Supposed ST: 1972 Porsche 911

1972 Porsche 911

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Dedicated Porsche 911 fans might already know about the extremely rare high performance precursor to the incredible 911 RS. In 1970 Porsche introduced a rally and race ready version of the 911, but they only built a small handful of these special cars. Given how few were built, information is sparse and hard to come by. The modifications made to them were quite drastic, which helps to distinguish them from a standard 911, but most of the changes can be replicated. The seller of this 1972 Porsche 911 calls it an ST, but they also use the title 911E-ST, which quickly made me skeptical of what this car really is. Be sure to take a look at the seller’s listing here on eBay in Pomfret Center, Connecticut.

Porsche 911 Engine

The list of modifications made to the ST is quite long and ranged from aerodynamic upgrades, such as the front spoiler, driving lights, and flared fenders. It also included a long list of performance modifications that greatly increased horsepower and reduced weight. To put all that extra power to good use, the suspension was also upgraded and that made these machines impressive on the road or at the track. This car has the visual features that would suggest it is a real ST, such as the flared fenders, but a little investigation has revealed some interesting facts.

Porsche 911 Interior

There really isn’t much information about the ST online, especially when it comes to the VIN identification, but it would stand to reason that Porsche would have included the ST label in legal paper work. The seller provided a photo of the title, which shows this car as being a 911E and there are no references to this being an ST. Of course I’m no Porsche expert, so perhaps I’m wrong in my assumption that Porsche would include something that important in the paperwork.

Porsche Authenticity

After reading the seller’s less than clear description, there was no doubt in my mind that this was a clone, but the possibility that this could be one of the these exceptionally rare cars meant I needed more proof. So I started to study the seller’s paperwork and that’s when I found the evidence I needed to finally accept that this is a clone. The seller provided a photo of the Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche, which clearly states this is a 911E and the options it came with. So, sadly I think it is safe to say that this is just a 911E made to look like an ST…

1972 Porsche 911E

While it might not be the real deal, it might still be worth a serious amount of money. Based on the parts and the age of the paint, I believe this could be a period clone. While ST clones obviously aren’t fetching the kind of money the real ones are, they are still quite valuable and in high demand. The fact that it is a numbers matching car also adds some value, but it is still hard to justify the $105k asking price. I honestly believe this car would do better if the seller would clarify their listing a bit. Providing more information about its history and how it came to be might actually make it worth more than another run of the mill modified 911E. That being said, this is certainly one great looking car and you could drive it with less fear of wrecking it than with a real ST. If anyone can dig up more info on this car, please let us know!

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Comments

  1. Jim Norman

    Yup, that sure is some nice original paint. Nicest “sepia brown” I ever did see. Yup.

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  2. Don Andreina

    Not a Porsche expert, but I think there maybe some confusion with the ‘E’ designation. A Porsche 911E was the mid-range of the basic road models from the period (base: 911T, top: 911S) and the E-series 911 was the designation for all 911 road models produced between Aug 71 and Jul 72, (D-series: Aug 70 to Jul 71, C-Series: Aug 69 to Jul 70, etc). Production for the ST racing model apparently lasted from 1970 to 1971 (Wiki). The listing is a bit vague as to whether this is a factory E-series ST or not. I’d say itsa bitsa.

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  3. Kirk

    All the modifications aside, original 911Es are fetching six figures now. Tastefully built 911 “hot rods” are getting close to that range as well. The seller is probably a bit optimistic but not out of line by any means if it’s a solid, well built car.

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  4. James

    I really enjoy looking at the Barn Find cars, they are always interesting.
    This one is interesting because of the audacity of the seller.
    There are many ‘outlaw’ Porsches out there. Good ones might sell for prices equal to or greater then originals, depending on who did the work and what they did. This one, however, is simply a tired, oil leaking, color changed, modified, 911E. The history presented is only vague allegations and nothing is substantiated. I would be afraid to offer $25,000 for it because I wouldn’t want to own it at that price. I’ll take a good original E for less than he wants for this modified one.

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  5. jim s

    if it is the real deal this is great find. but it is up to the seller to prove that it a ST. and at the asking price they should have done that before they listed the car.

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  6. DolphinMember

    The COA from Porsche says this is a 911E for the USA that came from the factory with a radio / tinted glass all around / comfort equipment. It didn’t come from the factory as a race car. There’s a title with James N Locke’s name on it, dated 2003. All of Locke’s racing in a 911 happened between 1968 and 1973 and all of his cars are listed as 911, 911T, or 911S models. There’s no 911E in his race history. This adds up to Jim Locke buying this car around 2003, long after his race career in Porsches ended. [http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/results/Jim-Locke-USA.html]

    Anyone can take a 911 and turn it into a clone racer, or something that looks like one. I think this is a hot rodded US version 911E that might have been in a barn at one time. I’d rather have the 3 or 4 real nice vintage sports cars that I could buy with $105K…or even $100K if the seller hadn’t upped the ask beyond round numbers.

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  7. RickyM

    Nice investigative digging, Josh. Think it is a case of Buyer Beware.

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  8. rancho bella

    Flared fenders, color change, sugar scoop tail, incorrect steering wheel………..and that is just what I see. Yes…….I’m a Porsche guy.

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  9. PineValley911T

    As the owner of a windows out color changed ’70 911 T, and a well done one at that, I would rather all things being equal have found an original color car when I bought mine in 2001. But you know the old saying, buy the best condition car you can afford.
    So when it comes to old long hood P cars, the most original of cars condition wise is the way to go unless you have pockets with no bottom.
    In this case the color change and all the mods add up to just a mish mash of a ’72 911E that will take buckets of cash on top of the ahem….cough…cough.asking price to square this away. Unless of course for 105 Large, this is just what you want.

    Like 0

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