Prior to the Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche’s flagship 911 was this, the 2.4 S. The tell-tale signs of its elevated position in the marque’s model range were the timeless Fuchs forged-alloy wheels (the first time these featured on a Porsche), the enhanced front spoiler design to increase high-speed stability and, on earlier cars, an external oil-tank filler just aft of the passenger door – a feature that was soon relocated to the engine bay following reports of people mistaking it for the fuel tank, with predictably dangerous consequences.

The 2.4-litre flat-six was fed by a new Bosch mechanical fuel-injection system and produced an ample 190bhp – for context, the 911 S tips the scales at just over a tonne, which gives you an idea of how quick the car feels from behind the wheel. Perhaps more significantly to disciples of the marque, the 2.4 S was the last of what is now considered to be the classic 911 shape, with that long bonnet and those slender hips. As originally intended, or so some would say.

Chassis number 911 330 0510 rolled off the Zuffenhausen production line in October of 1972, finished in Gemini Blue over a black leather interior. Judging by the plethora of factory optional extras listed on this car’s Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, we can only assume the original owner – an Italian man living in Modena by the name of Gian Piero del Sante – had a grudge to bear with Enzo Ferrari.

In addition to the Recaro sport seats with headrests, rear screen wiper, additional fog lights, an electronically heated windscreen and tinted front and side glass, this 911 S was fitted with the more dynamic Koni dampers on all four corners. The princely price of 6m Italian lire reflected this ‘every-box-ticked’ specification.

Adorned with the Modena registration ‘MO 287723’, this Porsche prowled the roads of Emilia-Romagna, Ferrari’s very own back garden, for 13 years, before it was sold to another Italian in the northern city of Trento. There it resided for 14 years, until June of 2000, when it was exported to the United Kingdom.

Its penultimate custodian cherished chassis 911 330 0510 in the same vein as its first two, retaining the car for almost two decades. As detailed by the wealth of invoices in the history file, he maintained it regardless of cost and with the most respected marque specialists, including Maxted-Page Ltd. and Prill Porsche Classics.

Here at Girardo & Co. we were honoured to be entrusted with rehoming this 911 S back in 2018 – we found the car a place in a fantastic collection here in the United Kingdom alongside such stablemates as a Ferrari Enzo. The keeper of said collection was positively charmed by this Porsche’s beguiling originality and mere three former owners.

Since 2019, the car has been enjoyed sparingly and maintained in a manner with which it’s familiar. A highly original example of the ultimate specification Porsche 911 2.4 S, chassis number 911 330 0510 presents beautifully and drives exactly as you’d expect of a car that’s been properly maintained throughout its entire life – the flat-six engine pulls more eagerly the higher you push through the rev range and the chassis feels as tight as a drum. Comparatively great value against the Carrera 2.7 RS, the 911 2.4 S is, in many ways, the perfect classic car to use and enjoy entirely stress-free.

Price: £150,000 (GBP)