SIGNAL YELLOW

Signal Yellow

Tommy King talks us through the details of his 1972 S/T inspired 911 build.

“My obsession with early 911s began around 2018. As a native to Los Angeles, we’re spoiled by scenic twisty roads, beautiful weather and widespread car culture. Late that year, I took a ride with a friend in his 1974 Carrera up Angeles Crest to a regular Friday morning Porsche gathering at Newcomb’s Ranch. I had a great time meeting new faces and upon descending the mountain, I got a little behind-the-wheel time. I rushed home that day, jumped on the computer, and started browsing the local classifieds.”

Now a regular of the LA Porsche scene, there’s a little more than meets the eye to Tommy Town’s 1972 Signal Yellow 911. On the outside, it’s closely inspired by the original 911 S/T, the early 70s race-prepped Porsche that largely kept the same design motifs as a 1960s 911, while also introducing the first iteration of the wide body 911 look, a preview of the much more pronounced arches that would come on the following 3.0 RS and 930 Turbo.

In the engine bay, things get a little more advanced. Mated to the block are a set of high compression pistons and cylinder barrels, which increase the total capacity to 2.5 litres. Further out from them are a set of twin-plug heads, something that wouldn’t appear on a production 911 until the 1990s.

Finally, a mechanical injection system provides the fuel delivery, so it has all the makings of “a street-able race motor” capable of 260bhp, ample for a car weighing just 2100lbs (953kg).

It has all the makings of “a street-able race motor” capable of 260bhp, ample for a car weighing just 2100lbs (953kg).

“My first 911 was a 1985 3.2 Carrera, black on black wearing polished Fuchs wheels and purchased from the original owner who bought the car new at Beverly Hills Porsche. In hindsight, this was the car I should have never sold… we all have one. I learned the basics of Porsche mechanics and spirited driving in that car but as time went by, I began to long for something a little rawer. Something lighter that I could throw around corners a bit more. Naturally, that’s when the build of this signal yellow, 1972 911 ’S/T’ hot rod commenced.”