Peter Kane
'72 911S Targa
Message Board Co-Moderator - Early 911S Registry #100
July 2022 - Previous post:Originally Posted by 72targa
https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...=1#post1129431
Issimi , Redwood City, CA
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS Lightweight
VIN: 9113600465
Engine: 6630479
Trans: -
Color: Gulf Orange/Black
Mileage: 56,836 km (indicated)
Price: €1,250,000/~$1,418,700 obo
Light Weight RS Gulf Orange 1.jpg
Doug Dill
1973 911E Coupe
PCA #1987109761
Early 911S Registry #548
November 2013 - Last post to mention #1235
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RM|Sotheby's The White Collection, Houston, Texas, 1-2 December 2023
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS Touring
VIN: 9113601235
Engine: 6631213
Trans: 7831199
Color: Grand Prix White (blue trim)/Black Leather
Mileage: 40,222 km (indicated)
Auction Estimate: US$900,000 - $1,200,000
Sold for: TBD
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 1-1.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 2-1.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 6.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 8.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 9.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 10.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 12.jpg
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS 1235 - GP White - Blue Trim 11.jpg
Auction Description:
- An authentic and wonderfully preserved Carrera RS 2.7 Touring retaining its numbers-matching 911/83 engine and gearbox; dashboard displays correct production number
- Presented in its original factory exterior finish of Grand Prix White with blue Carrera lettering over its original Black leatherette interior
- Sold new to Italy via Autocentri Balduina of Rome and maintained under single ownership for nearly 20 years
- Accompanied by a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, copy of its Fahrzeug-Auftrag order form, Italian estratto, service invoices, original Italian-language owner’s manual, and an uninstalled period-correct Becker Mexico cassette radio unit
- An appealing, highly original example of an essential model for any serious 911 collection
Stunningly well-preserved, this authentic Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 Touring was completed in the Spring of 1973 for delivery to Italy, finished just as it is presented today in Grand Prix White with blue Carrera lettering over a Black leatherette interior. Importantly, a copy of the car’s original Mi>Fahrzeug-Auftrag (order form) denotes it as having been factory-equipped with the M472 Comfort, or Touring, option code. Concerned the Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight may be too raw for most buyers, Porsche’s marketing department conceived the Touring edition, which utilized the same performance features and lightweight body but with more driver comforts including carpets, rear seats, and door cards.
Following its completion in Stuttgart, this Carrera RS 2.7 Touring made its way south to the Italian countryside, where it would remain for the better part of the next 20 years. The car’s first owner was Alberto Doni, a resident of Alatri who purchased it in May 1973 via the still-incorporated dealership Autocentri Balduina of Rome. One can only imagine the smile on Doni’s face as he wound his new Carrera RS from the dealership, nestled in the southern suburbs of Rome, through the foothills of the Lepini Mountains on his way home to Alatri.
The car’s original service libretto shows Doni had the car serviced on 6 June 1973 with over 1,100 kilometers already on the odometer, a start to the careful ownership Doni would continue throughout the next two decades. An accompanying estratto holds numerous entries showing Doni kept regular registration of his prized Carrera, while a copy of his correspondence with Porsche in 1988 shows him as keenly aware of the car’s significance.
In 2000, this 911 was imported to the United States by Stephen Childs of Placerville, California. Childs toured and displayed the car during his 12 years of ownership, including use as a support vehicle at Laguna Seca Raceway, displays at the Porsche Parade Concours d’Elegance, and various PCA meets. After being acquired by the White Collection in 2012, the car was treated to an extensive service by the marque gurus at Rennsport in Sealy, Texas. Totaling nearly $12,000, work included a full rebuild of the car’s numbers-matching engine as well as resealing the numbers-matching transmission, suspension service, and various other duties to ensure the car was fully sorted. While in the collection, the car has been started and run to operating temperature monthly.
In addition to its numbers-matching engine and gearbox, a close inspection of the under-dash area reveals the correct Porsche production number; moreover, this 911 retains its original factory-applied coat of Grand Prix White exterior paint (save for the repainted front splitter, which is often worn over the course of routine driving) and its original Black leatherette interior. Further emphasizing its highly original presentation, it is accompanied by its original, Italian-language owner’s manual.
In the context of Porsche history, it is almost impossible to overstate the importance of the 1973 911 Carrera 2.7 RS; it is a car which heralded the 911’s transition from plucky class-winner to Endurance Classic victor, while simultaneously offering genuine 150-mph performance from a Porsche for the first time. Consequently, the availability of such a finely preserved example, presented in its original factory colors and retaining its numbers-matching engine and gearbox—is an extremely rare opportunity indeed, and one surely worthy of consideration by any committed Porsche or sports car enthusiast.
Last edited by DOUGS73E; 10-02-2023 at 03:17 PM.
