1973 Porsche 911 RS (RennSport)

Country of Manufacture: Germany    Vin #: 9113600662
Model Type: 2 Door Coupe
Body Designer: Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche
Engine: 2.7 liter (2687cc) developed from the 2.4 liter “S” engine but with low friction Nikasil coated aluminum cylinders-unique at the time to the RS and developed from the 917 racing program. Bosch mechanical fuel injection.
Horsepower: 210 bhp at 6300 rpm
Torque: 255 lb at 5100 rpm
Transmission: Porsche Type 915/08 H pattern 5-Sp. unique to RS with oil pump recessed into trans cover.
Suspension:
FRONT- MacPherson struts with telescopic Bilstein dampers and torsion bars. For weight reduction and additional strength genuine RS’s should also have a forged aluminum front axle sub-frame.
REAR- Trailing arms with telescopic Bilstein dampers and transverse torsion bars with a rear axle reinforcing plate welded to the frame tunnel.
Wheels:
FRONT- Fuchs forged 6”x 15” rims.
REAR- Fuchs forged 7” x 15” rims
Brakes:
FRONT- 282mm discs with aluminum calipers.
REAR- 290mm discs with cast iron calipers.
Top Speed: 152 mph (0-62 mph (100kph) =5.8 secs)

History: The world premiere for the 911 RS was at the Paris Auto Show in October 1972. The 911 RS is a high performance derivative of the series production 911. Apart from superficial differences such as the large side mounted Carrera script decals, RS’s can be identified by their lower ground clearance, bigger front apron, unique “ducktail” rear deck lid spoiler, and most significantly, by their rear deck lid badging indicating an increased engine capacity from the stock 2.4 liter to a very potent 2.7 liter unit.

Production: An initial production run 500 was planned but demand was so great that a second batch of 500 was added and finally a third batch of 580 to bring the overall total to 1580. The first 1035 cars built had minimal undercoating and used lightweight steel panels (roof, doors, front trunk lid, trunk floor, door sills, rear seat panel, upper and lower dash board sections, front fenders, rear fenders/side panels). Genuine RS’s also have lighter Bilstein shock absorbers (series production cars have Konis), 15mm front and rear stabilizer bars and a forged aluminum front axle auxiliary sub frame. Gusset plates provided additional support to the wheel bearing case on the control arm and a reinforcing plate was also fitted for further support to the rear axle tube and welded into place in the vicinity of the frame tunnel in the chassis center.

The last 544 cars were built on the same production line as the series production 911 and came with regular steel bodies and full undercoating. RS production should be broken out into 4 sub categories:

RSH: 17 examples-development/homologation model, extreme lightweight with narrow wheels and tires (no fender flares) and no “ducktail” spoiler.

RS Sport (M 471 package): 200 examples (aka “lightweight”model) with fender flares, front and rear fiberglass bumpers, “ducktail” spoiler, thinner lightweight glass (with sealed rear side windows), rubber mats, door panels without pockets and armrests and with simple Fiat 600 strap door pulls, Recaro lightweight sport seats, rear seat delete, and minimal undercoating and sound insulation.

RSL (M 472 package) 1308 examples (aka “Touring” model) with fender flares, steel rear bumper instead of fiberglass, sport seats and regular series production glass (with opening rear side windows), rear seats, insulation, carpets and door panels. Within this group are the both lightweight (up to chassis # 1035) and regular steel bodies (beginning with chassis # 1036 through #1580).

RSR (M 491 package) 55 examples. Full blown race car with engine increased to 2.8 liters (2806.53cc). Multiple changes were also made to the transmission, suspension and brakes (from Porsche 917). The body shell was further widened to accommodate larger wheels and tires (9” & 11” vs. 6” & 7” on RS and RSL models).

This particular car is an early lightweight steel bodied (#662 ) RSL “Touring” model. It was exported from the factory directly to Italy (code JV) and as an export model has the horizontal side impact door beams introduced on production series export models in August 1972. With correct chassis, engine and transmission #’s, the car also features other genuine RS items including a forged aluminum front axle auxiliary sub-frame, 15 mm front and rear stabilizer bars and gusset and reinforcing plates providing additional support to the wheel bearing case and rear axle tube. The rear “ducktail” deck-lid also has the correct aluminum sub-frame. Unlike most RSL “Touring” models this car was built with the lighter, simpler windup door windows. The original plastic fuel tank is installed.

The car is still totally original inside and out. The original paint (color code 131312 Bahia Red) shows considerable patina with minor “rub through” on front fender tops to factory “body in white” base primer. The black interior: dash, seats, door panels, headlining and carpet are in perfect to near perfect condition.

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