Early 911 S Coupe is Steve McQueen Cool
Finished in Metallic Blue and loaded with factory options, 1969 Porsche 911 S coupe is about as nice as they come.
Porsche 911s that were produced in 1969 are something of an anomaly. The 1969 models were the first year of the long-wheel-base version but they retained the 2.0-liter engine displacement of previous short-wheel-base 911 models. What makes them somewhat unusual is the fact that these are the only long-wheel-base 911 variants to use the 2.0-liter engines, whether it was in T, E or S specification. Buyers will have a chance to bid on a stunning, highly optioned 1969 Porsche 911 S coupe at RM Sothebys Palm Beach auction on March 21, which is being held at Palm Beach International Raceway in Palm Beach, Florida. The striking coupe was restored by Porsche marque specialists Dawes Motorsport. The comprehensive rebuild was completed in 2017. Judging from the photos the 911 looks ready for the Porsche Club of America concourse lawn.Â
The exterior was repainted in the original shade of Metallic Blue, which RM Sothebys says was a special order color. The shade is pretty spectacular and depending on what angle it’s viewed at shifts from blue to almost purple. From the factory the car was equipped with fog lights and of course it sits on an iconic set of Fuchs alloy wheels. This was the first year for the longer wheelbase, which measures 89.29-inches compared to the short-wheel-base models that had an 87.05-inch wheel base. Porsche made the change to improve the handling and stability of its rear-engine sports car.Â
The interior of the Porsche features the terrific Recaro sports seats that were an option when the car was new. These are upholstered in black leather with Pepita (also known as houndstooth) inserts. The upholstery really gives the 911 that perfect vintage vibe. The Porsche also has its original AM/FM Blaupunkt radio. Under the 911’s rear engine lid is an air-cooled 2.0-liter flat-6. Despite its modest displacement the engine puts out an impressive 170 horsepower at 6800-rpm and 134 lb-ft at 5500-rpm. That’s certainly not a ton of power but keep in mind that a ’69 911 only weighed around 2,250 pounds. RM Sothebys is offering the 911 at no reserve. This might be a chance to get a sweet deal on a pretty rare vintage 911.