Born with the crucible of competition in mind, Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring is considered by many to be the ultimate dual-purpose sports car. Success at the track on the weekend did indeed translate into sales on Monday, and the cars achieved great success in the hands of the factory and privateers alike.

Completed by Porsche in February of 1973, this particular Carrera RS was designated for the Italian market. Built to Touring specification and finished in Blutorange (Tangerine) over a black leather interior with corduroy seat inserts, the car was optioned with a limited slip differential. Its first owner would be Ing. Renato Baneie and the car was registered in his name with the Palermo registration number of PA 413985.

It was only fitting that a car designed with motorsport at its heart and delivered new to Sicily would wind up competing in Sicily’s most iconic road race, and this very car was entered in the Targa Florio by Renato Barraja and Giuseppe Saporito in 1975. The pair would finish 16th overall and 8th in class, a truly impressive result for such a grueling event that included factory-backed entries. In Barraja’s ownership, the car competed in two further hill climbs in Sicily; the Monte Pellegrino Hillclimb in November of 1976 and the Cefalu Hill Climb in 1977.

By the late 1970s’ the car remained in Italy, but like so many Carrera RS 2.7’s owned by drivers looking to keep themselves at the front of the grid at that time, this car was converted to later RS 3.0 configuration. It is believed that by this point the car had moved to the Italian mainland, registered in Mantua in 1979 and later in Parma in 1983. Remaining in Italy through the following years, the car was sold to Rennsport Classic Racing Srl in Reggio Emilia. Upon its Targa Florio history being discovered, the car was restored back to its original configuration in the mid-2000’s.

After a short stint in Austria, the RS 2.7 was sold back to Italy and acquired by Enrico Consoli of Brescia in 2007 and was issued a FIVA identity card in 2011. Acquired the current owner approximately ten years ago and imported to the United Kingdom, its Italian restoration has been well preserved with the car largely being kept in static storage. As such, it is recommended that the car undergo a mechanical recommissioning prior to regular road use.

A recent inspection by Andy Prill of Prill Porsche Classics commissioned by RM Sotheby’s determined that the car is indeed a genuine Carrera RS 2.7, with both the chassis number stamping and production number being authentic and matching Porsche’s build records. Evidence of numerous repairs are present, in keeping with its conversion back from RS 3.0 specifications and race history. It is also important to note that the crankcase is a correct replacement, likely sourced from Porsche in period. The full report is available for inspection in the car’s history file.

Fifty years since its heyday and the RS 2.7 is considered by many to be a true blue-chip collectable, as arguably one of the most iconic Porsches ever built. Every top-tier collection contains a 2.7 RS but finding an example with bona-fide competition history is easier said than done, especially so for cars with participation in major international events like the Targa Florio. Painstakingly returned to its Targa Florio livery earlier this year, it would surely be invited back to participate in the Targa Florio Classica, and remains highly eligible for some of the world’s most exciting historic racing events, such as the Tour Auto or Modena Centro Ore.