Doug Dill
1973 911E Coupe
PCA #1987109761
Early 911S Registry #548
RM|Sotheby's The White Collection, Houston, Texas, 1-2 December 2023
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS Lightweight
VIN: 9113601406
Engine: 6631376
Trans: 7831369
Color: Grand Prix White (red trim)/Black Leatherette
Mileage: 42,851 km (indicated)
Auction Estimate: US$1,750,000 - $2,000,000
Sold for: TBD
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RS Lightweight 1406 - GP White - Red Trim 1.jpg
Auction Description:
- One of 200 Carrera RS 2.7 examples built for 1973 in the factory “Lightweight” configuration; among the most desirable air-cooled 911s ever produced
- Rare US-delivery car originally specified with the coveted lightweight Sport (M471) package, left and right headrests, heated rear windscreen, and three-point safety belts
- Retains numbers-matching chassis, engine, and gearbox; exhibits correct Porsche production number
- Presented in its factory-correct colors of Grand Prix White (908) with red lettering over a Black leatherette interior
- Documented with a copy of original Porsche vehicle order form, original sales invoice, and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, as well as a selection of period and modern invoices
- Known history from new, including ownership by Otis Chandler
Regarded as one of the greatest air-cooled Porsches—and among the finest all-around sports cars—ever constructed, the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 rightly sits at the center of many world-class collections. Yet the Carrera RS 2.7 presented here offers even more to the discerning enthusiast: It is one of only 200 examples of the hallowed model built in the factory Lightweight specification. Further enhancing its desirability, is an extremely rare United States-delivery car with a known history from new. Equipped with its numbers-matching Type 911/83 magnesium-crankcase engine and numbers-matching five-speed gearbox, and also exhibiting the correct under-dash Porsche production number, it is finished in its factory-correct colors.
As noted by the copy of its original Porsche Fahrzeug-Auftrag (vehicle order form) on file dated 29 May 1973, this chassis was specified in Grand Prix White (908) with red exterior lettering over a Black leatherette interior. Factory options include a tinted/heated rear window, three-point seat belts, and left and right headsets; of course, the order form also notes the coveted lightweight Sport package (M471), representing a suite of features and deletions that, taken together, shaved over 200 pounds off the comparable Touring model in the pursuit of uncompromised performance.
According to the original sales invoice on file from Holbert’s Porsche Audi of Warrington, Pennsylvania, the car was sold new to Halsey Frederick on 16 March 1974. Interestingly, along with the $15,000 cash price for the new Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight, the invoice notes an immediate repaint from its factory Grand Prix White to the Porsche color Albert Blue, bringing the total cost to $15,500. Although Mr. Frederick was noted as a resident of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, he apparently kept the car in New Hampshire; a 1974 letter on file details minor service work done to the car, and requests additional sealed beam headlights to help pass the Granite State’s vehicle inspection process.
Mr. Frederick scrupulously cared for this rare Porsche for nearly 25 years, with invoices on file detailing the attention he lavished on the car. In addition to routine service and maintenance items, in 1975 he also had the vehicle rust-proofed and custom-ordered Recaro seats to replace the rather spartan Lightweight-specification factory units. When he parted ways with the Porsche in the late 1990s, it was noted as displaying fewer than 32,000 miles.
The second owner of this 911 was none other than illustrious collector Otis Chandler, who soon began the process of returning the car to its as-delivered appearance. As indicated by invoices and photos on file, the Albert Blue paint was removed from the car’s well-preserved bodywork, and its Grand Prix White (with red lettering) exterior appearance was restored. Further, its custom Recaro seats were replaced with correct Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight buckets. Chandler sold the restored car on in October 2001, and it remained in the collection of its third owner for a decade.
In 2011, the 911 was acquired by the White Collection, and its previous restoration benefitted from further fine-tuning, including the restoration and fitment of proper staggered, color-matched Fuchs wheels, the fitment of a correct heat exchanger, and the replacement of perishable rubber components and hardware with factory-correct components. While in the collection, the car has been started monthly and run to operating temperature.
Appearing now as it left the factory, and retaining its numbers-matching Type 911/83 engine and gearbox, this 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 Lightweight is an authentic and extremely rare, United States-delivery example of the sports car against which all others are judged.
Doug Dill
1973 911E Coupe
PCA #1987109761
Early 911S Registry #548
While it appears to be a nice relatively unmolested example from the write up by the time this particular example was made it probably didn’t have the lightweight body. This extract from internal memo is important information about how Porsche changed the RS model after homologation was achieved to eliminate the use of thinner 0.8 steel and revert to regular 0.88 steel also reverted to heavier steel front crossmember rather than the unique to early RS forged alloy one. This is an extract of an internal memo about a change in specification and procedure for the 911.744 shies not all Carrera RS examples were born equal:
IMG_7339.jpg
While this change of RS specification and build procedure once homologation was achieved might not matter to some buyers it might to others — if so so might it be worth checking the actual car if it is important that it has the lightweight body that is being alluded to? This change was probably phased in so requires careful investigation if it is a factor. Is the fahzeug auftrag on file a single sheet listing options and conversion order or a fahzeug-auftrag for a base Carrera RS and conversion order showing the subsequent M472 conversion and M-option being added separately? My understanding is cars built with lighter weight body were built and independently weighed to get certification they met the 900kg homologation weight then converted whereas most later ones were built a much more “productionized” process not the special RS procedures referred to and were not afaik weighed or recorded as proof for the FiA.
