1971 Porsche 911T 2.2 'Tarmac Rally Prepared' Coupe

Description

Launched at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche's replacement for the 356 was initially badged the 901 (objections from Peugeot saw the car renamed the 911) and it went on to become one of the best-loved and most widely recognised sports cars of all time. Powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled flat-six engine of two-litres capacity, 911s built in the Sixties were characterised by wonderfully communicative steering, sharp handling and willing performance, the relative lack of power more than compensated for by the lack of weight. Porsche expanded the 911 range to three models in August 1967, with the 911T (a replacement for the slow-selling four-cylinder 912) joining the 911E and 911S. Using a 110 bhp Type 901/03 derivative of the flat-six, the 911T was capable of over 200 km/h and came with the option of a new Sportomatic semi-automatic transmission, allowing for clutchless manual gearchanges. Porsche's development of the 911 range was unrelenting, with a longer (2268mm) wheelbase introduced on the B-series in August 1968 while the C and D-series 911Ts, built between September 1969 and August 1971, offered more powerful 2.2-litre engines and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Although a four-speed gearbox was standard, the 911T could be ordered with the optional five-speeder found in the 911E and 911S models. With a compression ratio of 8.6:1 and new Zenith triple-choke carburettors, power of the 911T was now up to 125 bhp at 5800 rpm (and torque rated at 131 lbs/ft at 4200 rpm), giving a top speed just shy of 130 mph. Porsche's targa body style continued to gain in popularity around this time, accounting for around a quarter of all 911 sales in this period. Early 911s are now valued collectors' pieces and chrome-bumper cars like the 1971 911T offered here are valued for their purity of style and increasing rarity.