Without doubt, the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 has become one of the most desirable and collectable of Porsche’s immortal 911 production cars. With the FIA’s decision at the end of 1972 to limit factory-built prototypes to just 3.0-litres of displacement, Porsche’s hugely successful 917s suddenly became obsolete. The company wasted little time in finding another arena in which to compete, choosing the European Grand Touring Championship. To qualify their racing car as being truly “production-based”, they would have to build a minimum of 500 road-legal cars on which it could be based. The Carrera RS (Rennsport) was thus born as a homologation special and proved a success beyond the company’s wildest dreams.

The standard 2.4-litre 911 S with its Bosch mechanical fuel injection was chosen as the starting point. After four RS homologation prototypes were constructed, production began on a small run of competition-oriented “Sport” (or “Lightweight”) coupés (option M471), and another 435 “Comfort” (or “Touring”) versions (option M472). The Sport models saved weight by eliminating the 911’s usual soundproofing, opening rear quarter windows, rear folding jump seats, carpeting, passenger sun-visor, glovebox door, and clock. The standard fully trimmed interior door panels and armrests were retained on the Touring models but replaced on the Lightweights with simple vinyl-covered cardboard panels and minimalist door pulls and latch cords. The RS series became instantly identifiable by its distinctive but optional “ducktail” rear spoiler, which had shown the ability to greatly reduce rear-end lift at speed.

The 2.4-litre engine of the 911 S was enlarged to 2.7 litres by the use of new 90-millimetre cylinders, whose bores were coated with a new low-friction material called Nikasil. This allowed for the use of alloy barrels without the need for cast-iron liners. The new engine, retaining its Bosch mechanical fuel injection, developed 210 brake horsepower at 6,300 rpm, with 188 foot-pounds of torque at 5,100 rpm. The Type 915/08 five-speed transaxle was specially developed for the RS program. The new model’s curb weight was whittled down to a mere 1,075 kilograms in Touring form, and performance was quite shattering.

The Carrera RS 2.7 was introduced at the 1972 Paris Auto Show, and to Porsche’s amazement, all 500 units were sold almost instantly at the eyebrow-raising price of DM 33,000, leaving those who had not acted quickly enough to demand that more be built. Chastened, Porsche authorized another run whilst raising the price by another DM 1,000; these were quickly sold as well.

While most Carrera RSs were painted white with contrasting trim and painted wheel centres, some were delivered in other standard colours, and a few were delivered in paint-to-order hues. This beautifully restored example, chassis number 9113601046, is a later production version that was delivered on 1 April 1973 and shipped to a distributor in Munich. After spending the first part of its life in Germany, the RS made its way to France in 1995, where it was immediately registered with the Porsche Club RS of France. Finished in Light Yellow with an interior of black leatherette with corduroy fabric seat inserts and charcoal velour carpeting, this RS was ordered with several desirable options, including an electric sunroof and window lifts, two-stage heated rear glass, a Recaro Sports driver’s seat, a pair of halogen fog lamps, and an electric radio antenna, although for aesthetic reasons, the radio and fog lights were not installed.

This fully numbers-matching Carrera RS has recently enjoyed a complete bare-metal restoration by the same shop that restored the RS belonging to several members of the Porsche Club RS of France. The work included a full repaint, a new interior, wiring, and electrical components, as well as a full mechanical overhaul to factory specification. Stainless rocker panel covers have also been installed. The project was supervised by an eminent Porsche specialist, for which restoration photos are available on file.

The limited-production Carrera RS 2.7 provides a thrilling driving experience, its highly responsive engine delivering instant acceleration and a great exhaust note. This fine example is supplied with correct German-language manuals in their maroon vinyl pouch, including the hard-to-find RS Supplement and a Pflegepass, tool roll, jack, spare wheel, and air compressor.

This would be a truly outstanding addition to any collection of high-performance Porsches.