Set to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on August 15 with an estimated value of $700,000–$900,000, this 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring represents one of the most significant road-going Porsches ever produced. It is one of only 1,308 M472 Touring examples built and belongs to the final 100 Carrera RS 2.7s assembled, making it especially desirable thanks to its rare Silumin aluminum engine block. Finished in its factory-correct Tangerine paint over a Black Perlon Corduroy interior, the car retains its matching-numbers engine and has been meticulously restored.
Introduced in 1973, the Carrera RS 2.7 was created to homologate Porsche’s Group 4 racing program, requiring the production of at least 500 street-legal cars. Although company executives initially questioned whether demand would justify production, the model quickly exceeded expectations following its debut at the 1972 Paris Motor Show. Porsche ultimately built 1,580 examples for the 1973 model year, cementing the RS 2.7 as one of the brand’s defining performance cars and establishing the blueprint for Porsche’s enduring philosophy of developing race-inspired road cars.
Unlike the more extreme M471 Lightweight variant, the M472 Touring specification delivered nearly identical performance while incorporating greater everyday comfort through a more refined interior and additional amenities. This balance made the Touring model especially appealing to enthusiasts seeking both driving excitement and practicality.
Delivered new to Italy in June 1973, this example is particularly noteworthy because it was produced during the final phase of RS 2.7 production, when Porsche introduced a stronger sand-cast Silumin aluminum crankcase in place of the earlier magnesium design. The upgrade significantly improved engine durability and laid the foundation for the reliability of later Porsche RSR competition models. As only a limited number of late-production RS cars received this enhancement, these examples are now considered exceptionally scarce and highly prized by discerning collectors.
Acquired by the current consignor in 2013, the Porsche has since undergone a comprehensive restoration while preserving its original numbers-matching engine and a correct-type gearbox. Carefully maintained as part of an important Porsche collection, it remains in outstanding condition.
Combining historical importance, rarity, factory-correct specifications, and exceptional provenance, this late-production Carrera RS 2.7 Touring offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most influential and coveted air-cooled Porsche 911s ever built.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
