Mention the words Carrera RS to some people – our kind of people – and be prepared to start mopping up the drool. It was the first in a long line of RS models that Porsche produced, starting in 1973, leading straight up to the GT2 RS we have today. In short, it's arguably the ultimate classic 911, and there's a particularly splendid example coming up for auction.
What you see here is a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, one of just 1,580 examples produced. But this isn't just any RS 2.7. This was a Lightweight model – essentially the RS of RSs, and one of just 200 made.
The Lightweight was mechanically identical to the more luxurious Touring model, with a 2687-cc flat six, fuel injection, a stiffer suspension, bigger wheels and brakes, wider rear fenders to fit them in, and a ducktail rear spoiler. Lightweight versions, however, were fitted with thinner-gauge steel bodywork and thinner glass to help shave a good 220 pounds off the curb weight, and making it ripe for competition in the FIA's Group 4 class.
Chassis number 9113600354 was delivered new to one Peter Zbinden, who would go on the following year to be crowned the Swiss National Champion. It's believed to have competed in sprint, hillclimb, and sports car races across Europe, along the way cracking its engine block and having it replaced.
It arrived in America in 1993 in stellar condition despite its age and use, but was still treated to a full restoration process. “Even some 20 years after the completion of its restoration,” reports RM Sotheby's, “chassis number 0354 still presents exceptionally well to this day.”
The 2.7 is set to feature at the auction house's Monterey auction during Pebble Beach, and is sure to garner some attention and then some from Porschephiles. Only one will be able to take it home, but there's a second Touring model (chassis number 9113600427) on offer as well from the same model year and in a deeper, taxicab shade of yellow. (Photos by Erik Fuller, courtesy of RM Sotheby's.)
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