Manny Alban of the Porsche Club of America drives a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring during Porsche Parade in Palm Springs, calling it the origin of the 911 RS lineage. Built as a homologation model for FIA Group 4 racing, the Carrera RS followed earlier competition 911s and featured weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, and a distinctive ducktail spoiler. Porsche expected to build 500 units but produced about 1,600 due to strong demand, allowing it to compete in additional classes.
The Touring version adds comfort features compared to the stripped Lightweight model, making it more practical for road use and long trips. Powered by a 210-horsepower 2.7-liter flat-six and a 5-speed manual gearbox, the RS weighs about 2,400 pounds and delivers sharp throttle response, light steering, and precise handling. With no modern driver aids, it offers a raw, mechanical driving experience that demands full attention.
Alban describes the RS as a true street-legal race car—engaging and rewarding on canyon roads yet usable for road trips. Highly collectible today, Touring models often sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, while Lightweight versions can exceed $1 million.
Source: Porsche Club of America
