A long journey has come to an end.
A Porsche 911 with a Sportomatic transmission had a near-mythical status in my ongoing survey of classic sports cars with two pedals. It had an actual gearshift, and you had to select the gears yourself — no automatic shifting here.
Three years ago, we located and purchased a 1975 911 S Sportomatic from the “For Sale” corral at the annual swap meet in Hershey, PA.
Even though the car had only 50,000 original miles and was in good overall condition, as with any car that comes from storage and is returned to daily-driver condition, there were hurdles to overcome. These included broken engine studs and a recalcitrant gearbox.
One at a time, we addressed the issues.
A&P Specialties attended to the suspension (now set to European height) and electrics, with new shocks and bushings and a new alternator, among other things. A&P also installed an oil cooler.
Then it was Avant-Garde Collection’s turn to tackle the engine and gearbox. The flat-6 was freshened with new Mahle pistons and sleeves and new studs. All of the bushings in the Sporto linkage were replaced and the mechanism adjusted.
The call came a week ago from John Harworth, Avant-Garde’s collection manager. He relayed that Kyle Kloewer, the tech responsible for our engine and gearbox, was nearly finished with the car. The last thing to be done was to install pressure-fed Carrera chain tensioners, and the car would be ready for me.
Frankly, up until this point the car had been stressful to drive. Between worrying about the broken studs, the engine oil running hot, the charging light coming on, the worn shocks and the vagueness of the transmission (it would often lock up when you put in into park), there wasn’t much driving enjoyment to be had.
Last weekend, however, I put my first 200 miles on the car since its freshening. The magic was truly revealed.
I don’t know when I’ve had as much fun driving a car. I took a gently winding road to Seaside, on the Oregon Coast. The Porsche pulled strong and cruised easily at 80 mph. Weighing only 2,500 pounds and with 170 horsepower, it was quick enough. The gearbox was easy to use. The car was remarkably flat through the turns, far more than our 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 or even the 1971 Jaguar E-type.
In short, the 911 has moved into first place on the “Let’s drive this one today” list. It’s been worth the wait.
What’s the longest it’s taken you to get a car truly road ready? I look forward to reading your answers below.
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13 responses to “Keith’s Blog: The Sporto Hits the Road”
Incredible ROI!
Keith, I love that you’ve had two disparate interests, dance and sports cars. I can identify as I was a biology professor at a major university for 40 years with a slightly secret enthusiasm for driving sports cars. Keep up the great work.
Congrats on finally getting her on the road Keith. I hope you keep it longer than usual, and flog it regularly. You have truly earned the seat time in this one as well as the driving rewards that come with it.
Back to the main question, I am 10 years into getting an old BMW “truly road worthy” and the end is not in sight. The usual stalling points of time and money have recently become even larger with the steep rate increases most shops now charge for hourly mechanical or paint work one cannot/will not do them selves for what ever reasons. On lower value cars (which are the only bracket I can afford to play in) a few days or weeks in the shop and some parts can easily equal or exceed the purchase price of the whole damn running car, while leaving one ultimately way upside down on a theoretically “truly road worthy” project at competition. I fear for the effect this will have in future for us not well heeled enthusiasts, and the cars they would other wise be saving and enjoying.
Glad to hear it turned out better than expected. Tough to beat a dialed in 911 of any vintage. Hope this makes you change your mind about selling and it becomes part of the long term fleet.
Keith, that, is fantastic! It’s always great when things turn out better than planned! Very happy for you!
That’s great! Really happy you’re getting a real 911 experience. Enjoy!
Congratulations! Sounds like you follow my practice of spending whatever it takes to make a car right … a practice not recommended by investment advisors! Enjoy.
I had a 2.4T Sporto for many years and loved it dearly but sold it due to not using it enough.
Re getting a car back on the road. I last drove my 2.2S back in 2006 and we are NEARLY ready for it to be back running. Just a few more things then we’re good to go.
I bought my first Porsche in 1968, a blue 1960 roadster by Drauz. I paid $1300 for it and it had a rough top and a brown plastic back window. I had a set of metric tools and a garage, and proceeded to take it apart, stripped it to bare metal, rebuilt the engine, and repainted it in my favorite Porsche color at the time, champagne yellow. The Maestro, as he was known at that time, Harry Pellow, helped me with the parts and pieces to build a stunning restoration. I enjoyed it for a couple of years, and my eye was caught by a 911 Targa in guards red. I moved on from there through a series of Porsches, nine in total, 356’s, 912’s, and 911’s until my finances took a serious downturn, and I sold my beloved 1965 SC cabriolet in 1987. It was the first time in 22 years that I was without a sports car since college. Auto depression set in until I saw an ad for a clapped out MGB for sale in Palo Alto for $700. I bought it, resurrected it from sure demolition, painted it guards red, rebuilt everything, and sold it for an unheard of at the time for $8500. Got me back on the Porsche train as finances were looking up, but I will never forget the joy of cruising in the red MGB on a sunny day that got me back on the road to convertible joy.
Keith, does this mean that you’re no longer gonna have 911R sell the Sporto for you, as previously shared? Either way glad to hear how great it drives now!
My first Porsche was a ‘65 911 with a ‘67 911S engine and a 5-speed. I’ve had a couple more, sold my 98 Boxster a year or so ago, and I kind of felt that my Porsche itch had been well scratched.
But I’ve got a bum left leg like you, and I’ve now read a couple of your columns raving about the old Porsche sportomatic. And I’m starting to feel that itch again.
Those older 911s are really great cars, and the sportomatic sounds 100% tolerable. If the right deal comes my way, I might just jump on it.
Thanks for the tip.
Keith, having read of your plan to list your Sporto on BaT following some final repairs in last month’s issue I was
still a little disheartened when I read your headline. I became more so as I read your account of how it was transformed into a wonderful car to drive, wondering why you sold it.
Reading further my bewilderment turned to elation when I realized that your headline referred to your Sporto as being ready to *drive* rather than meaning that you sold it down the road.
Now I’m looking forward to reading of your first post repair road trip. Enjoy it!
I’m still intrigued by Sportos. Working at a VW-Porsche-Audi dealership in the mid 1970’s, an early ’70s Mexico Blue 911 Targa Sporto was towed in, its owner stating that it wouldn’t start. A compression test revealed very low compression. The owner then chose to trade it in and purchase a new VW Rabbit. Expressing an interest, I was given first refusal before the 911 would be wholesaled. Thinking of all that could be wrong with the engine I opted out.
The wholesaler returned a few days after taking possession of the 911 a very happy man. He stated that it turned
out that the valves were way out of adjustment. Once adjusted the engine started right up and ran well.
That was my first “the one that got away”.
Keith,
Only three years – consider yourself lucky!!!
Earlier this year, there was an article in “Old Cars Weekly” about a 1962 Buick Invicta convertible that finally and only became completely roadworthy after 35 years!!!
You can see that article online in Old Cars Weekly,
published Feb 11, 2025 4:27 PM PST.
Glenn in Brooklyn, NY