The original 911ST has an interesting history, probably more so due to its genuine competition lineage. During the era of early 911 production, Porsche were continuously developing their road cars for competition, and with great success. Keen to see customers using their cars in the same manner, they created a series of performance accessories that could be ordered directly from the factory to upgrade a standard car either after, or during production. In 1969 a race-oriented version of the 911 was launched known internally as the ST (the name stood for Sport Touring). The original was based on the 911 T with a 2.3 litre engine, whilst the later 2.5 was usually based on the 911S and internally known as the SR, however, most are referred to as a 2.5 ST today.Interestingly, unlike the ‘73 RS that followed, there is no particular defining characteristic for an S/T, each could be made with different combinations of racing components offered by Porsche to suit the intended use. Whether it was for rally or race, your new 911 could be equipped accordingly.S cams would usually be preferred for rallying, whilst peaky 906 cams could be specified for the most powerful short-stroke, twin-plug, fuel-injected 2.5 motors, often producing circa 270BHP+ at 8000 rpm depending on spec and application (track vs rally for example). Impressive stuff for the early Seventies. There were also a number of gearbox options with ratios for different scenarios, as well as plastic and steel fuel tanks, and a host of different other upgrades for racers around the world, and all were detailed together with setup guides for the 911 in the `Sports Purposes` booklet. Sometimes these special components were installed by the factory, and in other cases, they were installed retrospectively by dealers or racing teams. By the early 70s, this allowed privateer teams to compete with effectively works specification cars. Some early examples could be seen sporting Minilite rear wheels instead of the classic 911 Fuchs alloys, and most S/Ts featured a number of thinner steel, aluminium or fibreglass parts to keep weight down, often in different widths and profiles too.That’s what makes it so hard to define an S/T. It’s not a specific set of components, rather a combination of special components. These were race cars that were extensively modified and rebuilt in period without any thought toward their status as future collectables and as such each car is unique. Originally supplied by AFN in the UK, this matching numbers 1971 911T remained in largely original specification but for a restoration in the late 90s, sold to specialist Dave Dennett of DSD Motorwerks in 2010 for conversion into a period specification ST. During the build, any modifications he made were period correct, his aim being to acquire FIA competition papers when completed. This included the steel arches being replicated from period photographs, hand beaten to accommodate 7” x 15” front and 9” x 15” rear wheels, and a lightweight interior being fitted. The original matching numbers engine was retained, however currently fitted, is another engine built from a genuine un- numbered 7R magnesium case. This engine was fully built around these cases to short stroke ST specification. This included the following: Cases shuffle pinned and gas flowed, 2.2 crank 66mm, Porsche S nitride rods, JE pistons, Mahle barrels, twin plug heads with new guides 3 angle valve seat and enlarged ports, titanium valve springs, new race valves, ST twin plug distributor, S specification cams, uprated and rebuilt MFI pump, uprated oil pump, 1”5/8 race headers and lightweight aluminium flywheel. The brakes were upgraded with aluminium RS spec callipers and vented discs all round and period Koni adjustable dampers and uprated roll bars were fitted in addition to the rebuilt suspension. A lightweight clutch was fitted and a Tuthill adjustable pedal box. Wheels are 7×15” refurbished Fuchs on the front and 9”x15” Minilites were fitted on the rear. Also fitted were upgraded Bosch twin fuel pumps, plumbed in fire suppression system and Schroth 5 point harnesses.As is often the case with these projects, it was sold before being totally finished to our vendor in 2019, who has now continued the journey of personalisation to the tune of an additional £150,000, a car than now ‘owes him’ £275,000 and as he states to create this car would be in excess of £350,000 and involve a 2-4 year wait given the names involved in the build.Offered with a history file detailing the build with photographs and documents in a box file full of provenance of the car now and back to the 80’s. The matching numbers 2.2 engine is stored and this and the fibreglass bumper for FIA papers comes with the car, the new owner will need to collect or delivery can be arranged at their cost.The modified Porsche scene is dominated by Singer with its reimagined ST built on a later 964, Tuthill with their interpretation the 911K, in an area that ever popular, enhancing original cars to a period upgraded specification this example sits neatly offering a buyer the opportunity to rub shoulders with the bespoke ‘resto mods’ like Singer. If you are looking for a genuine period car with period `Sports Purposes` upgrades, together with a nicer interior than a stripped-out racer, then this car certainly has a good deal more kudos than a backdated example. If you want to take things a bit more seriously remove the niceties, put the fibreglass panels back on, install a pair of current FIA seats and this car will be ready for the Tour Auto or Modena Cento Ore without the three to four year wait for the build of a car and the expense of over £300k to build the car today. If there was ever having your cake and eating this is it.. Consigned by Mathew Priddy
