1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is regarded by many collectors and journalists as the greatest 911 ever produced. The car was manufactured as a direct result of Porsche's racing (RennSport) programme. Porsche stripped most of the weight out of the existing 911 by using thinner metal for body panels, thinner glass and removing sound proofing. Performance was also enhanced with larger rear wheel arches housing 7" wheels, a 'ducktail' rear spoiler, larger brakes and a larger fuel injected 2,687cc engine producing 210bhp. FIA Group 4 regulations for homologation required that at least 500 examples had to be produced to exacting lightweight competition specification for road use.

Porsche eventually produced 1,580 RS examples made up of cars built to both 'Touring' specification, offering basic comfort trim and upholstery, and 'Lightweight' specification. Only 55 in total were transformed to full RSR racing guise, and they went on to dominate the 1973 European GT Championship with outright wins at the Daytona 24-hours and Targa Florio. Hence, the 911 RS legend was born. Since then its unique profile and ducktail have become iconic in the world of classic cars. Chassis number 9113600235 was built to Touring specification and is a rare and highly sought after "early 500" true homologation car. The vehicle is built in the thinner metal and is as close as you will get to an actual lightweight without sacrificing the comfort of the touring interior. The car was delivered new in Germany in December 1972 and, according to factory records, detailed in the Carrera RS book by Dr. Gruber and Dr. Konradsheim, was delivered with electrically heated & tinted rear window (M102), limited-slip differential (M220), head rest left and right (M258), sport seats, Recaro (M409), shoulder lap belts, auto-retractable (M549).

The vehicle spent its life in Germany until it was imported into Denmark in 1988 by a recognized Porsche specialist as his private purchase. #235 then became subject to a three year full restoration with the purpose of preparing the car for long-term ownership. And so he did. The Porsche specialist entered the car in multiple events in Germany, Austria, UK, Sweden and Spain. His work stood the test of time, and just to mention one result the car and driver won the 2004 Porsche Parade handling competition at the Catalunya F1 circuit, Barcelona, Spain amongst 350 participating cars.

After 26 years in his ownership #235 was passed on to the current owner. The car has been well maintained and runs very well as a result. A skilled RS-specialist (with 16 full RS restorations and a high number of RS inspections in the books) concludes that #235 is among the best kept chassis he has come across. As a gesture to its rarity, and underlining how this car is built to be used and enjoyed, the car runs a 2.7 magnesium block, type 911/81, while the rare original and unused RS-block (type 911/83 - #6630259) is spared and follows the car.

Several valuable and sought after collectibles come with the car including an original tool set, the Carrera RS book by Dr. Thomas Gruber and Dr. Georg Konradsheim, the original Porsche magazine" Christopherus" issue no. 119 from November 1972 (with the first article about the RS introduction) and the original 1972 Porsche Carrera RS sales brochure as well as other magazines from the time of launch.

Silverstone Auctions can report that this RS drives as it should and represents a rare opportunity to purchase an iconic 911 - in an even rarer early 500 edition - ready to use and enjoy.