1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI

• Matching numbers engine and gearbox 

• Presented in its factory specification of Gemini Blue Metallic over Midnight Blue leatherette with Shetland inserts 

• Sympathetically refurbished to exacting factory specification by David Belford between 2017–2019

• Accompanied by its original book pack, service book, toolkit, original non-ducktail decklid, extensive invoice history and matching-chassis-number R. Snodgrass 'Carrera 2.7' book 

• Porsche Centre Melbourne Sonderwunsch showcase car 

One of the most spectacular and original Carrera 2.7 MFI Coupés extant.

How do you follow what many still consider the greatest road-going 911 ever built? That was Porsche's challenge in 1974.

The legendary Carrera RS 2.7 had rewritten the rulebook. Built for a single purpose, to allow Porsche to compete in motor racing. It was lighter, faster and more focused than any production 911 before it, establishing itself as a defining performance car of the twentieth century.

Its successor had impossible shoes to fill. Yet rather than dilute the formula, Porsche created an evolution.

The result was the G Bodied 210hp 1974 Carrera 2.7 MFI. Positioned as the company’s halo model sitting atop the, ‘911 (150hp)’ and ‘911 S (175hp)’, to those who understood Stuttgart's engineering department, the Carrera represented something significant: the direct continuation of the 1973 RS:

The same 210 horsepower Type 911/83 engine

The same Bosch mechanical fuel injection

The same intoxicating throttle response

The same lightweight character

Indeed, contemporary road tests recorded virtually identical performance figures to the outgoing RS Touring. Zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. More remarkably still, British publication Motor recorded a quicker 0-60mph sprint from a Carrera 2.7 MFI than Porsche's newly introduced Turbo.

Directly descended from the Carrera RS among evolving safety regulations and customer demands for creature comforts, the Carrera 2.7 MFI remains one of the most charismatic engines Porsche ever built. 

And, for many years these cars remained one of Porsche collecting's best-kept secrets. Then came Ryan Snodgrass. His landmark book, Carrera 2.7 1974-1976, finally brought clarity to the model and revealed the extraordinary detail, rarity and individuality of these cars. Suddenly, so many learned what insiders had known all along.

This Motor Car

Offered here is chassis 9114600769, a benchmark 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI Coupé, and one of just 117 cars ever manufactured in Right Hand Drive.

Finished in its factory correct, highly coveted combination of Gemini Blue Metallic (X3) over Midnight Blue leather and Shetland inserts, it’s difficult to imagine a more evocative specification from Porsche's golden era of colour and trim.

Among Carrera 2.7 enthusiasts, Gemini Blue is widely regarded as one of the model's most desirable colours and just 9 cars are recorded on the registry to have been painted in this evergreen hue. Elegant yet unmistakably seventies, it perfectly captures the kaleidoscope of colours that defined Porsche's most adventurous decade.

Corresponding to its original service book, this car was delivered new the 22nd March, 1974 through Porsche Cars Great Britain to its first owner, Mr. Terry O’Rourke of Ireland.

Remarkably, the car was privately imported to Australia just three years later in 1977, beginning an Australian chapter that now spans almost five decades, and its provenance is equally compelling.

Among its custodians have been former America's Cup skipper and noted Porsche enthusiast Mr. Iain Murray, businessman Mr. Geoff Morgan of Morgan & Banks and more recently, well-respected Porsche collector and knowledgeable enthusiast, Mr. Clyde Boyer.

Throughout that time the car has remained remarkably faithful to its original specification, most importantly, retaining its original matching-numbers engine and gearbox.

The finest Carrera 2.7 MFI’s share three essential characteristics:

· Correct colours

· Correct numbers

· Correct restoration

This car possesses all three:

Mechanically, the matching-numbers engine and gearbox were comprehensively rebuilt by renowned classic Porsche specialists Autohaus Hamilton in 2015, the culmination of a significant maintenance relationship that stretched continuously from 1988 through 2015.

Next, the car was subject to an exacting body, paint and interior refurbishment between 2017 to 2019 under the stewardship of highly respected marque specialist, David Belford.

Importantly, this was not a rescue mission. David himself recently described the car as "very good" prior to the works and noted it did not require a full restoration. Instead, the objective was preservation through sympathetic refurbishment and returning the car to exacting factory specification from the Midnight Leatherette Recaro bucket seats with “pigskin” grain and matching Shetland inlay’s, to the overhauled “wide” 7 and 8-Inch Fuchs alloys with original valve stem support and valve cap, and dipped Black paint finish all as per factory.

The results speak for themselves. On completion, Porsche Centre Melbourne selected the car for showcase both in-store and online as part of its promotion of the Exclusive Manufaktur programme. To be chosen by Porsche as an example of craftsmanship, authenticity and presentation says much about the quality of the finished product. A fitting endorsement from the factory.

Accompanying History & Documentation

Just as impressive as the car itself is the accompanying provenance file. Included are:

• Original owner's book pack
• Original service book with delivery and service information
• Original toolkit
• Original non-ducktail engine lid (metallic colours were not originally fitted with ducktails)
• Extensive maintenance invoices
• Recent Porsche Centre Melbourne and classic Porsche specialist servicing records
• Limited-edition signed copy of Ryan Snodgrass' Carrera 2.7 book with matching serial number to the chassis

Together, they tell a story rarely encountered today: a highly significant Porsche that has remained known, documented and cherished throughout its life.

The Carrera 2.7 MFI represents the final evolution of the original RS philosophy before emissions regulations, luxury expectations and turbocharging began reshaping Porsche's future.

It occupies a unique position in the 911 bloodline. Entirely its own thing and today, collectors around the world recognise the Carrera 2.7 MFI for what it truly is, one of the most rewarding, usable and historically important air-cooled 911’s ever built.

Presented in one of Porsche’s most sought-after colours, retaining its matching-numbers drivetrain, accompanied by exceptional provenance and restored with unwavering respect for originality, chassis 9114600769 stands among the benchmark examples of the breed.