1975 Porsche 911S-based 911R Re-creation

Production of the second-generation 911 started in August 1973 with the 1974 model/ year G-series derivative replacing the outgoing 1973 F-series. Visually, the new 911 was given a major facelift and all three production variants now came with fuel-injected 2.7-litre engines. The entry level 911 had 150bhp, the mid-range 911 S offered 175bhp and the flagship 911 Carrera came with 210bhp and, once again, customers were given the choice of either Coupé or Targa body styles. In 1975, the H-series Carrera gained a deeper front spoiler and an (optional) IROC-style rear spoiler. The 911 ‘S’ was visually unchanged, however, the base 911 disappeared.

This lovely 911 did indeed start out as a 1975 2.7-litre 911S but was a rare, UK-supplied, right-hand drive car finished in Porsche Light Yellow. Its owner in 2013 had always been interested in recreating one of the very rare lightweight 911Rs that were the stuff of legend, and chose this H-Series Carrera as the perfect base for his re-creation. Some six years before the arrival of, undoubtedly the best known sporting 911 ever, the '73 2.7RS,  Porsche’s engineers took four standard 911S models off the production line with the intention of creating an ultra-light 911 to be known as the R (Racing). Weight reduction was the focus and the front cover, wings, doors and bumpers were made of glass-fibre-reinforced polymer, manufactured by the Stuttgart company Karl Baur. The weight reduction affected almost every part of the car. The 911R's windscreen was made of 4mm thin glass, the other glass was replaced with 2mm thick Plexiglas and what was not absolutely necessary has been left out. Purism in its purest form. In the slimmed-down cabin, two of the five instruments were removed as was the winding mechanism for the side windows and simple leather straps replaced the door pulls. Compared to a standard 1967 911 S - which at 1030kg was hardly a heavyweight - the weight reduction was 230 kg in total. Owners of modern GT2 and GT3 911s will recognise these weight saving techniques but this was 1967!  After the four original prototypes, a further 20 production 911Rs were built and when one of these original cars comes to market, the numbers are usually North of £400,000.

The transformation of this 911S into a 911R homage began in 2013 and was totally painstaking involving huge amounts of detail. Within the history file there is full photographic evidence of the build which started with all rust being eradicated, new sills, diaphragms, B-posts and kidney bowls. The later-type front slam panel was removed in favour of the Porsche early long-bonnet panel together with inner wing extensions. At the same time, the sunroof was removed to aid strength and the whole shell re-painted in Ivory White with a full livery emulating that of the 1969 Tour De France winner, Guy Larrousse . The engine cover was custom-built in GRP along with a three-piece rear bumper and valance and a one-piece front bumper. 911R-spec front wings in GRP were fitted along with steel bowls. High-impact polycarbonate windows were installed except the screen with sliders and vents as per R-spec. A pair of period-correct Recaros were installed trimmed in Alcantara and leather along with a matching dash top. A full roll-cage was fitted and TRS rebranded harnesses to complete the safety aspect.

The engine was rebuilt at the same time and the original block (6350106) bored from 2.7 to 2.8-litres and fitted with new pistons by its skilled mechanical owner. Within the car's history file are full details of the engine build and the rest of the work carried out but the list is far too long to include here, however, in September 2021 the car was rolling-road tested and displayed a maximum output of 233bhp, nearly 60 more than the standard car, which seems impressive.

Within the history file there are literally thousands of pounds worth of receipts showing the detailed attention lavished on this special Porsche and the file also contains a magazine feature on the car by Classic Porsche in January 2015, an MSA Competition Log Book to cover Hill climbs and Sprints, dated January 2015 and some associated communication with Motor Sports UK, previously Motor Sports Association.