1974 Porsche 911 Carrera in Costa Mesa, California

Chassis No. 9114410039
Engine No. 5340510

Built in January 1974, this Porsche 911 Carrera Targa was part of the inaugural model year for the newly redesigned impact-bumper 911s, aimed at the vital U.S. market. As Porsche's flagship Carrera model, it boasted a 2.7-liter air-cooled flat-six engine beneath its iconic ducktail spoiler. Performance enhancements over the 911 S included larger anti-roll bars (20 mm front, 18 mm rear), Bilstein sport shocks, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, and forged aluminum Fuchs wheels (6x15 front, 7x15 rear). The Carrera's base MSRP was $13,575, excluding additional extras. Not shying away from the options sheet, this example was ordered in Black over a Cinnamon leatherette interior with air conditioning, tinted glass all around, a retractable antenna, and a limited slip differential. Most interestingly, the original ordering party selected the exterior trim in bright anodized and chrome rather than the black finished trim standard on the Carrera model.

Previous research indicates that this Carrera was under long-term Northern California ownership until 2015 when it was acquired by a new owner who took the car to Porsche specialists TRE Motorsports of Van Nuys, California, in March 2016 for a rejuvenation to return the car to a level of operation closer to how it left the factory in 1974. Upon arrival, the car was noted to be in solid condition thoroughly deserving an extensive recommissioning. The considerable effort included a full engine rebuild of the matching-numbers 2.7-liter flat six that started with a full disassembly by TRE, with the magnesium case and the cylinder heads sent out for a machining and valve job. The $15,000 rebuild featured a new 2.7-liter piston and cylinder set, 24 new head studs, a micro-polishing of the crankshaft, and a host of new internal parts to bring the engine to excellent running condition. At the same time, the type 915 transmission and limited slip differential were rebuilt along with replacement of the fuel lines and repair work to the heating system, a brake system flush with new master cylinder, an alignment, and more. All told, work by TRE totaled nearly $35,000 when completed in October 2017. Further work on the car was completed by AIR MotorSports, also of Van Nuys, towards the end of the decade with the total spent on recommissioning between the two reaching nearly $65,000. Today this Carrera Targa is offered with 55,085 miles which are believed to be original, its Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, and period sales brochures.