Rare Model Year? 1972 Porsche 911T
I always get a laugh when I spy the opening image of a car in a sale listing, one that obviously needs attention, and am then met with a claim of, “This vehicle has no significant damage or problems“. I suppose comments like that test the bounds of the meaning of “significant” and “problems” but it does serve as an invitation to dig a little deeper. So, let’s dig and see what’s up with this 1972 Porsche 911T. It is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $28,000. Thanks to Dawson H for this tip!
The Porsche 911, in all of its iterations, is one of the world’s most recognizable designs and has truly been offered in a dizzying array of models. This example, being a 911T, was offered, according to Porsche’s website between model-year ’68 and ’73. It was considered an entry-level model, replacing the four-cylinder 912. The seller refers to this example’s ’72 model year as being “a very rare model year for Porsche” but I wasn’t able to corroborate that claim. Any knowledge on that matter would be appreciated.
As to what happened to this 911’s exterior is anyone’s guess. The listing, being on Facebook Marketplace, is typically limited. It is listed as a project car and shows plenty of scale on the underside as well as rust-through in the bonnet and boot. And if it’s not rust-through, then it is surface rust that has afflicted most horizontal surfaces. It also appears as if a top clear coat has been baked away to the underlying finish. That being evident would make one think that this Porsche was repainted somewhere in the past using a two-stage process. The seller refers to this 911 as being a “very solid car”, that may ultimately be true but the images are not confidence builders. Further examination is needed.
Power is provided by a 130 HP, fuel-injected 2.4 liter, flat-six cylinder engine attached to a five-speed manual transaxle. Research indicates that U.S.-bound 911’s were mechanically injected due to U.S. smog regulations, but the stay-at-home versions still relied on carburetors. This Porsche, off the road since 1997, is a non-runner but it is claimed to have its original, non-seized engine i.e. it turns over.
There are no images of the interior other than his one shot of the speedo which displays a mileage recording of 80K miles. Since the exterior shows the effects of outdoor living, the interior could be afflicted with some of the same issues such as sun damage, extreme heat, humidity, rodent infestation, mold, etc. There’s no way to know with certainty beyond questions and an inspection.
Concluding the listing is a statement which reads, “Should be noted that two 1972 Porsche 911 engines alone just sold for $14,000 and $18,000“. I’m not sure of that relevance other than to project a thought of what this vintage 911T could be worth; not only as this one sits, but upon restoration work being completed. I’m drawing a desirability blank on this one; what’s your thought, worth the price of entry?
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Comments
This year model had a good engine and the new 915 transmission with a much better linkage to the lever. My reserve on this car is for the money asked your getting a car that might just need another chassis to put the running gear in. The underside shots don’t show where the real rust areas are and the top side shots show a whole bunch of rust in critical, hard to repair areas. Nothing’s impossible but if anyone pays the asking price for this one he/she/it better be well trained in metalwork because this one is going to need it.
A seller who repeatedly attempts to justify his asking price is essentially admitting that it’s too high.
This is rusty junk…
This rusty rudder has been floating around the Internet for a while now. Who could forget those rusty gauge bezels!
Me thinks we saw this August 3rd. Apparently the $20k bid on eBay was not enough or fell through or something.
What’s behind the Morgan?
That caught my eye too. My best guess is Allard K3. At first I thought Swallow Doretti, but the grill and windshield look more like the Allard.
Not necessarily rare; methinks overcooked.
The 72 was dhte only model year with the external oil filler..quickly dropped by Porsche because folks put their gas in there! You would spend $$$$$ to get this on the road again..sad.
One of you guys once said there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Lamborghini, just replace Lamborghini with Porsche and the result is the same!