1973 Porsche 911 2.4T Targa

Delivered new to Verona, Italy, in 1973, this splendid LHD manual 911 2.4T Targa is a matching numbers car and in really very impressive all-round condition.

The vendor, who is well-known to us, is rationalising his enviable collection – hence this car’s very welcome presence at our Oxfordshire HQ.

The car was bought by a UK owner and imported here in 1986, at which point the car’s engine was stripped and completely rebuilt, and some other mechanical and aesthetic work was carried out.

We know, courtesy of a letter of authentication from Porsche, that the car was ‘Aubergine’ with a ‘Beige Leatherette’ interior when it left the factory. The V5 tells us that by the time it was registered in the UK in 1986, it had a black exterior.

The vendor has only had the car a few months. To reassure himself that all was well, he took the car to be assessed by Porsche Specialist Services of Romford, Essex.

They carried out a service on the car, gave it a clean bill of health mechanically and dynamically, and reported back with a short list of advisories, which are as follows.

• High beam tell-tale not working
• Dip beam tell-tale only working on side lights
• Oil level showing too high on dash
• Left-hand washer jet not working
• Indicators not staying on sometimes
• Fuel tank warning light comes on intermittently whilst driving
• Headlamp aim too high on left 
• Right rear lamp earth problem.

The vendor has not had a chance to rectify these minor faults.

We know from an invoice that the car’s odometer read 7,541 kms in 1986, and from an old MoT certificate that the odometer reading was 49,260 kms in 1996.

Today, it reads 49,729 kms, which we think almost certainly indicates that the odometer has not been working for a while. 

It is not concours, but it is very, very good and presents exceptionally well from every angle.

As with many 911s of this vintage it takes a little gentle coaxing to get it going from cold, but once it’s warmed up it purrs along contentedly to a reassuringly familiar soundtrack of air-cooled throatiness.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents, creases, folds or ripples of any consequence and the black paintwork has an impressive depth of lustre and shine wherever you look.

The panels are smooth and even, and the gaps and shut-lines are crisp and consistent. The doors close with plenty of Teutonic heft.

The Fuchs wheels (all five of them) are in very good order and, as ever, go a long way to making 911s of this vintage look as pretty as they undoubtedly do. 

The Targa roof appears to be in very decent condition aside from a small hole in the vinyl cover at the rear and a patch or two of missing paint on the metal edges. 

It seems to fit reasonably well, but we didn’t drive it in the rain so can’t vouch for its ultimate ability to keep the weather out. 

All badging and exterior fixtures and fittings look to be both in excellent order and entirely period-correct, as far as we can tell.

There are one or two light scratches on top of the n/s/f wing and a small split to the rubber on the o/s/r bumper surround.

The fabric trim between the ‘B’ pillars and the side windows has faded to grey.

The good news continues unabated on the inside, where everything looks to be decent, pretty much free of any meaningful damage or wear, and in commendably impressive condition. 

The seats (front and back) and black vinyl seat covers are seemingly untroubled either by use or time and look to be in good condition. 

The door cards are intact and free of holes or splits that we can see, but there is a rough, pimply patch on the driver’s door card.

The carpets and mats have held up well. 

There is a section of the roof lining fabric dangling down and wanting to be re-affixed, and some of the trim around the parcel shelf is lifting slightly.

The steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever are all in irreproachably fine fettle, and the instruments and dials look good.

The frunk is good, too, and contains a Fuchs spare wheel.

The engine bay appears to be in order although, as it’s a 911, there’s not much to see. 

We think the Battery could do with being replaced as it is reluctant to take a charge. 

The vehicle’s undersides look very decent and appear to be possessed of a great deal of structural integrity.

The vehicle has a clear HPI check.

There is some paperwork relating both to its time an Italy and in the UK. 

It comes with a few invoices and receipts detailing both older and newer work, some old MoT certificates, a letter of authentication from Porsche, and a copy of a ’73 model-year owners’ manual. 

This appears to be a fine, low mileage example of an achingly pretty 2.4T Targa.

The vendor is a classic car enthusiast who we know only buys good examples of anything.

And this seems to us to be a very good example.

We think it ticks all the right boxes and is just a few minor jobs away from winning deeply admiring, envious glances wherever it goes.

We are happy to offer this splendid vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.