1973 Porsche 911 2.4T - Reader Ride

By: Louis Giosis with Guy Allen, Photography by: Guy Allen

Date: 27.05.2021

A chance encounter in his workshop led to a long-term affair with this restomod 911

The 2.4T was the entry model 911 with the five-and-half inch wheels and I once swore that I would never buy one while my arse was pointing to the ground!

This car wandered into the shop about 15 years ago and, as I was going over it, I released I knew the car. It went back to my days at Hamiltons, 40-something years ago. It was in amazing condition – as if I was pre-delivering it all over again. I had it up on the hoist and it was as straight as a die.

Those simple lines with the flared guards still work. The 933 high-level brake lamp blends in well

It had the Sportmatic transmission (a clutchless manual using a torque converter). I wasn’t really a fan of them and I think a lot or people felt the same way. They’ve become problematic to fix over the years and parts availability has become an issue. Five-speed manuals are far more popular.

The owner wasn’t driving it much and he hinted he might sell it. We ummed and aahhed for a while and I ended up buying it. My wife was very upset at the time.

It had a brown interior and looked like a new car. However I loved the early 1973 RS – it’s my favourite – and so it was inevitable this car would be turned into a look-alike.

They were the car when I was young, and to me they still are. Sure the newer cars are quicker and technically superior, but I can’t really get the best out of them and this suits me.

I’ve got an affinity with the older Porsches like this, where the new ones are just another new car to me. It’s what I started working with so I kind of grew up with them.

This is my second 911. I had a blue one years ago, which I did something similar with – but this (Signal Yellow) is my favourite colour.

The engine is an unmolested original, though there is a plan to fit a 3.0lt RSR-style upgrade

I’ve done quite a bit to it. The inside was all brown and now it’s black. The seats have been replaced with Recaros, which I like the feel of and they suit the car. The older Recaros suited the period better, but I don’t mind what’s in it. Some people say I shouldn’t have done it, but it’s my car and I don’t think they look out of place. I prefer them to the factory sports seats.

I’ve done nothing to the motor – left it alone. If I get a chance, I have a 3.0lt SC short engine that I’d love to put in. There are visions of developing it into an RSR type motor. We have the throttle bodies, the injection pump, the Bosch 12-plug distributor. Some of it I’ve had for 20 years. That’s my dream: put a 3.0lt engine in that car and keep the original in a crate.

An RSR-style 3.0 powerplant is on the agenda

It would be a beautiful thing to drive. New the 2.4T had 140 horsepower, so it would be a big upgrade.

Of course I’ve put a manual in it and upgraded the brakes. The original stoppers were ordinary, so I’ve upgraded to the 3.3 Turbo brakes. I’ve also added a later high-level brake lamp from a 993, as you could see people coming up behind just weren’t spotting the standard stop lamps. They’re too low.

The flares in the bodywork (along with the wheels) are what have changed the appearance and the fella who did the work, Joe Tupek, was a genius. They’re butt-welded, so there’s no filler.

I’m also a fan of sunroofs, and had that done at the same time. The ventilation on these things is terrible, so the sunroof makes sense. It’s all been done as the factory would.

Yes the values on these things has skyrocketed, but I’ve got mixed feelings about that. Clearly you’re happy, but to me it’s all bullshit. Your brain sell says sell it, but your heart says keep it and that’s where I am – I’m not going to drive a car I don’t like, so the value is meaningless. One day it will move on to someone I like, but hopefully that’s a long way off…

Ed’s note: Louis has owned and run Motion Automotive, a Porsche workshop in South Melbourne, for 40 years.

From Unique Cars #452, April 2021

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