1973 Porsche 911 E

By 1973, the 911 had been in production for nearly a decade and had undergone incremental changes throughout the years but remained largely unchanged from an aesthetic standpoint. 911 models from this model year are the last of the long-hood, thin bumper cars and have grown to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike for their classic early 911 styling and refinements in drivability.

It was the final year of the “long-hood” 911s before a beltline down redesign and incorporated impact bumpers at the front and rear, along with several updates to meet emissions standards. 1973 models saw the introduction of the front air dam from the 911 S integrated as standard on all 911s to reduce front-end lift and improve stability at speed. The 911 E stood as the middle-of-the-line trim between the entry-level T and the top-of-the-line S models. It offered a balance of luxury while still offering higher performance than the T and a higher level of comfort than the T or S models, and served as a replacement to the 911 L models of previous years. The E designation denoted Einspritzung, the German term for “injection,” for the mechanical fuel injection system employed on the 2.4-liter flat-six, a system that was later deployed across all 911 models. The compression ratio of the motor in the 911 E was reduced from previous iterations so that they could run regular, lower octane fuel without ignition issues while still being capable of 165hp.

The front horn grilles and driving light trim were changed from chrome-plated to black to better match the black rubber bumper rub strips, and the rear taillight trim and the branding script was anodized black to match the black engine lid intake grille. Subtle changes continued on the interior of the vehicle with differences notable on the seat adjustment hardware, the coverings of which were available upholstered in vinyl as standard with a real leather option. Leather appointments were standard on the steering wheel of 911 Es, and matched a leather-look finish on the dash and door coverings.

The forged alloy Fuchs with Michelin tires that were standard equipment on the S was offered as an option on the E. As the mid-range model, the 911 E did not receive the anti-roll bars that were present on the 911 S and were equipped with the standard Boge front shocks, or either Bilstein or Konis available by special order.

With just four owners from new and fewer than 23,000 miles on the odometer, it has been meticulously cared for during each owner’s tenure and sparingly driven, resulting in this 911E being a remarkably well-preserved and highly original example.

According to the original sales invoice, it was delivered to Lynn Porsche Audi in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. It was configured in Sepia Brown paintwork over Beige leatherette upholstery and brown velour carpeting. It was fitted with the optional 15×6-inch Light Alloy Fuch wheels, stabilizers at the front and rear axles, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, the comfort kit, and tinted glass. The comfort kit added the 911S trim and instruments, chrome rocker panels, and aluminum door sills.

Its first owner kept a meticulous log of the car beginning shortly after taking delivery in 1973, citing every service and instance of maintenance work on the car with the odometer reading and date, even down to adjusting tire pressures. His log spans 11 years up until selling the car to its second owners in August of 1984. They too kept a detailed log of the car’s regular maintenance until April 2013, noting the car’s mileage with every invoice. An included photograph shows the 911 E’s odometer when it rolled over to 20,000 miles with the date handwritten on the back.

It has been detailed both inside and out with Concours-level attention to detail, and special care has been taken over the years to preserve its original finishes. Accompanying the car are records dating back to 1973, the original window sticker, sales invoice, books, and tool kit.