1971 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 arrived in 1964, replacing the previous 356 model that had built the fledgling company's reputation as a producer of sporting cars. The 911 would build upon this pedigree, taking the reputation to an even more exalted level on both the road and the racetrack.

The first of many updates arrived in 1966 with the introduction of the 911S, set apart by its Fuchs alloy wheels and powered by a heavily revised engine developing 160 bhp. The top speed increased by 10mph to 135mph.

In 1969, the wheelbase of the 911 was lengthened, resolving some of the handling criticisms of the early models, and then in 1970, the engine received its first of many enlargements, to 2.2-liters.

The next generation 911 was given the larger 2.2-liter horizontally-opposed flat-six engine with an 84-millimeter cylinder bore. Horsepower rose to just over 142 (SAE) and torque nearly reached 150 foot-lbs. The larger displacement size resulted in more low-speed torque and cleaner emissions. Steering was improved by adjusting the attachment points for the front suspension by moving them forward slightly. The lengthened wheelbase, an increase of 57 millimeters to 2,268 millimeters, resulted in more interior space and improved handling. Additional improvements included larger intake and exhaust valves, a larger 225-millimeter clutch package, and oil squirters were added in the crankcase to improve piston cooling. The Porsche 911 for 1971 received three-speed windscreen wipers and the fuel pump was relocated to the front of the car.

The 911 was available in three different series, the 911T, 911E, and the 911S and was available as either a Coupe or a Targa. A ZF limited-slip differential was available as optional equipment. The engine found in the 911T featured a Zenith carburetor (replacing the previous Weber carburetors) while the 911E and 911S had a Bosch mechanical fuel injection system.

The 911E came standard with self-leveling suspension struts and was optional on all other models. The 911E was powered by a 175 SAE engine while the 911S offered an impressive 200 SAE output. The 911T had a four-speed manual transmission. A five-speed manual or four-speed Sportomatic was optional. The 911E had a five-speed manual with the Sportomatic optional; the 911S came only with a five-speed manual. Disc brakes were standard on all models. Fuchs aluminum alloy wheels were standard equipment on the E. The suspension was comprised of MacPherson struts in the front with single lower transverse A-arms and longitudinal torsion bars. The rear independent setup used semi-trailing arms and transverse torsion bars. The 911E and 911S added an anti-roll bar to the front and rear.

Aside from the RS, the 911S was the top-of-the-range 911 and was equipped with the most sporting equipment and most potent engine. The 21955cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine had a higher compression ratio of 9.8:1 (the 911E had 9.0:1 compression and the 911T had 8.6:1 compression). It developed 200 (SAE) horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 164 lb-ft of torque. The S model came with special gear ratios in its five-speed manual transaxle that included overdrive in fifth gear. The new gear ratio spacing enabled the 911S to reach 60 MPH in just eight seconds.

For 1972, all 911 variants were equipped with the 4.2-liter unit, by which time the 911S featured the stronger Type 915 five-speed gearbox and 6 x 15 alloy wheels as standard equipment.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019