Widely celebrated as one of the most iconic air-cooled Porsche models ever produced, the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 remains a benchmark in the evolution of high-performance sports cars. The example currently listed on Bring a Trailer is particularly significant, as it belongs to the highly sought-after Lightweight M471 Sport specification—one of only 200 cars built in this configuration from a total production run of 1,580 units.
Finished in its original Gulf Blue paint, this Carrera RS was initially delivered to Volkswagen Sverige in Södertälje, Sweden. After sustaining accident damage, it was acquired in 1974 by a Swedish Porsche technician who painstakingly restored the car during his spare time while employed at a Porsche dealership. The RS stayed in Sweden until 1986 before relocating to the United States, where it passed through several prominent collections. It returned to Europe in 2011 and was later imported back to the U.S. in 2021.
Developed to satisfy FIA Group 4 homologation regulations, the Carrera RS 2.7 combined lightweight engineering with race-inspired performance. Porsche reduced mass through the use of thinner glass, minimized sound insulation, a fiberglass ducktail rear spoiler, and a redesigned lightweight front bumper. The model also received widened rear fenders to accommodate a broader track, enhancing both stability and handling.
This Lightweight example retains many of its factory-correct performance features, including 15-inch Fuchs alloy wheels wrapped in Avon Radial tires measuring 185/70 up front and 215/60 at the rear. Ventilated disc brakes at each corner deliver dependable stopping power, reinforcing the car’s motorsport-derived engineering.
Inside, the cabin emphasizes function over luxury. Fixed-shell bucket seats upholstered in black fabric with vinyl headrests are fitted with Repa harnesses, while a leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel fronts classic VDO instrumentation. The gauge cluster includes a replacement 180-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level, oil level, oil temperature, and oil pressure.
Mounted behind the rear axle is Porsche’s legendary 2.7-liter Type 911/83 flat-six, featuring Nikasil-coated cylinders and Bosch mechanical fuel injection. Factory-rated at 230 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, the engine delivers power through a 915 five-speed manual gearbox paired with an optional limited-slip differential, preserving the engaging driving experience that established the Carrera RS 2.7 as one of Porsche’s most revered creations.
Source: Bring a Trailer
