Porsche Early 911 (Longhood) Price Guide & Auction Results

The original Porsche 911 debuted for the 1965 model year as a replacement for the 356, and the "longhood" cars built through 1973 established the shape the 911 has never fundamentally departed from. Early cars used a 2.0-liter air-cooled flat-six, growing to 2.2 liters in 1970 and 2.4 liters in 1972 as Porsche chased more power and, just as importantly, more low-end torque and reliability. Trim levels split the lineup into the base 911, the sportier 911S with higher compression and better brakes, and the 911T, a lighter, more affordable entry point aimed at enthusiasts who wanted the driving experience without every option box ticked. A fuel-injected 911E slotted in between. In 1969 Porsche stretched the wheelbase roughly two inches to tame the car's notorious tail-happy handling, so longhood cars are commonly split into "short wheelbase" (1965–1968) and "long wheelbase" (1969–1973) generations by collectors — a distinction that matters more to values than most casual buyers expect.

The era's undisputed halo car is the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, built in small numbers for homologation purposes with a lightweight body, ducktail spoiler, and the largest flat-six Porsche had built to date. Real RS 2.7s now trade in the high six to seven figures and rarely appear at auction, but they define the ceiling for what an early 911 can be worth.