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Vintage Porsches
356's & Early 911's

1974 Euro Carrera 2.7 MFI Sunroof Coupe

  • VIN: 9114600407
  • Engine Number: 6640499 (Original RS 911/83 engine)
  • Color: Lime Green (original)
  • Interior: Black Leather, Sport Seats (Original)
  • Original Mileage: 133,000 Kilometers

Optional Equipment (from CoA)

  • Bumper with rubber front & rear
  • Spoiler for rear bumper
  • Heated front windshield
  • Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio
  • Bilstein shocks front & rear
  • Engine compartment light
  • Cooling system
  • Electric sliding roof
  • Rear fog light

Model Information

Probably because they were not imported into North America, many people here don't realize that Porsche continued to use the famous 911/83 2.7 MFI engine of the iconic '73 RS in '74 and '75 Euro Carreras. There were 1026 Coupes and 433 Targas built with the RS engine in '74 and another 518 Coupes and 197 Targas in '75. The total number of the more highly desired Coupes was 1544. In comparison, there were 1590 '73 RS models produced.

The RS engines did not meet the new US emission standards of '74 and so RS engine equipped cars were not available for the Northern American market. US spec Carreras of '74 and '75 were equipped with a 2.7 K-Jetronic, producing only 175HP in '74 and 165HP in '75. By comparison, the RS engine used in the RS models of '73 and the Euro Carrera models of '74 and '75, produces 210HP. The two engines are in no way comparable in performance and therefore are not comparable in value..

Even though the '74 and up cars received the new safety bumpers, the mechanicals were the same as the '73 RS. With the same horsepower to weight ratio, the Euro Carreras as quick and responsive as the '73 RS Touring version. In 1974 the Porsche Euro spec. was also available with the famous ducktail spoiler in most ROW countries (excluding Germany) which makes it the most desirable year to many.

Comparison: Euro vs. U.S. Carreras

Here's a post I made to the Early 911S Registry about Euro Carreras:

I'm just getting started gathering information on the early impact bumper cars (I started with 356's and I'm working my way up through the years I guess). There are substantial differences between U.S. Carreras and Euro Carreras (which were actually RoW):

To identify them:

  • U.S. Carrera - Fifth digit of the VIN is "4"
  • Euro - Fifth digit of the VIN is "6"

Engine:

  • U.S. - 2.7 CIS (K-Jetronic) burdened with smog devices and producing 175HP. Engine number begins with 634.
  • Euro - 2.7 K with MFI (same exact engine as the '73 RS Carrera, type 911/83) with minimal smog devices, producing 210HP. Engine number begins with 664.

Transmission:

  • U.S. Carrera - 915/40
  • Euro Carrera - 915/06

Spoiler:

  • U.S. - '74 ducktail; '75 whale tail
  • Euro - '74 ducktail except tail delete in Germany; '75 whale tail

Wheels:

  • U.S. - 6's & 7's
  • Euro - 7's & 8's

Shocks:

  • U.S. - Bilstein
  • Euro - Bilstein

Sway Bars:

  • U.S. - 20/18mm
  • Euro - 20/18mm

Comparison: Euro Carrera vs. RS

The Euro Carreras are often referred to as the "poor man's RS" in Europe. They have the following in common with the '73 RS:

  • Engine, type 911/83 (Carrera 2.7s use Alusil linerless cylinders).
  • Suspension is similar, but the Euro Carrera has slightly larger anti-roll bars than the RS - and the Euro Carrera has forged aluminum trailing arms which are 7.7 pounds lighter than the steel trailing arms on the RS.
  • 7,200RPM tachometer & 300KM/H speedometer
  • Same weight to horsepower ratio: the RS Touring version and the Euro Carrera both weigh in at 2,365 pounds and both have 210 horsepower.

Production Numbers:

  • '73 RS - 1590
  • '74 Euro Carrera Ducktail - 1026
  • '75 Euro Carrera Whale Tail - 518
  • '76 Euro Carrera Whale Tail - 123

Note: There were also several hundred Euro Carrera Targas produced.

Prices:

  • U.S. - Top of World maybe $50K
  • Euro - Top of World maybe $100K
  • '73 RS - Top of World probably $250K +

Here's a quote I found from a website by Matt Holcomb:

In 1974, when Porsche phased in the G-model, big-bumper, middle-year 911s, the RS Carrera was re-born as the 'Carrera 2.7', while the RS appellation was reserved for a sparsely-appointed, Turbo-bodied, 3.0 litre car. But the '74-75 Carrera 2.7 was identical to the standard Carrera RS -- the M472, or 'Touring' version as it's commonly referred to. The Carrera 2.7 had the same engine and the same suspension geometry as the 1973 RS, but it was all covered up by a compromised and conservative-looking body, and this rankled -- and alienated -- hard-core enthusiasts. Only 3,300 Carrera 2.7s were built (about 1500 Coupes), and while the world is quickly waking up to these cars, some people (like the author) who value on-road dynamics over aesthetics, are the lucky owners of the best-ever road-going 911 for a third of the price of the 1973 Carrera RS.

The Euro cars are pretty hard to find -- and so is information about them. I would appreciate any additional information that others might be able to provide.

This Car

#407 is a 1974 Euro Carrera 2.7. This car was part of a private collection in California and has spent most of its life there. The previous owner is an almond grower in Central California. When I walked into his warehouse it was filled with a large number of classic American cars -- and this car which really looked like it didn't fit there.

It was repainted in the original and unusual color of Lime Green (code N8N8) in the late 90's. The original RS 2.7 MFI engine and transmission have been recently overhauled. The interior is fitted with sportseats, sport leather steering wheel and lightweight door panels. It's equipped with an original ducktail decklid and original electric sunroof. It is incredible to drive.

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