1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring

2,687cc SOHC Air Cooled Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
210bhp at 6,300rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*A rare and coveted Carrera RS
*One of 1,308 M472 "Touring" models built
*Delivered new to France in Sepia Brown over black
*An excellent example of Porsche's most famous and desirable homologation 911
*Engine overhaul and update completed by Autofarm in May 2022
*Offered with Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, issued in September 2017
*Certified by FIA Historic Technical Passport, valid until December 2027
*Owned for 30 years by ardent Porsche collector, Philippe Aunay, former President of Porsche Club France, and his family
*More recently owned by Josh Sadler, Porsche devotee and founder of marque-specialist workshop, Autofarm
*Featured in magazines including CAR, Classic & Sports Car, Flat6, GT Porsche, Porsche Club GB, Total 911, and Ultimate Porsche


THE 911 CARRERA RS 2.7

By 1973, Porsche was firmly established as a dominant force in motorsports. From endurance racing to rallying, to club racing, if it had wheels and they kept score, chances were strong that a Porsche was up at the sharp end of the field. The 911 was, of course, the flagship road car and, as such, was the preferred machine for production-based motorsport development. Porsche engineers and product managers always closely watched the racing rulebooks, looking for the best ways to exploit regulations to their advantage.

For the 1973 Model Year, Porsche resurrected the Carrera name for a new homologation special built to qualify for international GT racing. The standard 2.4-liter engine from the 911 S was bored out to 2.7-liters (2,687cc), and the car was put on a strict diet, dropping 100kg (220 pounds) from the overall weight. Porsche engineers stiffened the bodyshell, adding larger anti-roll bars, stiff Bilstein struts, reinforced trailing arms, and disc brakes nicked from the 917 parts bin. Power increased to 210 horsepower, and while the specific output (bhp per Liter) did not improve, overall flexibility was far superior to the 2.4 S. The Carrera's weight loss program involved the use of lightweight fiberglass body panels, gutting of excess sound deadening, fitting light alloy 6J x 15 front and 7J x 15 rear wheels, and fitting just enough equipment to make the car road legal and somewhat civil. A revised front apron directed air around the nose, while the now iconic "ducktail" rear spoiler kept the back end firmly planted at speed.

Three variants, Sport, Touring, or Racing, were offered. The Touring (option code M472) utilized steel bumpers and 911 S-style interior trim. The Sport (M471) did away with such frivolities as the clock, glovebox door, rear seats, door pockets, opening quarter windows, and sound deadening. Featherweight Recaro shells replaced the S-style front seats, and numerous other small details added up to significant gains on the racetrack. Customers clamored for a chance to own the finely honed Carrera RS, and Porsche had no trouble shifting the minimum 500 examples needed for homologation. In fact, Porsche set out with the intention of building just 500 units, but the customer order book was complete before the end of 1972. A second series of 500 were laid down, these being sold by the spring of 1973, so a third series was offered. Ultimately, a total of 1,580 cars were built of all variations, including 1,308 of the "M472" Touring version.


THE CAR OFFERED

This 911 Carrera RS 2.7, chassis "0388", an early-January 1973 build, is one of the important first series cars. It was sold new in Paris as a basic "no extras" Touring model. Thought to be one of only four cars sold into France in Sepia Brown, accounts of its history suggest it led a very busy life as a daily driver in its early years. In early 1986, 0388 was acquired by Philippe Aunay, President of Porsche Club France from 1980 until 2004. Mr Aunay was a high-profile personality in the French Porsche community, establishing the Rouen Porsche Centre and IMSA race team in the 1990s, while simultaneously amassing an impressive collection of homologation-spec 911s. He claimed that the well-loved RS had amassed some 223,000 kilometers when he acquired it, as told in a 1992 article in Flat 6 magazine celebrating 20 years of the RS.

As an enthusiast of early-RS models, Mr. Aunay entrusted the car to legendary Porsche mechanic, Louis Meznarie, for a total refurbishment. This included a comprehensive color change to Gulf Orange—none had been sold into France in that shade—plus a general simplification back to the more basic M471 Sport trim, while retaining the car's special Recaro sport seat option. The mechanical overhaul included a factory-exchange transaxle, and a total engine rebuild onto a new—and still unnumbered—magnesium crankcase.

Philippe Aunay sadly passed away in 2004 and his collection went into storage. A 2015 photo shows this car on a parquet floor and beside a radiator in an indoor storage facility. The cars remained there until the death of his wife in 2016, when the collection was offered to Autofarm, the renowned UK-based independent Porsche specialist. After discussions between Josh Sadler, co-founder of the workshop, and Mr. Aunay's son, Olivier (who tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 2018) a deal was finally struck, with this 2.7 RS Touring heading back to the Bicester workshop in October 2016.

Upon arriving at Autofarm, the odometer read 55,000 kilometers—though this is known to hide large parts of the car's actual mileage, due to its five-digit display. In 2021, some 35 years after Menzarie rebuilt the engine and with the odometer showing 71,000 kilometers, the RS had begun to leak oil. Sadler and his team at Autofarm embarked on the next overhaul, enabling him to add necessary engineering upgrades developed over the decades to ensure the car remained reliable and usable. The nominal degree of wear supported the suggestion that the engine had only covered approximately 48,000 kilometers since 1986. As Mr. Sadler approached 80 years old, he sold his cherished RS in 2022.

Chassis 0388 made its way over to US in 2022 where it arrived at GasWerks Garage in Paramus, NJ. GasWerks Garage performed extensive work to restore and enhance its performance and aesthetics. The vehicle underwent a full engine-out service, which included valve adjustments and meticulous MFI tuning. A transmission-out service was carried out, during which a few minor oil leaks were identified and repaired. The clutch and flywheel were replaced, all suspension bushings were renewed, and the vehicle's ride height was lowered for performance driving with the suspension tuned accordingly. A performance stainless exhaust was installed to complement the enhanced engine dynamics.

Additionally, the wheels were refinished to RS specifications, and period-correct Avon tires were installed, further authenticating its vintage appeal. Lightweight RS bumpers were fitted, adding to its sporty profile, yet the original touring specification bumpers and original RS seats are included in the sale for those who might value originality for shows or judging purposes.

This car participated in the RAMSHORN Rally from May 9-14, 2023, and the GTTSR Adirondacks rally from June 18-22, 2023, running flawlessly in both events. This Porsche 911 Carrera RS is turn-key, ready for any event, whether it be rallying or showing, and continues to be a testament to the enduring legacy and performance of the RS marque.

Chassis 0388 remains a welcome antithesis to the common, clinical "garage queen" syndrome that sometimes affects collectible Porsches. Throughout its life, it has been enjoyed to the fullest by passionate enthusiasts and has earned a magnificent character over the years, wearing its heart on its sleeve.