|
LOT 111 Bahia Red
Just what exactly makes the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 one of the all time great cars and the subject of countless eulogies by motoring journalists? It can’t be the looks alone – granted, the front spoiler, Carrera graphics on the sills painted to match the Fuchs rims and signature ducktail look great, but to the layman it’s hard to tell one early 911 apart from another. It’s certainly not about extra equipment either; true to the Porsche philosophy of less is more, the RS was a stripped out, lightweight homologation special that had no radio, sun visor or armrests. Even the internal door handles were ditched to save weight. In fact, reducing mass became something of an obsession with Zuffenhausen’s engineers, so the bonnet, roof and guards panels were made of thinner gauge steel on the earliest cars. Even the engine specifications don’t sound all that spectacular, certainly not when compared to some of the wilder claims by the Italians; 210 bhp and 188 lbs/ft of torque hardly constituted the most powerful sports car on the road in 1973. What the Carrera RS 2.7 does do, and very well, is drive. Hard. Thanks to Bosch K-Jetronic injection, the air-cooled flat six revs all the way to a 7,300 rpm redline and the 5 speed gearbox is a delight to use. Top speed was 152 mph flat out and 0-60 mph dispatched in 5.5 seconds. These figures, still impressive today, were matched by very few cars back in the day. And it handled brilliantly, something Porsche demonstrated by turning the RS into the RSR and dominating Group 4. Porsche ultimately built 1,541 cars in total (of which 116 were M472 cars specified with right-hand drive), and there are never enough to satisfy demand from collectors around the world, keeping prices buoyant. Here we have one of the first batch of 500 RS 2.7s, built to M472 (Touring) specification and still painted in the original Bahia Red colour scheme. Being an early car, it has the alloy rear deck lid, gearbox oil pump and plastic horn grille. With black Carrera script and black sport Recaros, the car looks sensational and is fantastic condition, without doubt one of the best 2.7s available. Optioned with LSD, the car still has the original radio fitted and comes with the factory tool kit jack and air pump. The interior is immaculate, with unmarked dash, trim, headlining and upholstery. The Porsche was clearly cherished by the first German owner, who kept it until 1990 when the clock was showing 78,000 kms, and in the past 19 years has covered a further 26,000 kms. The Porsche comes with a set of tools and replacement books. Sold without registration.
For further enquiries please contact either |
