1971 Porsche 911S 2.2-Litre Coupé
Registration no. GPK 50K
Chassis no. 9111301356

A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, Porsche's long-running 911 arrived in 1964, replacing the 356 that had secured the fledgling company's reputation as producer of some the world's finest sporting cars. The iconic 911 would take this reputation to an even more exulted level on both the road and racetrack.

Porsche's long-running and much loved 911 sports car first appeared at the 1963 Frankfurt Show as the '901', but shortly after production proper commenced in 1964 had become the '911' following Peugeot's complaints about the use of '0' model numbers. The preceding Type 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat-six displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3.0 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.

The first of countless upgrades to the perennial 911 came in 1966, two years after production had commenced, with the introduction of the 911S. Easily distinguishable by its stylish Fuchs five-spoked alloy wheels, the 'S' featured a heavily revised engine producing 160bhp. Improved handling courtesy of a lengthened wheelbase arrived in 1969, and then in 1970 the 911's air-cooled, flat-six engine underwent the first of many enlargements - to 2.2 litres - in which form it produced 180bhp on Bosch mechanical fuel injection when installed in the top-of-the-range 'S' model. By this time the models on offer had stabilised at three: the 911T, 911E, and 911S, all of which were available as either a closed coupé or Targa convertible. With the 2.2-litre engine's arrival, a common type of cylinder head was adopted, the differing power outputs being determined principally by valve timing rather than valve sizes as had been the case hitherto. In total 1,420 coupé and 788 Targa convertible 2.2-litre 'S' models were sold worldwide.

This particular 2.2-litre 911S is one of only 44 right-hand drive examples delivered to the UK in 1971 out of 78 cars in total, making it a very rare Porsche indeed. Sold via Duncan Hamilton in 1971, there is a photo on file of the car outside the Duncan Hamilton dealership, and it still bears the dashboard sticker from this sale. The current vendor owned 'GPK 50K' during 1978/1979 and then, upon seeing it for sale some 30 years later in 2009, had to acquire it. A six-year comprehensive restoration then ensued, the task being entrusted to Andy Prill (Prill Porsche Classics), one of the most highly respected specialists in the business. The Porsche was returned to its delighted owner in October 2015, since when it has been used sparingly, covering a mere 800-or-so miles. Presented in beautiful condition, this expertly restored 911S is offered with current MoT, a V5C Registration Certificate, and restoration bills totalling some £75,000.