Description
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.
Based on a lightened 911S platform, the Carrera RS featured revised suspension and wider rear wheels (beneath flared wheelarches) 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 made a vital contribution 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) 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 ‘the details below’ to ‘the details below’, the first 10 chassis having been prototypes.
This example was manufactured in December 1972 and shipped to the the UK in January 73 to Glen Henderson motors in Ayr, Scotland (official Porsche dealer at the time). Chassis ‘the details below’ is a right-hand drive matching-numbers Carrera RS to M472 Touring specification.
Its believed the car competed early in its life with Autofarm and ran in RSL specification in Grand Prix white. The engine was rebuilt to 2. 8 specification in 1988.
The current owner acquired the car in 2005 and returned it back to original specification including full respray to original Dalmation blue along with associated repair work and replacement parts.
The car is presented as a usable classic which gives a unique opportunity to enjoy and drive an icon of Porsche motoring history. We have an extensive history file on the car and would welcome and advise an inspection to fully appreciate the car.
130, 862 Miles
Dalmation blue (car had been previously painted GP white but was put back to original colour by the current owner in 2005)
Engine has been rebuilt to 2. 8l specification
Matching numbers (gearbox number has worn away)
Heated rear window
Drivers door mirror
Electric sunroof
Electric windows
Extensive history file
