Some cars come with a story; this one has a particularly poignant past. A 1972 Porsche 911E in Signal Yellow – once the pride and joy of its owner’s late wife—has sat dormant for 18 years. Now, with a fresh lease of life in sight, the goal isn’t an obsessive nut-and-bolt restoration but a recommissioning: keeping it as original as possible while ensuring it drives like Stuttgart intended.
Enter Graham, the Workshop Manager, a man who knows his way around an air-cooled flat-six. His mission? To revive this rare right-hand-drive Sportomatic 911E with sensitivity, skill & a keen eye for authenticity.
The Porsche 911E: A Snapshot of its Legacy
Built between 1969 & 1973, the Porsche 911E was the middle child in the range; slotted between the no-frills 911T & the firecracker 911S. The ‘E’ stands for Einspritzung—German for ‘injection’—signifying its Bosch mechanical fuel injection system. This wasn’t just about efficiency; it made the power delivery smoother & the driving experience more refined.
By 1972, the 911E came with a 2.4-litre flat-six, producing 165bhp. A key quirk of this model year? The one-year-only external oil filler door—a well-intentioned design decision that was swiftly dropped after too many people mistook it for a fuel filler. Classic Porsche eccentricity at its finest.
But here’s the kicker: this one’s a Sportomatic. Porsche’s early attempt at an automatic transmission, clutchless, but still shiftable was designed for effortless grand touring rather than full-throttle backroad blasts. Love it or loathe it, it’s a rarity today, making this particular 911E even more special.
The Sportomatic system was Porsche’s first real attempt at an automatic transmission, aimed at making driving easier while maintaining some degree of manual control. Unlike a conventional automatic, the Sportomatic transmission doesn’t change gears for the driver; instead, it allows for manual selection of gears but eliminates the need for a clutch pedal. Instead, a vacuum-operated system disengages the clutch when the gearstick is touched. The result is a gearbox that offers a level of driver engagement not found in traditional automatics, though purists often prefer the traditional manual gearbox.
Recommissioning the 911E: The Master Plan
This is a sympathetic revival, not a concours restoration. “The owner has a budget & just wants to enjoy the car again,” says Graham. “We’re focusing on getting the engine running, testing the gearbox & driveline, then making sure the brakes & fuel system are all up to scratch before looking at the bodywork.”
Phase 1: Engine & Fuel System Revival
The car’s been sitting for nearly two decades; unsurprisingly, the fuel system is shot. “All the fuel lines have perished; the fuel tank is full of corrosion,” Graham explains. First job? New fuel lines, a deep clean of the injection system & replacing all the brittle rubber hoses, belts & vacuum lines.
On the plus side, there’s hope: “The engine turns over, has oil pressure & compression so we’re in good shape,” he adds. But before it roars back to life, the fuel system needs to be 100% sorted.
Phase 2: Testing the Sportomatic Gearbox
A clutchless manual, Sportomatic allows you to shift gears without a pedal; instead, a vacuum-operated system disengages the clutch when the gearstick is touched. “It’s an odd system, but it works,” Graham says. “We won’t know if it’s functional until we fire up the engine & test it under load.” Fingers crossed.
Phase 3: Brakes & Driveline Check
Once the engine’s running, the driveline & brakes take centre stage. The car’s been idle for too long to trust the existing system, so every calliper, disc & line will be checked to ensure it’s safe before it hits the road.
Braking performance is key for any classic car. Given the car’s age, the existing braking components may have corroded or degraded beyond safe usability. The team will inspect everything and replace only what is necessary to retain as much of the car’s originality as possible. The suspension will also receive a once-over, with bushings and mounts being checked to ensure they haven’t deteriorated over time.
Phase 4: Keeping the Interior & Bodywork Original
This isn’t a resto-mod job. “The owner wants to keep the originality intact,” Graham says. “The seats, dash & headlining? All original & in great condition.” That’s unheard of for a 50-year-old Porsche.
The bodywork will get attention in time, but for now, the priority is mechanical soundness. The goal? To keep it as close to how it left the factory as possible.
FAQs About the Porsche 911E
What makes the Porsche 911E special?
A balance of performance & comfort, the 911E featured mechanical fuel injection, making it smoother & more refined than carburetted models.
How does the 911E compare to the 911T & 911S?
- 911T: Entry-level, carburetted, lower power.
- 911E: Mid-range, fuel-injected, smoother drive.
- 911S: High-performance, sharper handling.
What is a Sportomatic transmission?
A clutchless manual system. The driver shifts gears, but a vacuum-operated clutch system disengages the drive automatically.
How rare is a right-hand-drive Sportomatic 911E?
Exceptionally rare. Most Sportomatic cars were left-hand drive, making this example highly collectible.
Is the 911E a good investment?
Values of classic 911s are rising, & a well-preserved, rare variant like this is bound to appreciate further.
Bringing a Classic Back to Life
This 1972 Porsche 911E Sportomatic isn’t just another classic car—it’s a time capsule, a family heirloom, a machine with stories to tell. With Graham & his team at the helm, it’ll soon be back where it belongs: on the road, turning heads & making memories.
For classic Porsche enthusiasts, this is the perfect example of how a recommission can respect the past while ensuring the future. And let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to see this Signal Yellow icon stretching its legs again?