I’m not knocking what appears to be a lovely well preserved example of a third series 911.744 Carrera RS just having alluded to lighter body in the write up my point is does this particular example have the lighter weight parts, or not? From my reading despite referring to the copy doesn’t say this example actually has the lightweight body!
IMG_7340.jpg
Does presence of the heavier rippled “shutz” on rear chassis suggests it is example built after the internal memo to change the spec and build procedures used for the circa 1000 actual homologation examples took effect? On the other hand might this particular example have some other features such as different suspension geometry or different material engine case that some buyers might like? Perhaps more focus in the actual car and less references to generalisations about the model-type would help bring clarity to what us in offer — for example is it leatherette seating?
Condition is a factor in a 50 year old car purchase of course and I hope this car does well but despite the many words written about the 73 RS model there is sometimes “misunderstanding” about what was originally a homologation special and how the output should be segmented across the 73 model year.
Is it beyond writers of listings to use the factory correct designation: M471 Sport or M472 Touring as the term lightweight certainly has the potential to confuse buyers. As I’ve posted previously this is how the factory referred to the distinction in original sales documents —it is much clearer especially as they might be struggling to articulate the RS model nuances:
IMG_7224.jpg
Steve
Last edited by 911MRP; 10-03-2023 at 01:23 AM.
I think you are right about the panels and changeover although I have heard (with no actual personal evidence whatsoever) that some RS’s around the changeover ended up with a mixture of ‘thin’ and ‘thick’ panels as the stocks were used up rather than a straight cut off/change at a particular chassis number. Maybe you have heard this too?
I’m sure it would, therefore, be worth checking every panel. Of course this investigation can be muddied even further if any restoration work has taken place over the years as we all know replacement panels are not the same as the original panels. The words ‘original’, ‘unmolested’, ‘just as it came out of the factory’, ‘untouched’, ‘never restored’, all have different meanings to different folk.
Regards
Mike
RS#1551(sold)
67S
73E (home after 25 years) and sold again
Early S reg. #681
A late M471 Sport
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/w...weight/1397572
I wonder how many of the lighter-weight RS features it has at this late stage in the cycle — any thinner panel, cross member etc etc?
Being a late example it features steel rear quarter bumpers like M472 Touring (not glass-fibre one piece of early Sport), no rubber strip on bumpers or overriders however . The quarter windows of Sport are no longer fixed but by this stage reverted to the series regular opening vents just like other contemporary 911. Series crest now used not self adhesive decal at front. Also the heavier dimpled shutz on rear chassis rails that was used in a number of other places eg underside front lid and sides of luggage area whereas the lighter-weight earlier examples both Sports and Touring all had thin regular paint finish for weight saving reasons . Typical things foe what my friend calls jokingly call a late “heavy lightweight”. Expect it would have the steel front crossmember of the series production cars no longe used the lighter forged alloy cross never found in earlier Sport and Touring used for homologation.
Details indicative of how Porsche had by policy stopped bothering many of the special features of the early RS examples used for homologation.
IMG_7339.jpg
It doesn’t say in auction write-up but it might have the revised suspension at rear and different engine case materials — these changes were found on some later RS.
Haven’t seen it in the metal but from the write-up and photos it seems a nice car albeit different to the early RS examples that built before homologation — both in its specification and in its ordering/build processes.
Last edited by 911MRP; 10-04-2023 at 07:46 AM.
'It doesn’t say in auction write-up but it might have the revised suspension at rear and different engine case materials — these changes were found on some later RS'
1406 should have the the shorter trailing arms and revised rear brake lines. Vin 1399-1407 and 1409 up (plus a bunch before 1399..)
Cees
September 2015 - previous posts mentioning 0739.
For the record:
1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Touring – RHD
VIN: 9113600739
1973 Porsche RHD 2.7L 911 Carrera RS Touring - Oxford Blue - Export 56.jpg
Doug Dill
1973 911E Coupe
PCA #1987109761
Early 911S Registry #548
That’s a very old “Sold” advert or rather a dealer that likes to keep up appearances. It dates back at least ten years from when the previous owner bought the car from them and had it restored. I bought #739 just under three years ago and am enjoying it fully. Three European road trips in it so far.
Last year at Le Mans with the RS Club de France celebrating the 50th
50ans2.7rs-Matthieu-BOURGEOIS-7225.jpg
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