1973 RS or 1974 RS?

[rower]

Which would you prefer?

The 73RS is of course legendary and looks much better to me with the ducktail and the long hood and bumpers...

...but the 74RS is more powerful and much improved (and was much more expensive ) and rarer.

Iconic and beautiful or rarer and better performance?

Which would you rather have in your garage?

[popowitz]

For me the 73RS would be my preference because it’s iconic but if I were looking for rarity I would find a ‘76 RS. The G body with the 911/83 MFI would be my choice.

[Richy]

No question , the 3.0 74 RS . There is really no comparison in performance , the '74 is special . I think the '74's are a little bit under the radar , not many people know how nice they are . The only negative is finding the correct engine pieces .

[911MRP]

I have arranged to meet Nick Faure soon and shall ask him as he had both provided to him by Porsche cars great Britain /AFN the UK importer when these models were brand new.

I shall report back about the meeting ( we have a fun agenda planned) and his view on the question assuming I get an answer as he has deep and hihhly relevant experience

Drawing of Nick in 74 RS by Nick.



He is a talented artist and having had him demonstrate the famous hands off technique in my own 73 RS back in the early nineties I'll believe his reply.

I'm partial to 73 obviously but a proper 74 is special.

Steve

[RSTarga]

The 74 was actually a bit slower at top end because of the flares and wider tires, but much easier to drive for the same reasons. I've always thought the 3.0 had even better response than the 2.7 too.

[tcsracing1]

cant go wrong with a long hood RS.

not like you are driving them in anger nowadays

[mac73s]

Just say no to the dreadful 15 year run of the G body bumpers...I'd give HP in favor of driving a nice clean long-hood any day.

[911MRP]

Brand new first series 73 M472 lifting front 6J15 CN 36 in wet conditions beginning of calendar 1973. Hirschmann electric aerial deployed and Radiomobile 8 track radio on. 73 magazine roadtester at wheel




Same car below was driven to the track contributing to the very dominant STP prodsport national championship win ...simply driven to the circuits and back with the only mods being safety cage, safety cutouts and tyre adjustments ...still with radio and aerial during race . Nick Faure at wheel of same car at early round of dominating that series.



Innovations such as first road car with different front rear rims/tyres, rear ducktail, weight saving thinner steel panels and so forth ...all part of a purposeful homologation special available
in reasonable volumes to buyers other than a few out and out racers. 911744 was in retrospect a very well judged rennsport package available direct from the factory that stands test of time. A model that those with only a passing interest now recognise as a defining point of excellence on the overall 911 history.

As such 73 RS makes a strong case as being the apogee of sensible classic all rounder package even across all marques and models -- not just 73/74 sporting 911. A usable reliable road tourer and classic (motorsport) event tool if so minded - performance from 73 thoughtfully evolving proven 72S 911 basis to be still relevant in today's very different road conditions. Enough sporting touches to show it is a special edition without becoming too "wannabe racer lost on way to track" compared to all the later pumped up arches and wide wheels chasing some gains.74 RS is a very special car of course.

But I'm very biased and that's why my sister car is only car of many nice motorcars I've kept for now over quarter of a century!

Steve

[dr914]

no question 73

[RSTarga]

I was looking for Paul Frere's write up and found this:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/1973...carrera-rs-30/