Mexico Blue Stunner

Update March 5, 2013: This is now being offered through a dealer for 130,000 (approx. $182k USD)

Posted December 18, 2012: This stunning 1974 Carrera is in one of the most beautiful period colors Porsche used in the mid-1970s. While seller doesn't state original options it is currently well equipped with Recaro Sports seats,  7" and 8" Fuchs, ducktail (not original for German delivered cars), full leather interior. The black Fuchs have the correct clear anodized wheel center cap finish for 1974. Buyers should note that this may have a non-original, but correct 911/83 type, engine with original engine number stamped on a removable plate.

A few other minor things could be done by a buyer who wanted to correct small details. For instance, the missing Carrera badge on the tail and front rubber spoiler wasn't introduced until the whale tail. In all, a potentially very nice Carrera worth a look by anyone searching for a MFI Carrera 2.7.

Description from seller:

Carrera 2.7 von November 1973 (1.KFZ-Brief ist vorhanden) aus Zahnarzt-Erstbesitz, Fahrzeug war komplett zerlegt und wurde von der rostfreien Rohkarosse unter Verwendung von Neuteilen perfekt aufgebaut, das Fahrzeug hat die seltene Voll-Lederausstattung ab Werk und ist im Innenraum nicht restauriert aber neuwertig erhalten, viele Extras ab Werk Sportsitze, getönte Scheiben, Sperre, Scheinwerferwaschanlage, 7+8 x 15 Felgen, Heckbürzel nachgerüstet da für den dt. Markt damals nicht erlaubt, die Mexicoblaue Lackierung ist von erstklassischer Qualität und rundherum weniger als 100 my stark. Da die Restaurierung ca 20 Jahre zurückliegt wirkt der Wagen wie ein unrestauriertes Exemplar im Jahreswagenzustand, selbstverständlich ohne Kratzer oder Beulen. Es gibt ein Handbuch aber kein Scheckheft. Ich glaube nicht, dass es einen besseren oder authentischeren Carrera 2.7 gibt.

Rough English translation of description:

Carrera 2.7 from November 1973 (1.KFZ-letter is available) was a dentist. One owner car was completely disassembled and rebuilt by the stainless body shell using new parts. The vehicle has a rare full-leather interior from the factory and is in the interior not restored but mint get a lot of extras from the factory sport seats, tinted windows, lock, headlamp washers, 7 +8 x 15 rims. Ducktail retrofitted because the German market is not allowed in those days. The Mexico blue finish is of excellent quality. Since the restoration about 20 years ago the car acts like an unrestored copy with no scratches or dents, of course. There is a manual but no checkbook. I do not think there is a better or more authentic Carrera 2.7.




Working 911/83 Scale Model

Now for something unusual to wish for as your holiday gift this year. That is if you can find one.

During the mid-1990s the Japanese Marushin model company made a 1:8 working scale model of the 911/83 Carrera RS 2.7 engine under license agreement from Porsche AG. Not only does this work, but apparently can run up to 5,500 RPM. The engine runs on compared air with all the movable parts operating as it would on the real thing including functioning crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, rocker arms, and valves.

Just as impressive are the materials used when manufacturing the over 500 component parts (not including hundreds of screws) that make up this model. Everything from cast zinc, aluminum, copper, steel, brass, rubber, and plastic was used. For example, just like the original the exhaust box is in metal while the MFI air intake is plastic.

Carefully packed in a wooden case the model also came with tools for assembly and an English instruction manual.


See this photo gallery for photos of the many detailed parts that make up this unusual 911/83 engine model.


One of the Marushin 911/83 scale models is currently offered on eBay in Japan with an optomistic price tag. These rare models sold for around $1000 new back in the 1990s and now trade hands for a few thousand dollars.


Restoration & Preservation Philosophies

The philosophies around restoration and preservation of classic cars have been undergoing a significant change over the last several years as the collector car hobby has continually matured. The value of barn finds and preserved cars now surpassing that of the best concours restorations. Only a few years ago every car that was even a driver condition car was considered for restoration. Now the mantra "a car is only original once" is a well known phrase on most enthusiasts tongues. Further changes influencing the collector car hobby was the introduction of preservation classes at the very top concours as well as a slowly changing mentality to judge cars based on authenticity over beauty and cleanliness.

As we approached restoring the 1976 Carrera MFI 2.7 chassis #911 660 9050 there were many points that we had to think hard about whether to preserve vs replace original. Fortunately the team assembled to tackle this restoration were also very sympathetic to the notion of attempting to preserve as much as possible rather than the often more common approach of just replacing parts with new items. While this often makes for a crisp restoration much of what made the car special when it left the factory may be gone.

