]

Thanks, you said it bettet than I could. The sporto takes some practice but I sense the shifts will be faster than my 5 speed 1972 once I get some more practice. I like having something a bit unique and would keep this car except for the 1972 911S I just bought that popped up locally and was way too good to pass up.

[RONWISER]

Added some more pics to Yahoo link. Finally got a good picture of engine number. Almost readable!
But it is the correct S engine, as shown on the COA.

[RONWISER]

Sorry, here is the link
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ronfrankohio/my_photos