1972 Porsche 911S

The Porsche 911 replaced the 356 in the autumn of 1964, retaining the rear-engine configuration but with unitary construction for the bodyshell, and replacing the 356's Volkswagen-based suspension in favor of more modern McPherson struts and trailing arm arrangement. Its famous, distinctive, and durable design would endure until 1989. From its inception, the 911 was modified both by private racing teams and the Porsche factory itself for racing, rallying, and other automotive competitions, and is among the most successful competition car ever produced.

When introduced, the single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat-six displaced 1991cc and offering 130 horsepower. As the years passed, the engine was continually improved and the displacement size enlarged. It would eventually grow to more than 3.0 liters and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.

In 1966, the first of many upgrades were introduced in the 911S, a model easily distinguishable by its Fuchs five-spoke alloy wheels. They featured a heavily revised engine offering 160 horsepower and a top speed in the neighborhood of 135 mph. A lengthened wheelbase was introduced in 1969 and three different 911 options were available, the T, E, and S, catering to a variety of customer needs. The T was the base model which by 1970 still used carburetion. The E and S variants were both fuel-injected and provided additional power and a higher top speed than the T. The S was the pinnacle of power for the production 911 models.

In 1970, the engine was enlarged to 2.2 liters. In 1972, all 911 variants received the 2.4-liter (2,341cc) unit, by which time the 911S had a five-speed (915) gearbox and 6x15 alloy wheels as standard. The transmission was a stronger unit than the one it replaced and better suited to cope with the increase in horsepower. This transmission used the 'H' gate shift pattern while eliminating the prior 901 transmission's 'dog-leg' style first gear arrangement, which some drivers found challenging.

With 8.5:1 compression, the 2.4 S delivered 190 horsepower at 6,500 RPM, giving it a projected top speed of 147, nearly equalling the production homologation special, the 1973 RS. Only the displacement of 2.4 liters versus 2.7 and a different cam in the fuel injection pump separates the two models mechanically. Porsche had already tried a 2.4-liter engine in endurance racing, the stretch being achieved by lengthening the stroke, but the impetus for the larger unit's introduction came from the USA's ever more stringent emissions laws. Not sold in the USA, the 911S produced 190bhp, some 40 horsepower more than was on offer to American customers.

The pre-impact bumper 911S 2.4 was made from 1972 to 1973. In 1972 the cars left the production line with the oil filler cap located behind the righthand door. In 1972, Porsche moved the oil tank closer to the middle of the car to better optimize weight distribution, only to be forced to move it back in 1972 due to some customers using it incorrectly as a fuel filler. The 1972 Porsche models had an 'Oil' sticker inside the filler door to remind careless gas attendants that this was not the fuel tank.

Further aiding handling, particularly at high speeds, was the addition of a small front under-bumper chin spoiler, standard on all S models. With this additional spoiler, the front-end lift was claimed to be reduced by up to forty percent.

Porsche built 1,430 2.4-liter 911S coupes by the time production switched to the 2.7-liter model for 1974, the first 911 to incorporate the large impact-absorbing bumpers.

In the United States, the 1972 Porsche 911 S was offered in Targa and coupe configuration, both with 2+2 seating. The Coupe had a base price of $9,500 and the Targa listed at $10,230. These were the most expensive in the lineup; the 911 T was priced at $7,250 for the coupe and $7990 for the Targa, and the 911 E listed at $8,000 for the coupe and $8,730 for the Targa. All three used the same six-cylinder engine with a 142.8 cubic-inch displacement, overhead camshafts, eight main bearings, and Bosch fuel injection. The 911T developed 157 (SAE) horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque while the 911E with a higher 8.0:1 compression had 185 (SAE) horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 911 S had 8.5:1 compression and produced 210 (SAE) horsepower at 6,500 RPM (190 bhp DIN) and 181 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 RPM.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019