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“Preservation superstar” - 30,881 original miles
Major and comprehensive service and mechanical restoration by Canepa
Matching numbers, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Has service documents, tool kit, and spare wheel and tire
One of the finest 911S examples seen at Canepa
“Long hood” Porsche 911s are considered to be one of the most beautiful and pure forms of the entire 911 lineage. With their simple yet elegant lines, just the right amount of details, and of course that sweeping hood line, they are without question one of the most sought-after generations of the storied Porsche lineage. Finding an example that is in excellent original condition is often times an impossible task. Many cars have deteriorated due to earth’s elements, their original style changed dramatically by people’s interesting modifications, or a car meets its untimely demise from its owner’s overconfidence. That makes the experience of finding a highly original early 70’s Porsche 911 that much sweeter, especially like this example that just arrived at Canepa.
This 1973 Porsche 911S was originally delivered to Canada based on its Certificate of Authenticity. Heavily optioned from the factory, items included: Stabilizer bars and Koni shock absorbers, rear window wiper, limited slip differential, leather seats, oil cooler, extended steering wheel hub, white perforated roof liner, and green tinted glass. The car was further enhanced with driving lights and factory-optional 7”x15” Fuchs alloy wheels. Completed at the Porsche factory on September 11th, 1973, the car was painted in the timeless Tangerine orange color over black leather interior.
Often times the condition of the car speaks to the life that it has lived thus far, and this 911S is no exception. Reportedly spending most of its time in California and in Arizona, the condition of the car represents a 911 that was meticulously cared for, stored correctly, and lovingly preserved. The car was owned by Eade Hopkinson of Encinitas, California in 2006 pursuant to copies of the car registration, before it went to its most recent long-time owner. This owner had an all-original 1973 Porsche 911T that made a nice bookend collection for the last of the long hood 911s. After a few years of enjoyment both of the cars made their way to Canepa’s shop in early 2014. This is where the Tangerine 911S would find itself treated to one of the most meticulous and detail-oriented preservation restorations ever performed.
An excellent car like this 911S did not need a full restoration. It was rust and accident free; the original paint was beautiful and the original interior was in like-new condition. Keeping the car as original as possible was the ultimate goal.
Canepa’s incredibly talented and experienced staff began by disassembling the car down to the tub, as you would for a full restoration. The team at Canepa were very familiar with this era of car, making the servicing and mechanical refurbishing almost second nature. Every part was taken off the car, and then evaluated. The body was hand cleaned from top to bottom, taking care to preserve the original paint, and then the entire car was polished over several painstaking stages, using no wool pads or compounds and just foam pads and polish, to bring it back to as new luster.
The matching numbers engine was removed along with the transmission; cleaned, resealed, and reinstalled with new mounts. The engine was taken down to long block to ensure that every component was checked, cleaned and mechanically serviced. All the fuel lines, gasket and hoses were replaced. While the engine was out the flywheel was turned and a new clutch assembly fitted. Finishing off the engine compartment is a beautifully refinished original exhaust system.
Next was the suspension and brakes. All the original suspension hardware and brake tins were pulled from the car and replated. All the suspension components were rebuilt.
In the brake department the calipers were rebuilt and accurately replated; new wheel bearings installed, and new brake pads at all four corners. On the factory-optional 7”x15” Fuchs alloy wheels is a correct set of Michelin XWX tires (made in France.)
The interior is extremely original and like new. The complete interior was removed, hand cleaned, and then reinstalled. New weather seals were fitted to the doors and windows.
After every part was to factory specification and concours spotless, the car was reassembled, road tested, tuned, and detailed again. When completed, the car had received well over 800 labor hours throughout the preservation refurbishing, making this original car shine like never before.
Happy with his 911S, the owner kept the Tangerine dream for a few more years and drove sparingly, ensuring that it was serviced and garaged. In the middle of 2019 the 911S made its way back to Canepa where the owner, after owning the car for 12 years, had decided that it was time to make room for a 964 Carrera RS. It didn’t take long for Canepa to find a new home for this fantastic 911S, with the new owner falling in love with the car only a few days after being first advertised. This most recent owner kept the car for about a year, enjoying it while in his possession.
Now back at Canepa, it is ready to stun the next owner with its fantastic driving experience and original condition which could stop a concours judge dead in their tracks. Completely sorted, cosmetically and mechanically, expertly refurbished to retain its originality so well that its ready for a “Preservation Class” award, there is no room for disappointment from this 1973 Porsche 911S.
