porsche 911e
Around 1990, my trusty 1972 Porsche 911S coupe was starting to show signs of wear and tear. It had been my daily driver for quite some time, and I suspect that pushing it too hard with a worn-out MFI pump wasn’t the best idea. At the same time, I moved from Boulder, Colorado to St. Louis, Missouri, where the scorching summer weather rivals that of Bangkok in terms of heat and humidity. Driving around in a zero-option 911S with no A/C or sunroof felt like being trapped in an Easybake Oven.
That’s when a friend of mine, who was living in LA, came across a Blue Metallic ’73 ½ CIS 911T sunroof coupe in Orange County. The car had only 48,000 miles on it and was sold new at Chick Iverson Porsche in Newport Beach. Little did I know at the time that this car would turn out to be one of the most unique pre-1974 911s I’ve ever come across. It was heavily optioned, which was unusual considering that the “T” was the base model.
The Ultimate Optioned 911T
I decided to delve into just how much the car’s original MSRP was, taking into account the numerous options it came with. Here’s what I found:
- Base 1973 911 T coupe: $7,099.00
- 5-speed manual transmission: $134.50
- Appearance Group: $139.00
- Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio: $196.00
- Retractable antenna/speakers: $54.00
- Air Conditioner: $639.50
- Electric Window Lifts: $140.50
- Electric Sliding Sun Roof: $349.50
- 6 X 15-inch Forged Alloy Wheels: $396.50
- Leather Seats: $169.00
- Tinted Glass All Around: $103.50
- Fog Lights: $48.50
- Steel Front Spoiler: $99.50
- Recaro Sport Seat Left/Right: $71.00
- Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars: $71.00
- Koni Shock Absorbers: $91.00
- Front Oil Cooler: $184.50
- Limited Slip Differential: $184.50
- Blue Metallic Paint: $196.00
- Delivery Emden to LA: $366.00
Total: $10,733.00
It is worth noting that the base price of an S coupe in 1973 was approximately $9,600. So, the original owner of my ’73 ½ T spent an additional $1,133.00 to have the mother-of-all-options CIS T. A few things stood out to me. The cost of the dealer/port installed Behr A/C system was staggering, equivalent to about $4,300 in today’s money. On the other hand, the Recaro sport seats were quite a steal at around $475 in today’s dollars. But the real surprise came when I adjusted the price for inflation. This nearly $11,000 911T would only amount to about $72,000 in today’s dollars.
Unanswered Questions
There are still many unanswered questions surrounding this particular 911T. Who was the original owner, someone with deep pockets and a passion for ticking every option box? Why didn’t they opt for an E or an S? Could it have been the allure of the all-new CIS injection system? Compared to the MFI 911T, the CIS system provided smoother acceleration and eliminated the infamous 2,500 rpm flat-spot. Who knows? Equally intriguing is the whereabouts of the car today. I drove it as my daily driver for about four years until rust started to appear on the suspension pan and bubbles formed on one of the front fenders. I eventually traded it to a dealer in Omaha, Nebraska for a black/black 1982 SC coupe with only 26,000 miles on the clock. Unfortunately, I don’t have the serial number of the car saved anywhere. Is there another car out there with this exact option list?
FAQs
Q: What was the original MSRP of a base 1973 Porsche 911T coupe?
A: The base price of a 1973 Porsche 911T coupe was $7,099.
Q: How much did the additional options on the 1973.5 Porsche 911T cost?
A: The total cost of the additional options on the 1973.5 Porsche 911T was $3,634.00.
Q: What is the value of a 1973.5 Porsche 911T with these options in today’s market?
A: Adjusted for inflation, the 1973.5 Porsche 911T with all these options would be worth around $72,000 in today’s market.
Conclusion
My 1973.5 Porsche 911T with its extensive list of options remains a fond memory and a testament to the individuality and customization that Porsche enthusiasts embrace. Its unique combination of features and the allure of the CIS injection system made it a standout among its peers. As I ponder the mysteries surrounding its original owner and its current whereabouts, I can’t help but appreciate the legacy and charm of these iconic cars.