1974 Porsche 911 2.7

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911 Carrera 2. 7 MFI
Eleven years after its 1963 launch, the 911 was on the receiving end of its first substantial modifications. New safety regs in the USA, demanded higher mounted bumpers, capable of withstanding an impact of 5mph without body damage. And so the ‘Impact bumper’ 911 was born, with its distinctive safety protruding bumpers and black bellows at their corners providing a solution to the problem, and paving the way for the appearance of every 911, for the next 15 years.

The US was causing others issues too, with Porsche forced to detune engines to accommodate its standard octane fuel and increase capacity of all models to 2. 7-litres to partially compensate. Even the headline Carrera model had a detuned 175BHP engine to meet the stringent emission requirements.

There was still a cherry on the cake though, in the shape of the European 911 Carrera – or Carrera 2. 7 MFI, as it better known.

To all intent and purpose, it was mechanically very similar to a 73 2. 7RS with the same 2. 7-litre, 210bhp engine and gearbox, but with the new impact bumpers and a Touring specification. It was even available with the ‘Ducktail’ rear wing, Carrera script and staggered 15in wheels, plus a selection of lurid and typically 70s colours. However, unlike the RS, it was also available in Targa form too.

This high performance normally aspirated 911 was only available for three years and somewhat overshadowed at the time by the new 911 Turbo, before being replaced by the curiously less powerful Carrera 3. 0.

Equally unusual for many years, it was considered in no way particularly special and priced accordingly. More recently, the market has woken up to this anomaly and Carrera 2. 7 MFI prices in line with its RS roots, have entered a new and more befitting zone. With a production run of just 1011 Coupes in 1974 (plus 423 Targas) against a production run of 1580 73 RS models, these early original G programme 2. 7MFI Carreras are rarer too

A Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, states production completion on Dec 17, 1973, and its ultimate destination to Japan. Yes, it’s a LHD car in a RHD market, but for Japanese enthusiasts, LHD was a desirable import status symbol. Finished in correct, but comparatively rare for the period Guards Red, optional equipment included the iconic ‘Ducktail’ spoiler, fog lights and tinted glass. Japanese/ Asia only fittings include specified driver and passenger door mirrors and orange reflectors in the front bumper.

This 2. 7 MFI was imported into the UK in 2015 and was purchased by its current owner in 2016. On arrival, this new acquisition was dispatched to favoured Porsche specialists, Two Plus Two and Gantspeed for a full assessment of work needed.