911 2.7 RS Carrera highlights
- One of the most iconic sports cars of all time
- Delivered new in Germany
- Present ownership for more than 15 years
- An older restoration
- Recently checked by Porsche specialists Garage Moderne in Geneva
- Registered in Switzerland
Background
Porsche revived the Carrera name for its top-of-the-range 911 in 1972, the model making its public debut at that year’s Paris Motor Show on 5th October. Designated Carrera RS (Renn Sport), the newcomer was intended as a limited edition ‘homologation special’ to enable the factory to enter Group 4 competition in the Special GT class, with a minimum build requirement of 500. However, the demand for this fabulous car proved so great that the production run was later extended by another 500 units, qualifying the RS to compete also in Group 3, which it would dominate. The Carrera RSR GT-category racer collected overall wins in the World Sportscar Championship at Daytona and the Targa Florio in 1973, defeating 3-litre prototypes from Ferrari, Matra and Mirage-Ford in the process, an outstanding achievement for a production-based car.
Aero upgrades
Based on a lightened 911S platform, the Carrera RS featured revised suspension and wider rear wheels (beneath flared wheel arches) for improved handling, while the 2.7-litre, fuel-injected, air-cooled, six-cylinder engine’s 210bhp boosted top speed to around 150mph (240km/h). Not merely styling gimmicks, the Carrera’s trademark ‘duck tail’ spoiler and front air dam contributed to high-speed stability and represent Porsche’s first serious experimentation with aerodynamic devices on a production car. Above all it was the reduction of weight that transformed performance. Lighter body materials and ruthless pruning of non-essentials brought the weight of the Carrera RS down to below 900kg, enabling it to devastate the competition on the racetracks of Europe and the USA.
Private customers wishing to purchase a Carrera RS could choose between two specifications: the Lightweight (M471) was intended for competition, whereas those who valued comfort could specify the Touring package (M472) which cost an extra DM 2,500 (￡430) and offered the luxury of the 911S’s trimmed and upholstered interior. Excluding prototypes, Porsche built 1,580 examples of the 2.7-litre Carrera RS, the production chassis numbering sequence running from ‘9113600011’ to ‘9113601590’, the first 10 chassis having been prototypes.
Chassis no. 9113600240
This RS Touring was completed on 11th January 1973 and delivered new to Germany finished in Yellow (code ‘6262’), an original color according to the Porsche 911 2.7 RS book. The interior was trimmed in black, and this car retains its original matching-numbers dashboard (‘103 3256’). Although not original to this car, the engine (Type 911/83) dates from 1972 and is correct, as is the Type 915 gearbox (‘785 0321’), although that too is not original.
The Carrera was purchased from Pichler Porsche in Gstaad, Switzerland by the current vendor on 26th October 2007, having already been fully restored. More recently the mechanicals were checked by renowned Porsche specialists Garage Moderne in Geneva, while the Pirelli tires are new. The car is presented in very good condition and comes complete with tool kit, spare wheel and a Swiss Carte Grise. Also on file is an inspection report from Jochen Bader confirming the authenticity of the chassis number and the status of the engine and gearbox.
It is rare to see an early Touring M472 not transformed into a Lightweight but presented as it left the factory early in 1973, as is the case with this example, which represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic sports cars in motoring history. A must for any serious collector.
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