Lot details
Registration No: OMU279E
Chassis No: 307881S
Mot Expiry: None

- 1 of just 35 UK supplied examples

- Driven to 4th o/a (1st-in-class) on the 1st Pirelli Classic Marathon

- Current ownership since 1990 and used for various events including the VSCC's Pomeroy Trophy (1st class award)

- Extensive bodywork restoration undertaken from 2009-2013 plus suspension and rolling gear refurbishment more recently

- Stalled project in need of completion

Introduced in late 1966, the 911 S (for Super) featured a more powerful version of its standard sibling's air-cooled 1991cc flat-six engine. Credited with developing 160bhp and 132lbft of torque thanks to a reprofiled camshaft, higher compression ratio, larger valves, better porting, and bigger carburettor jets etc, the newcomer also benefited from a rear anti-roll bar (to augment the front one), Koni shock absorbers, vented (rather than solid) disc brakes and unsprung weight saving Fuchs five-spoke alloy wheels. With a 7,300rpm redline and evenly spaced gears (the exception being a notably tall fifth which permitted 100mph @ 4,200rpm), it was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 8 seconds and 137mph. Capable of humbling more exotic machinery on road or track, the 2+2-seater could also catch out the unwary. Though, Car and Driver magazine commented: 'All told, Porsche's admonition, "not for the novice" is a bit gratuitous. Within normal driving limits and with reasonable caution, the 911S handles predictably, controllably, and head and shoulders above practically anything else on the road'. Autocar magazine were similarly impressed remarking that: 'The Porsche 911S is a car one never likes to leave parked when one could be driving it'. Despite such rave reviews, a steep, import duty laden asking price kept UK sales to a minimum. Indeed, just 35 right-hand drive examples are thought to have been delivered new to these shores in 1967.

First road registered by Middlesex County Council on 28th June 1967 (or so its 'OMU 279E' number plate would imply), chassis 307881S was subsequently converted into a rally car. Driven by Peter Tyson / Keith Russell to 4th place overall (1st-in-class) on The 1st Pirelli Classic Marathon held from June 19th-26th 1988, it entered the current ownership some two years later. Campaigned in various club events, the Porsche continued to impress - including finishing second at the Vintage Sports Car Club's 1991 Pomeroy Trophy - before being parked up pending an extensive restoration. Increasing business demands meant that work did not get underway until the early 2000s by which time the vendor had started Beacon Hill Garage. Once professionally stripped the bodyshell proved to be in worse condition than expected and with customer jobs taking priority, the 911 S was again put on hold. The refurbishment process began in earnest some seven years ago and after the monocoque was, in the vendor's words, 'totally without rust and magnificent', it was painted circa 2013. He also informs us that: 'The suspension and rolling gear were done towards the end of last year. The brake system needs overhauling (only the handbrake functions at the moment). The engine runs and feels as if it would benefit from a thorough service and good blast. The flat-six was not touched when we stripped the car because it seemed absolutely fine and hopefully still is'. An accompanying V5 Registration Document lists the Porsche's engine number as '961402' but the powerplant currently fitted is stamped as '902369' which indicates that it is a replacement Type 901/01 2-litre unit.

Having experimented with lead weights, Porsche made the 911's handling more benign in extremis by extending its wheelbase for the 1969 model year. Long a sportscar icon, early short wheelbase variants have become increasingly collectible in recent years with the S being particularly sought after. Appearing to be substantially complete, 'OMU 279E' is a real rarity and one surely deserving of a return to road or competition usage.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the presence of weld deposits around its chassis number stamping we have been unable to discount the possibility that this Porsche was re-shelled prior to entering the current ownership.