1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Tribute
Steel Backdated Conversion
2.7L High Compression Engine
Mahle RS Pistons & Cylinders
Steel RS Flares / Original Silver Car
Custom Leather Buckets by Vintage Seats
74,100 Miles on Odometer
(Believed to be correct mileage from new)
13k Miles on Build (approximately)
Silver Metallic (936) on Black Leather Custom Buckets
5-Speed Manual (915) Transmission
Clean and Clear California Title
Touring Build with Deco Trim
All Steel Body
Real Steel RS Flares
The 1974 model year has been the perfect year to use to build a hotrod/sport-purpose 911. It’s exempt from all states’ emissions/smog laws and is the same weight as the previous “long-hood” 911 models but has an improved chassis. Also, this generation came with the coveted “7R” engine case, which is stronger and ideal to build with more power and longevity. As the values for mid-year 911s (1974-1977) have climbed in recent years, the cost has become prohibitive to use one for a build anymore.
This 911 lived most of its life in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 1 owner and 60k miles from new. It started life as a 1974 911 Coupe in Silver Metallic from the factory. In 2012, a Southern California enthusiast purchased it and performed the backdate conversion (except for the rear flares). The work was done well with all steel parts including all the fenders, deck lid, rear bumper, and hood. The front lower S-spoiler is the only part that’s fiberglass. Highlights of the build include:
2.7L engine rebuilt (1975 engine case)
Mahle RS high compression pistons & cylinders
Weber carburetors
Steel conversion
15x7 and 15x8 RSR finished factory Fuchs wheels
Original (except windshield) factory green tinted glass
Boxster 4-piston front brake calipers
Stainless steel braided brake lines
Front fender mounted Carrera oil cooler
Elephant racing finned oil lines
M&K sport exhaust
SSi stainless steel heat exchangers
Body repainted in original factory Silver Metallic
This SoCal owner who did the build kept the car for a few years (sold to a friend for 1 year and then bought back). He didn’t drive it much. He then sold it to the current San Diego area owner in October of 2015 with 62,569 miles. For the past 9 years/11k miles, this owner enjoyed his Porsche on weekend back road drives and various local car gatherings. During his care, he serviced the car regularly and hired European Motorsports in Vista, California for most repairs and upkeep. The following was performed during this owner’s care:
Oil service (1/17 @ 65,705 miles)
Misc. services (7/17 @ 66,415 miles)
Replace idle jets/adjust carbs
Oil service
Replace steering shaft u-joints
Repair hand throttle level control
New throttle linkage
All wheel alignment
Replace spark plugs
Brake work and service (6/19 @ 69,225 miles)
Oil service
Front brake pad set
Cross-drilled front rotors
Front wheel bearing seals
Upgrade to Mercedes Benz 21mm brake master cylinder
Brake fluid flush
Steel RS rear flares by Ed Palmer/Kundensport (8/19)
Steel RS flair
Match/weld to body
Fix rocker molding to match
Install ST/RS style bolt-in rear roll bar
Repaint rear of car and blend to match
Pirelli CN36 Tires (9/19)
Restored 7x15 and 8x15 Fuchs (9/19)
Raven S LED headlights (9/19) - $2,900/pair
Adjust rear ride height, adjust engine lid, check oil tank level gauge unit (9/19 @ 69,848 miles)
Replace starter, oil service, external oil temp thermostat (10/20 @ 71,450 miles)
Rebuilt steering rack and all wheel alignment (12/20 @ 71,943 mile)
Custom leather seats by Vintage Seats (5/21)
RS style bucket in high grade leather
Leather/suede basketweave seat inserts
D-style headrest covered in leather
New Recaro seat sliders
Powder-coated bases for early 911
Rear seat cushions to match in same leather basketweave
Suspension work/replacement (7/21 @ 71,964 miles)
Test suspension/check for noises
Replace left front lower ball joint
New Bilstein front strut assemblies
Adjust ride height
Alignment
Hood shocks
Drop front suspension and crossbeam to inspect – OK
Front wheel bearing seals
Replace fuel pump and bypass engine gauge (8/21 @ 72,180 miles)
New rear Bilstein heavy duty shocks & oil service 20w/50 synthetic (11/23 @ 73,466 miles)
Compression test/Leakdown – 160lb and 10% across all 6 (6/24 @ 73,773 miles)
The exterior of this 911 is very nice and in a high-level driver condition. The silver paint looks good with no major flaws. There are a few very minor chips here and there from normal use. The body gaps are good and the doors fit nicely. The brightwork trim/deco appears to be original and in good shape with no major scratches. The windshield was replaced some time ago with a PPG green tinted glass to match the factory glass. There’s one small chip on the driver's side that’s been professionally repaired. The rest of the glass is original factory light green tinted and in good shape. The proper factory stampings are visible. There are some plugs in the door thresholds where Ziebart protective sealant was installed when the car was new. The driver door mirror (1969-1971) is a reproduction that vibrates and is not correct for an RS look. The antenna doesn’t go all the way down, but it works. The LED headlights and through-the-grill fog lights all work. The factory Fuchs (7’s and 8’s by 15) are in excellent shape with the correct anodized finish. There are no signs of major curb rash and they are wearing Pirelli CN36 tires with about half-life or more remaining. They were installed in 2019 after the flares were done. It’s typical for these tires to have different date stamps as Pirelli makes them in small batches. The brake pads have more than half-life remaining and no lips on the cross-drilled rotors.
The interior is very tidy and smells of leather. The Vintage Seats were custom-done in high-grade leather with leather and suede basketweave inserts. There are no tears, rips, or other blemishes as well as no exit bolster wear. The rear seat bottom pads match (no rear seat backs). The ST-style roll bar bolts in and can easily be removed. The headliner has no tears, rips, or sagging issues. The sun visors are later after-market examples that fit nicely and are in good shape. The lightweight carpet has no major stains or heavy wear marks. The RS Lightweight door panels function nicely with upgraded chrome door pulls that are sturdy. The dash has no cracks or warping and fits nicely, including the speaker grill. All of the gauges work, including the clock and the interior lights. The Blaupunkt radio with a dash speaker works as well. The steering wheel is a vintage leather-wrapped Raid Racemark steering wheel that feels great and has a nice, aged look and feel.
This 911 is a blast to drive and feels very much like a factory RS. It is light with a quick throttle response and a great mechanical sound. It starts easily and holds an even idle with help from the working hand throttle. Once at operating temperature, it pulls hard throughout the rev range with no hesitation. The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears with no grinding and the clutch engages properly with no slipping. The brakes take a bit more leg to activate, but they have tremendous stopping power over the stock brakes. There is a slight vibration on harder threshold braking, which might be a light warping of the front rotors or build up of pad material from lack of use. The handling is very light and direct. The car feels balanced and when driving in a spirited manner, it is confidence inspiring.
This 911 is currently California registered to September of 2024 and it is exempt from California’s smog test.
This 911 comes with 1 key, Early S Registry grill badge, recent service receipts, space saver spare, jack, and air compressor.
Over 150 detailed photos available at AutoKennel website