The Porsche 911 needs no introduction to sports car fans. Continuous development over the last 60 years has ensured it remains one of the most desirable cars for an enthusiast to own and with `hot off the press` editions like the new 911S/T, the company makes sure the deep and illustrious history of the model remains. However, what about the original 911S/T? The car that the latest edition has taken its inspiration from? That, too, has an interesting history, probably more so due to its genuine competition lineage.
During the era of early 911 production, Porsche was continuously developing their road cars for competition, and with great success. Keen to see customers using their cars in the same manner, they created a series of performance accessories that could be ordered directly from the factory to upgrade a standard car either after or during production. In 1969, a race-oriented version of the 911 was launched, known internally as the S/T (the name stood for Sport Touring). The original was based on the 911 T with a 2.3-litre engine, whilst the later 2.5 was usually based on the 911S and internally known as the SR. However, most are referred to as a 2.5 S/T today.
Interestingly, unlike the ’73 RS that followed, there is no particular defining characteristic for an S/T. Each could be made with different combinations of racing components offered by Porsche to suit the intended use. Whether it was for rally or race, your new 911 could be equipped accordingly.
Today, period specification S/Ts with a strong competition history are highly prized, not only for their investment potential but for their competitiveness and eligibility in historic motorsport. Ten minutes behind the wheel of a fully lit FIA specification car will quickly confirm that whilst enormous fun, they are not an easy companion away from their intended stomping ground at the circuit, and because they were created with the simple purpose to win in competition, the fit and finish was a bit raw around the edges.
Fast-forward five decades and the modified Porsche scene looks very different today. Singer is possibly the most prolific, with its reimagined S/T style wrapped around a later 964 platform. Our own PS Autoart department has been creating bespoke 911s for the last twenty years, often to a client’s unique requirements, so when approached by a father and son to create their perfect `dad and lad` specification 911, we were perfectly placed to help.
The brief was an S/T style 911 that looks immediately familiar and evocative of its early 70s time and place, but to have a technical specification and build quality made possible with the advanced engineering knowledge of today, something we specialise in with our PS Autoart programme. It also needed to be quick and easy to drive, as both would share the car for sprinting and hill climbs, yet civilised enough to use for extended road use when required. It also had to be based on a platform that was over 40 years old to qualify for historic vehicle status, yet unlike an original 1972 ST, it had to be RHD.
Lastly, as short completion time was a priority, it was agreed that the engine and bodywork would be outsourced to trusted third parties, before final assembly at our workshop here in Little Maplestead.
A very sound 1977 RHD donor car was quickly sourced that had already been the subject of some high-quality restoration work by Norfolk Premier Coachworks, so once mechanically stripped and all soundproofing removed, this was sent for a full body ST conversion using steel panels throughout with fibreglass front and rear bumpers as in period. Unlike an original car, the brief was to carry out this work with meticulous panel gaps and metalwork, particularly ensuring the correct specific wing profile was achieved before painting in the chosen colour of Meissen Blue to a standard we expect today.
Window frames were stripped and correctly anodised before being fitted with a new set of lightweight Lexan windows with aluminium retaining straps for the rear screen and a new glass windscreen. Lastly, a rear grill was manufactured here at PS inspired by mesh items fitted to competition cars, but carefully formed and shaped to fit over the air cleaners located beneath.
Something we pay particular attention to here at PS Autoart when building a car is understanding the client’s intended use. The intended final kerb weight would be heavier than a fully stripped competition-spec car. However, it would still hover around the magic tonne (1000 KGs) when fitted with a fabricated roll cage and strut brace to stiffen the shell. Tempting as it often sounds to go fully stiff on damping, bushes and larger torsion bars, particularly when combined with a kerb weight that has been reduced by some margin over the original donor car, this often makes for uncompromising and nervous car to drive on anything less than a super smooth surface, as it is simply too stiff and light.
The original suspension was rebuilt to standard specification and fitted with Bilstein dampers. This set up also works very well with the chosen wheel and tyre combination, allowing for confidence inspiring directional change and maximum traction at all times. Similarly, the standard calliper and disc combination is not only light but perfectly adequate when weight is removed elsewhere for this car’s intended use, so this was renewed.
The donor car already had a recently rebuilt gearbox by Tuthill with a new limited-slip differential. A new fuel tank with a centre fill conversion was fitted, and the electrical system was inspected and restored, including modern reliability upgrades.
The engine was entrusted to renowned specialist Neil Bainbridge, who was briefed to produce a powerful yet tractable motor with a sharp throttle response. Again, this would ensure rapid acceleration out of some of the tighter corners often found on sprints, hill climbs, and, of course, the odd roundabout.
Enlarged to 3.4 litres with new barrels and pistons, twin plug heads, lightened flywheel, balanced crankshaft, RS spec camshafts, PMO throttle bodies and a bespoke Ryan Edwards exhaust system, all controlled through a Motec ECU. This motor now produces a hefty 320BHP which is a sizeable gain over an original S/T and a lively companion in this 1000KG machine.
Period 8″ Fuchs wheels were sourced for the front, correctly restored in the RSR anodised finish, and genuine 9″ minilites for the rear as fitted to many cars at the time and shod in Michelin TB15 tyres to not only complete the period look, but feel too.
The interior had to capture the lightweight essence of the original cars, but have a level of fit and finish the father and son are more accustomed to in their modern Porsches. All interior panels were made and trimmed here at PS Autoart to capture the period style, with a tighter fit and finish than the originals, whilst black anodised aluminium door pulls and switches were created to replace the usual plastic items for a more tactile and durable feel. Lightweight sound insulation was installed before being trimmed in a black carpet, carefully formed and bound in black leather. Black-coated aluminium footboards were fitted and featured discreet Porsche script in monochrome black and discreet footwell lighting.
A MOMO race steering wheel was fitted, along with an FIA Recaro driver’s seat with Schroth harness belts and a period passenger seat trimmed in corduroy, a layout often seen in historic race cars today. All the dials are modern electronic replacements with period-style faces and needles. More recently, A Numeric gear shifter was installed with a wooden gearknob.
Summary
There are many visual recreations of period racers. However, we feel there will not be many that have been as carefully considered for their intended purpose as this car. It has been a pleasure for our company to work with our clients to create this car that not only has performed as intended but has given them a few class wins in sprints since completion too.
Additionally, it also makes for a friendly and engaging road car, whilst capturing the period visual and aural drama of an original but with modern levels of fit and finish expected of a high-quality modern build today.
Never a duo to stand still for long, another more ambitious itch needs to be scratched. Hence, this unique car is now available for immediate enjoyment of its next custodian.
