1972 – 1973 Porsche 911 S 2.4

Engine: 2341cc, flat six
Power: 190 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 159.3 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm
Weight: 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs)
Steering: Rack-and-pinion
0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds (est)
Top Speed: 144 mph

The final early 911S befitted from Porsche’s 2.4-liter engine the the long-wheel-base body. As such it is one of the final classic 911s before the 2.7 came out in 1973. Visually, the 2.4 range received a new chin on the front valence that was standard on the 911S and optional for the rest of the range. The S model had slight larger 6Jx15 Fuchs alloy wheels over the other models.

It did not take long for the 911 to make an impression in the world of racing. It all started with the 1965 Monte Carlo rally and was followed closely by a steady stream of Porsches showing up and performing well at endurance races. Things escalated and the 911 entered the big boy league with the 1966 running of Le Mans. A 2 liter 911 (almost stock btw) driven by Jean Kerguen and Jacques ‘Franc’ Dewez won the the 2 liter GT class after starting in 37th and ﬁnishing in 14th overall. At the time everybody was talking about the big-engined Ford and Ferrari rivalry at the front of the pack, but this result showed that the 911 had what it took to compete at the pointy end despite its small size and much smaller engine.

Over the next few years the 911 platform grew in size, with the wheelbase growing for MY 1969. The result was a big improvement in addressing the extreme oversteer characteristics of earlier 911s. The 911 also got bigger in the engine department. The 2195cc C Series 911 in 1970 meant the 911 had finally dragged itself out of the (just on) 2 liter class into the 2000 – 2500cc category (baby steps).

The new 2.2 liter engine created new opportunities for Porsche. The racing rules at the time said that engine size could be increased up to the class limit. Between 1970 and 1972 these so-called 911 ST models dominated their class in both racing and rallying. Enlarging the bores initially brought 2247cc, then 2380cc and eventually 2.4 liter engines.

This post is about the E Series 2.4S. This variant is special for a number of reasons, not least because, 2.7 Carrera RS excepted, it was the pinnacle of the original, chrome-bumper 911. As the top of the range S model it was fast and expensive – the smart choice of the wealthy driving enthusiasts aware of Porsche’s triumphs on the track.

The classic, air-cooled Porsche ﬂat-six made 190 hp at 6,500rpm, with 160 lb/ft of torque at 5,200rpm. That doesn’t sound like much today, but do not forget that this is in a car that weighed 1,050 kg. There is no doubt for the era that this Porsche was seriously fast. 0 – 60mph was over in about in around 6.5 Sec, with a top speed of (almost) 145 mph. With a great chassis, strong brakes and solid road holding ability, it was a fun sports car for sure.

If you drive a 2.4S today you cannot help but enjoy the level of engagement. It is more than the sensation of speed (because objectively nearly every car on the road is faster). There is something else. It radiates from deep within this 2.4S, a genuine sense of conﬁdence, a connection with the mechanical side of a car that just draws you in. You want to drive this car, it just gets under your skin like that.

Specs & Performance


type	Series Production Car
production years	1972 – 1973
built at	Stuttgart, Germany
predecessor	1970 Porsche 911 S 2.2 Coupé
engine	Flat-6 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position	Rear Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
valvetrain	Chain-Driven SOHC
fuel feed	Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
displacement	2341 cc / 142.86 in³
compression	8.5:1
power	141.7 kw / 190 bhp @ 6500 rpm
specific output	81.16 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	180.95 bhp per tonne
torque	216 nm / 159.3 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm
body / frame	Unit Steel
driven wheels	Rear Engine / RWD
wheel type	Aluminum Alloy
front tires	185/70-15 Michelin
rear tires	185/70-15 Michelin
front brakes	Vented Discs w/ Vacuum Assist
rear brakes	Vented Discs w/ Vacuum Assist
front wheels	F 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in
steering	Rack & Pinion
curb weight	1050 kg / 2315 lbs
wheelbase	2271 mm / 89.4 in
front track	1372 mm / 54.0 in
rear track	1354 mm / 53.3 in
length	4172 mm / 164.3 in
width	1610 mm / 63.4 in
height	1321 mm / 52.0 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
gear ratios	3.091:1, 1.778:1, 1.217:1, 0.926:1, 0.759:1
final drive	4.428:1
top speed	~231.7 kph / 144.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~6.5 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~19.7 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~15.5 seconds

Videos

We were surprised that we could not find a lot of high quality videos of the 2.4S online. We did find a nice buying guide on Harry’s Garage (first video) and then a second video that has some nice drive buys and in-car shots of a 2.4S with an epic exhaust.

Pictures

We have included some awesome pictures of the 2.4S below, but don’t forget to check out the 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Coupé Picture Gallery for 100+ pictures of this classic.