We often lament the fact that it seems like the last great barn find has already been made. But the simple truth is there’s more cars out there to be discovered, and some of them are hiding in plain sight. According to the slightly choppy description for this desirable “S” specification 1971 Porsche 911 Targa, it was left street parked in France for years before being picked up and listed for auction here on Aguttes.com.
The easy way to tell this car is French specification is by the yellow headlight lenses. Let me tell you, I cannot even fathom how much an air-cooled enthusiast would simply pay for the combination French yellow headlights and the hood-mounted accessory driving lamps, but it’s in the many, many of thousands of dollars. The 911 is desirable for a variety of reasons beyond its S trim and lighting options; it’s also painted Signal Orange, one of the most sought-after air-cooled colors.
The photos aren’t the greatest but the 911 appears to be bone stock, inside and out. The interior is clean, if not a touch spartan, and it makes me wonder if the original owner built this 911 in such a way that the options more sought after by enthusiasts were added and everything else that might be considered a luxury was skipped. The only thing I don’t see that could be considered the trifecta of options would be the optional Recaro sport seats.
Now, here’s the bad news: all that talk about “S” options and equipment – well, the original engine is gone. The current mill is a 2.2L replacement engine sourced from a car with a Sportmatic transmission. The good news there is that the semi-automatic gearbox should have allowed the engine to lead a fairly gentle life, but there’s a very big part of me that would want to scour the old garages and repair shops of France to see if the original engine is still sitting on a pallet somewhere. Regardless, this 911 will fetch a fair price when it goes under the hammer.
I owned a ‘72 with a sportomatic for which I paid $3,500. A European car with cloth seat inserts and power windows! The engine and transmission share lubrication. A piece of the torque converter presumably broke off and circulated through the engine, destroying everything! I took the engine apart to find out and indeed cams, oil pump and everything else needed replacing. I sold the car for $3,500. That was around 1978.
OK, are there any other bids? Going once, going twice,……….SOLD, SOLD, SOLD
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the color. And those lights? Yes, please…
The guy my dad bought a hobie cat from back in the early 80’s had one of these that he used to tow the boat – which was also orange. He joked that from the back you couldn’t see the car when he was towing it, which freaked people out.
So, in France they just discard 911’s on the street? Their economy must be booming.
Ridden hard and put away wet. Obvious rust yet no underside photos. In France, so it’ll cost you at least $5K just to get it to the U.S. At least the engine is a 2.2 E, one of the best.
I once dated a French girl, I take offence to that term, though I will not report your comment. I believe in free speach, no matter how crude and ill advised.
You only dated one French girl? You must be a monk.
I salute you, my brother.
I had modest interest in this 911 until I read the details. 911E sporto motor, tangerine not signal orange, ( I own a 69E coupe so I don’t need two) plus all of Frank’s comments. Still fond of it, but just don’t need it. If it were matching numbers, that would be another story.
I had modest interest in this 911 until I read the details. 911E sporto motor, tangerine not signal orange, ( I own a 69E coupe so I don’t need two) plus all of Frank’s comments. Still fond of it, but just don’t need it. If it were matching numbers, that would be another story.