1975 911 2.7S Reasons not to buy Reasons to buy

[leewiffen]

Hi all
I'm looking at a 75 2.7S. Consider I have just emerged from a long hibernation and know nothing about 1970's Porsche. I'd appreciate some schooling on why I shouldn't go near them and why I should
I love the style and they are affordable.....that's my starting point
Ta
Lee

[wadsworthi]

Hi Lee,

I am probably not the person to dissuade you from buying a 1975 2.7S as I have owned a model year 1975 2.7 for the last 24 years. Mine no longer looks like a 2.7S and I have long since replaced the engine with a 3 litre (for racing and the 2.7S still sits in my garage!). They do not have the under body protection of slightly younger models and the magnesium engines and gearboxes do suffer from more corrosion than aluminium. They are however lighter with a much more lively motor with it's 2.7RS derived crankshaft that gives a great driving experience. Costs are probably no more than slightly later models and certainly less than pre-impact bumper cars. On that basis I don't think I would be able stop you!

Ian

[Sam]

When they were young they had some engine issues and weren’t considered as pretty as earlier cars and the power outputs were down from the 1973 E and S models so they had a bit of a reputation as the weak-link in the evolution of the 911.

Any engine worries will now have surfaced and been repaired and time has been kind to the looks. I’d try to get the 175bhp S as it’s usefully more nippy, but other than that if you want one, get one.

If you’ve forgotten all you knew pre hibernation best advice is either to spend 2 years reading Impact Bummers to understand what to look for or pay someone who knows their stuff to inspect any prospective purchase. You won’t regret either method.

[kitesurfer2]

Like every old Porsche rust is your biggest enemy..

[leewiffen]

Any engine worries will now have surfaced and been repaired and time has been kind to the looks.

Absolutely right about time being kind to the looks. It's fascinating whether this is related to me getting older or the general change in taste making them acceptable
I remember working on these back in the late 70's early 80's and took very little notice
However I now love the impact bumper look

[tim69s]

I believe the engine troubles were really in the US, where to meet emmisions regs Porsche fitted thermal reactors to the 2.7 engine. This meant the engines ran hotter and were prone to pulling head studs out of the mag cases.
If the car you are looking at is RHD or from Europe it should be fine. If it was originally from the US then it's likely to have already been fixed.
Fairly easy to check for pulled head studs before purchasing if you're worried about it.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

[anglophone1]

I had a 74 2.7 - ex US - loved it !
I’d still have it if a thieving sod hadn’t stolen it from a Porsche rally in France 6 years ago.
C

[redrobin911]

Firstly it depends if the 1975 2.7S is US specification or Euro. The US 75 engines had many issues.... I have a 74 US spec Carrera 2.7 US spec, the 74 engines didn't have the issues the 75 US engines had, incidentally the same car model Clive had stolen in France. More info on the car would be good.....

[rdg496]

I too am considering a 2.7 US car, I am aware of the discussion around pulled head studs, US smog restrictions etc but surely these things have been remedied for cars that are still running today and have been looked after ?
And US restrictive parts removed.

I Ignored the doomsayers when I bought a 6yr Old high milage 997.1 C2S manual, the impending meltdown of that chocolate engine never happened. I had no issues with it in the 6yrs of ownership.

I like the narrow bodied models, I'm not looking for power Im looking for an engaging drive at moderate speeds in something I love the look of.

Clearly valuations are all over the shop BUT what premium should the SC trade above a late 2.7s 76/77 ?

Any views on drivability from those that have driven both ?

Any views/info good or bad most welcome.

[Sam]

I’d say none. I’d prefer a 175bhp 2.7 to a 180bhp SC. The later 204bhp SCs are notably quicker which might tip me in that direction, but I’d choose the best car rather than limit yourself to a 2.7 or SC, there’s not loads between them.

[Strictly]

I like the 2.7 for being a "revvy" engine. They certainly seem to spin up quick and make for a nice drive. I drove a really sweet 75 911S for quite a while. Given the choice of an identical 2.7 vs SC, I would choose the SC, as I prefer the aluminium engine cases and the galvanised body myself.

That said there are so many factors that come into, that I personally would only choose an SC over a 2.7 if they were otherwise identical cars. If the 2.7 is ticking all of your boxes for colour/trim/history/etc then just go for it, but expect the engine cases to need more work when it comes apart (case savers/shuffle pinning/through bolt holes spot facing/oil bypass/etc).

[rdg496]

Many thanks for the info. I prefer the aesthetics of the 2.7 so all thing being equal its what I would choose. I will continue to do my homework until we can all come out to play again

Cheers