bullfighter

Background: I’m disabled due to a spinal injury in 2016. Just now getting back into driving, but I need an automatic or PDK. I love vintage and classic, but every time I hear about the Sportomatic it seems to be in the context of “how hard or expensive is it to swap for a manual?” I can no longer drive a manual, so Sportomatic is something I’m considering.

So… has anyone daily-driven a pre-‘74 Sportomatic? Is it usable in actual traffic, or more of a collector curiosity? I’ll probably go for a 993 Tiptronic, but the long hood cars.are far too cool to rule out. (And yes, I’m in Southern California so no winter driving issues.). I can’t imagine Porsche would produce these for more than a decade if they were overly fussy…

Speedster911

My brother had one for years and loved it. Drove NO CA traffic.

Igooz

I think that there are 2 parts to your post.
The first part deals with how the M/T 911 drivers who look down at the automatic 911s whether Sportmatic, Tip, PDK, etc. Just ignore them!

Regarding the Sportmatic; Last year I helped my aunt (79 year young) purchase her first 911 and we get her a fully restored 1973 911 T Sportmatic. The car checked out, drove fine, shifted fine, etc. She lives in Scottsdale. And as you stated, these transmissions were in production for a long time!

Do the normal cautionary PPI before purchase, etc. and buy whatever you like.

Speedster911

^^^ AWESOME!!!!! ^^^^ , sounds like a cool lady who is full of life. I applaud her spirit

bullfighter

I’m well past caring about transmission snobbery … I’m over 50 and have driven/owned all of them.

And - wow, your aunt is one cool lady!

Pavegeno928

Check with several of the nearby PCA regions to see if there are any mechanics with experience working on Sportomatics just to make it easier. I think it would be very cool to own and operate one. Good luck and be sure to post some pictures if you are able to find one.

archstanton

BTW, in case you haven't seen it, there's a 71T Targa w/sportomatic listed on the PCA classifieds, in San Diego area. Looks very nice. Good luck with your search.

Igooz

It is one of those things, you know, she always wanted one and then one day you wake up and you are 79 yo! Buying a fully restored car is really a nice way to get in these old cars.

parkerfe

Back in the day, Porsche raced 911s with sportmatic at Lemans and other endurance races

Speedster911

Post of a photo of her and her new car... and tell her everyone on RL thinks she is a cool lady. I hope to see her on the road or a P event.

dave292

My dad had a Sportomatic in a 72 gold T. He drove it every day for about 3 years with no issues. He was a great father and let me drive it on a regular basis on weekends. You shifted it like a manual through the gears and once you learned not to touch the shifter until you wanted to shift it was great. I would not hesitate to buy one. I think you'll really enjoy it!!
Happy hunting.

bullfighter

Thanks all! I'll keep my eyes open - sounds like a worthwhile option, though not easy to find.

Speedster911

a coule of months ago there was a nice one for sale on PP, cann't find it as I searched while on a work confrence call.

dave292

There was a Gemini Blue E for sale at Paul Russel in St. Louis about two weeks ago.

dave292

Sorry!! Daniel Schmidt and Co. St Louis.