1976 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 2.7 MFI was produced between 1974 and 1976. It was a two-door sports coupe and featured a rear-mounted, flat 6-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels through a 5-speed gearbox.

When Ferdinand Porsche's iconic Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS ceased production, a number of cars were built to be offered internationally. These were designed to be equivalent to the preceding RS but featured a mechanically fuel injected (MFI) engine producing 210bhp.

The major difference between these cars and the Carrera RS was the fitment of impact bumpers and a revised interior. Called the 'G-Series', they were identical in weight to the RS and featured either a ducktail or whale tail spoiler. Additionally a strengthened floor pan, revised lighting and other features to improve crash protection were introduced.

The Porsche 2.7 MFI's engine was essentially that of the preceding Porsche 911 2.7RS but with some improvements. A more durable design alleviated the cam and valve train problems of previous units, featuring Nikasil-coated cylinder bores and mechanical fuel injection producing 210bhp. The U.S. market had to be content with with Bosch K-Jetronic injection which met emission regulations, but cut power to 175bhp.

With almost identical performance to the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS (Touring), the 1974 Carrera MFI was renowned to be the fastest naturally aspirated 911 until the late 1980s. This is due in no small part to its low weight. Combine this with 7- and 8-inch wide tyres on the front and rear respectively, road holding was similarly impressive.

The Porsche Carrera 911 2.7 MFI will always remain synonymous in Porsche's history. Somewhat in the shadow of its more glamorous forebear, the 2.7 RS, the MFI stands in its own right as an impressive technical evolution. Values are similarly impressive with original low-mileage examples commanding strong premiums at auction and privately.

With the Porsche 2.7 RS offering an all-out racing car experience, the Porsche 2.7 MFI gave those seeking more interior comfort the best of both worlds. Well-appointed and with genuine 150mph performance, the car was an instant success to those 'in the know'. With competition from other manufacturers scarce, the technological advancements displayed by the car showed the rest of the automotive world that performance needn't necessarily mean sacrificing reliability.

Today the Porsche 2.7 MFI has very few direct competitors, but coupes such as the Aston Martin DBS, the Jaguar E-Type Series III FHC and the Jensen Interceptor III all combine power with the comfort of a sports coupe.