For Sale at Auction: 1973 Porsche 911 in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. 9113111238
Engine No. 6133618

In 1973, Porsche closed several chapters in its history, though few recognized it at the time. The iconic 911 was set for its first major overhaul since its 1964 debut, with the 1974 models introducing larger impact bumpers, a refreshed interior, and marking the end of the sleek "long-hood" design and a palette of 27 standard and optional colors. Amid Porsche's tradition of incremental updates, January 1973 saw the debut of the 2.4-liter 911 T with Bosch K-Jetronic (CIS) fuel injection. Known as the 1973.5 models, these U.S.-bound 911 Ts featured the torquier CIS-equipped Type 911/91 engine, which would become standard across the U.S. model range the following year.

Produced in February of 1973, this U.S.-market 1973.5 911 T Coupe left Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen finished in the rare optional shade of Metallic Green (230) with a Black kunstleder interior that features the spectacular Pepita cloth seat inserts. According to its accompanying Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, the car left Germany with a bevy of additional options. Koni shock absorbers, air conditioning, 6x15-inch forged Fuchs wheels, front and rear anti-roll bars, and tinted glass all around all feature on the options sheet. So too does the Comfort Equipment package that included aluminum door sills, 911 S-type exterior trim, chrome rocker panels, 911 S-type instrumentation, and a leather-covered steering wheel among other items. Perhaps most important is the famous Targa body style, that offers the open-air sport car experience that the model is so famous for.

According to the original stamped service booklet that accompanies the likely special-ordered car, it was delivered to James Bianco of Glenview, Illinois, on 7 April 1973. The initial servicing took place at Porsche-Audi of the Palms and later Scala-O'Brien Porsche-Audi back in Chicago by 1974. The car is reported to have been retained but the original owner for several decades. In 2017, the car received a photo-documented glass-out repaint in its original shade of Metallic Green and a refresh of the interior upholstery. Furthermore, in 2018, the Targa underwent a mechanical refurbishment of its matching-numbers engine and five-speed transmission by Carrera Car Shop of Huntington Station, New York. Invoices for the rebuilds are on file and available for review. Later in 2020, the car found a new caretaker that reveled in the original details that include the often-removed front bumperette support tubes. Today the car features a mere 34,697 miles that are believed to be original and are commensurate with the condition of the car. It is offered with its original owner's manual, service book, tools, and Certificate of Authenticity confirming its matching-numbers status.