Unfortunately #9050 wasn't in any sort of shape to be an untouched preservation car. The paint had been partially sanded and was covered in overspray from sitting in several body shops over a decade. There were dents and dings that had been repaired to the standards of a typical body shop rather than a high quality restoration. Speaker holes on the doors had been enlarged to put a thumping system popular in the 1980s and 90s. Not to mention rust had set in some of the common places for a 911.

However, there were also a significant amount of very original aspects to #9050 including the grease pencil markings on doors and dash, the majority of mechanical parts were original and date coded from 1976, original panels and wing, galvanized and under body coatings largely untouched, original sound deadening, etc. Carefully each component was removed, inspected, and photographed in its current state. Research was done to determine how to read the date codes as a way of determining if each part was indeed original to the car. As defects were found or original finishes were questioned additional research was done to compare to photos of other Carreras known to be fairly original, or at least against photos from a sample of several cars built the same month. In some cases where the original item was replaced or missing it becomes necessary to track down a period correct, and if possible date code correct, NOS or used replacement. In the end this is still a restoration, but one that errs more on the side of attempting to preserve some of the nuances of how the car left the factory.

Another angle is how you deal with short comings that existed when a car originally came from the factory vs taking advantage of all the improved engineering since then. An example of this are the upgraded Carrera chain tensioners. Do you install the correct original chain tensioners, known not to have a long lifetime in a regularly used 911, or do you install the reengineered pressure fed chain tensioners from a mid-1980s Carrera? In our case for #9050 we have decided to stick with originality and install the original chain tensioners. Part of the reasoning was the car wouldn't see daily use so racking up the 40k-50k miles where you start seeing failures with the original chain tensioners might take a decade or two. The engine would be serviced well before then and the chain tensioners inspected on a more regular basis.

Each individual embarking on the restoration of a car needs to choose how they would like to approach the project. Are they restoring to make it a really nice car, perhaps even better than when it left the factory? Are they trying to win show and shine concours? Are they restoring it primarly to be mechanically sound to maximize enjoyment behind the wheel? Are they attempting to maintain as much authenticity as possible about the car for future generations to appreciate? In the end this is a very personal choice and should be decided before the restoration begins. The approaches taken can be very different depending on the desired result, as well as the costs involved. For example, preserving a cars authenticity can often be significantly more expensive due to all the details that need to be done differently or just the labor involved versus simply replacing items. In the end there is no "right way". It is up to the judgement of those tackling a restoration project along with pursuing constant self education on the latest techniques and philosophy behind preservation and authenticity.


For those interested in what is happening or being considered for the very top end of significant cars, e.g. cars that transcend well beyond the merely rare Carrera RS or 300SL Gullwing such as a Le Mans winning 917, a good academic read is The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles. The book was put together by Fred Simeone as a collection of thoughts, insights, and responses from some of the worlds top restorers, historians, collectors, photographers, and dealers. The book is organized into a series of essays contributed by T.E. Berrisford, Miles Collier, Malcolm Collum, Stephen duPont, Michael Furman, L. Scott George, Mark Gessler, Ed Gilbertson, Evan Ide, Leigh Keno, Leslie Keno, Miles Morris, and Carmel Roberts each section has commentary added by Fred Simeone. A full table of contents can be found on the Simeone Automotive Museum website.

You can also see more about the restoration of the 1976 Carrera MFI 2.7 #9050.


Viper Green '76 MFI

Update 12/27/2012: This Carrera has sold and enroute to a lucky new owner.

Posted 12/1/2012: This viper green 1976 Carrera 2.7 was previously listed in February, however the seller removed the listing because he had too much going on in his life at the time. He's now ready to sell and answer questions from the buyer.

Documentation with the car includes a copy of the original Fahrzeugbrief listing at least the first three owners of the car in Germany.

Details from seller:

Sold new in Germany on 7/7/1976 chassis #9116609119 was originally Cockney Brown, but now painted Viper Green. Black leather, but seats aren't perfect. No rust on the body, no scratches or dents. Engine rebuilt 10,000 kms ago. 5-speed LSD gearbox rebuilt 1,500 kms ago. Bilstein suspension, brakes, etc. changed with new original Porsche parts. All seals were changed when repainted approximately 7 years ago.

Price just reduced from €95,000 to €90,000 (roughly $117k USD) by private seller. For more information contact Yves at [email protected] or 0033(0) 6 64 34 29 72.