1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI Coupe

The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI (mechanical fuel injection), was aimed at worldwide markets apart from the United States, where the Carrera 2.7 was restricted to the 2.7 K-Jetronic engine to sit more easily with Porsche America's marketing strategy. So the rest of us were able to benefit from a new model utilising the same brilliant power-plant as the now iconic 1973 Carrera RS, making them mechanically identical, but with a few concessions towards civility and day to day use. In its introductory year of 1974, the Carrera 2.7 MFI came fitted with a 'ducktail' spoiler and the new G-Series chassis was 'beefed-up' to appease ever stricter US crash worthiness requirements. The floor pans were strengthened, lighting was improved and larger bumpers incorporated. Importantly, the Carrera 2.7 MFI is capable of the same performance, and engenders the same feel and driving enjoyment as the RS and its dramatic styling cues including the 'ducktail' and wide rear wings pay homage to its more focussed sibling.

With an impressive 210 bhp, 2,687 cc Type 911/83 air-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 0-60 mph was achieved in just over 5 seconds and the car was geared for 150 mph through the 5-speed manual transmission. The suspension was fully independent with torsion bars, McPherson struts and anti-roll bars. The total weight was just over 1,075 kilograms, which made the 2.7 MFI a very fast car in its day and in fact, it was the fastest production 911 until the late 1980s.

In total, 1,647 MFI Carrera Coupés were built for Europe / non-US markets during this three-year run, along with 631 Targas, with total production figures not vastly outnumbering that of the original 1973 Carrera RS.

Presented here is a Carrera 2.7 MFI Coupé manufactured on the 17th December 1973 (for model year 1974) and delivered new to Asia through Porsche Japan. Cars destined for Japan had the same mechanical specification as the European / non-US market examples. This car has recently been imported from Japan to the UK and is fully registered with an accompanying V5C document, having passed an MoT inspection with no advisory points and with a period registration number assigned.

The car was obviously used sparingly whilst in Japan, and its overall condition and performance are commensurate with the odometer reading of just 42,000 kms (approx. 26,000 miles) and we understand that it drives superbly with good pressures and a smooth and accurate gear change. The mileage and its condition are also supported by a Japanese service schedule (now translated into English) showing 21 service intervals (from 1975-2013) confirming that engine oil, filters and transmission fluid were routinely renewed and additional maintenance carried out as required.

The car appears to be structurally solid, rust-free and relatively untouched. In more recent times, it has benefited from a quality paint renovation in its original specification colour of Guards Red and retains the evocative 'ducktail'. The lack of a sunroof is also a worthy deletion from the specification of this model, offering increased rigidity, and the front seats and Fuchs alloy wheels have been nicely refurbed. The vendor informs us the car's engine is a correct and complete 2.7 MFI unit (Type 911/83).

Silverstone Auctions were recently pleased to sell another 2.7 MFI Porsche, in "garage-found' condition with 55,000 miles from new, for a sum close to £150,000. Surely this coupé, when measured against that car, and against its slightly bigger brother, the 2.7 Carrera RS (at £450,000 plus) is worthy of similar merit when you consider its rarity and its place in the Porsche story.