2.5-litre air-cooled, horizontally opposed six-cylinder twin-plug racing engine, five-speed manual gearbox in rear transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension, and ventilated four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,268 mm (89.3")
While already occupied during the mid-1960s with its sports racers, Porsche quickly recognised the competition potential of its new 911. Barely four months after introduction in 1965, a 911 achieved a GT class victory and fifth place overall at the Monte Carlo Rally in appallingly snowy conditions. Later, the 911 S of Elford/Stone won the Lyon, Tulip and Geneva contests to take the European GT Rally Championship. Racetrack victories soon followed as 911 S models earned GT class victories at Sebring, Daytona, Spa, the Nürburgring and the Targa Florio. By the middle of 1967, Porsche released the 911 R, of which only 22 examples were built.
The 911 T/R appeared next for 1968, based on the 911 T and homologated for Group 3. It was even lighter than the 911 R, and a variety of competition engine and driveline combinations were available. It too racked up an incredible victory tally, with class and outright wins in Britain, Italy and Germany, en route to clinching both the FIA Constructor’s Trophy for GT cars and the European Touring Car Challenge in 1968. Racing 911s continued to dominate in 1969, with GT class wins achieved at the Nürburgring 1,000 kms, Le Mans, the Targa Florio and Spa.
Next, Porsche developed the S/T, of which 33 were built in 1970 and 1971, taking full advantage of new FIA rules allowing a two-inch wider track. Accordingly, wheel arches were widened to accommodate seven-inch front and nine-inch rear wheels. Weight reduction was even more radical, including thinner-gauge steel for the roof and floorpans. Heating ducts, seat slide supports, the glove-box lid, ashtray, sun visors and rear torsion-bar covers were deleted. Transverse bars linked the strut towers, while soundproofing and under-seal were omitted and minimal paint was applied. Plastic front and rear bumpers, a plastic front lid and lightweight Plexiglas side and rear windows were included. The 2.5-litre engine produced 270 bhp, and upgraded ventilated disc brakes, Recaro sport seats and a variety of fuel capacities completed the specification.
Björn Waldegård, the most successful 911 rally driver of the era, amassed high profile wins, including the 1968 Swedish Rally followed by wins at Monte Carlo in 1969 and 1970. The 1971 911 S/T offered here is one of five cars built in January 1971 to contest the East African Safari Rally, and it was driven by Waldegård himself. None of the Porsche entries completed the gruelling event, however, and only four of this group of cars still exist today, with just two still complete. This example, complete with correct 2.5-litre twin-plug racing engine, was authentically and painstakingly restored, retaining its original interior.
As offered, the Porsche is very well documented and complete with a letter from Porsche historian Jürgen Barth, describing the car as an original 2.5-litre 911 S/T rally car. Recently, it appeared at the 2007 Porsche Rennsport Reunion, as well as the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. An important evolutionary step in 911 history, this S/T represents an important part of Porsche’s motorsport DNA.
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