Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions, August 20-21, 2016
1973 Porsche 2.7L 911 Carrera RSH
VIN: 9113601429
Engine: 6631397
Trans: 7831393
Color: Signal Orange (1414)/Black Leatherette (11)
Mileage: -
Auction Estimate: US$1,300,000 - $1,500,000
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Auction Description:
- The Purest Racing-Homologation Form of the RS Legend
- One of Just 17 Original RSH Homologation Models
- Incredibly Rare Unconverted Example; Outstanding History
- Documented by Renowned Porsche Authority Jürgen Barth
- Stunning Original Color Scheme and Livery
- 2,687 CC Type 911/83 SOHC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
- Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
- 210 BHP at 6,300 RPM
PROVENANCE
Jacques Diebolt, France (acquired new via Glöckler, Frankfurt, Germany, in July 1973)
Bernard Mordacq, France (acquired in 1974)
Unknown Owner (acquired in 1976)
Philippe Derouen, France (acquired in 1980)
Private Collector, Monaco (acquired in 1982)
Kenny Schachter, London, England (acquired in 2012)
Private Collection, US (acquired in 2014)
Current Owner (acquired from the above)
RACE HISTORY
Tour de France Automobile, September 1973, Diebolt/Vast-Coulon, No. 75 (DNF)
Rallye des Routes du Nord, 1973, Vast-Coulon/Diebolt
Rallye Jeanne d’Arc, 1973, Vast-Coulon/Diebolt
Rallye de Lozère, 1974, Vast-Coulon/Diebolt
24 Heures d’Ypres, July 1975, Mordacq/Bret, No. 12 (1st Overall)
THIS CAR
While fundamental changes in FIA regulations ended the mighty Porsche 917 sports-prototype’s three-year reign over World Sportscar Championship racing after the 1972 season, the 911 filled the void as the basis for Porsche’s new Group 4 GT contender. For 1973, Porsche debuted the Carrera 2.7 RS, with the RS short for Rennsport, translated as racing or motor sports. Porsche engineers aggressively cut weight with thin-gauge steel for the body, thinner glass, and more basic interior appointments. Mechanically, the RS featured a 2.7-liter, air-cooled flat-six engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection delivering 210 bhp. Wider rear wheels and suspension upgrades were included, and extensive wind-tunnel testing resulted in the new Carrera’s distinctive Burzel ducktail-style rear spoiler, which drastically reduced rear-end lift at high speed and remains the model’s visual signature. Ultimately, 1,590 Carreras were built in 1973 and 1974, with the production run divided among the hard-core M471 Lightweight, slightly better-equipped M472 Touring, and 17 all-out RSH cars to achieve FIA approval.
Numbered 9113601429, the RSH is supported by a wealth of documentation, including a copy of the Porsche vehicle order form and a corresponding Certificate of Authenticity. This 911 Carrera 2.7 RSH is a true “basic version” car, one of 17 built and specifically used to be shown to the FIA sporting authorities to homologate the 911 Carrera 2.7 RS for international racing. Notably, the RSH cars were 30 kg lighter than even the M471 Lightweight version, and this RSH is the only one of the 17 to be originally finished in Signal Orange (Code 1414), which was contrasted with Code 11 black leatherette upholstery. Bearing production no. 103 7964, it was built in June 1973, then delivered new to the Glöckler Porsche dealership in Frankfurt.
Accompanying the sale is a detailed report from Le Mans-winning Porsche expert Jürgen Barth, who provides an exceptional history. Mr. Barth’s opinion carries particular gravitas, given that he worked at Porsche AG and was involved in the effort to homologate the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 with the FIA. During that time, he also was responsible for looking after all of the press cars at Stuttgart. Also included is documentation provided by European classic-automobile historian Jean Pierre Cornu, with his findings and confirmation of 1429’s rich history.
First owner Jacques Diebolt of France purchased chassis 1429 in July 1973, with the RSH road-registered as 9091 QG 80. Mr. Diebolt entered 1429 into several races, beginning with the Tour de France Automobile in September 1973, with the car race-numbered 75 and co-driven by J.P. Vast-Coulon, but the pair did not finish. Further entries in French events included the Rallye des Routes du Nord, the Rallye Jeanne d’Arc, and the 1974 Rallye de Lozère. The next owner was Bernard Mordacq, also of France, who acquired 1429 in September 1974 and co-drove it to the overall victory at the 24 Heures d’Ypres in July 1975. The RSH was sold in 1976, and the next known owner, Philippe Derouen, had the car restored during the early 1990s and subsequently sold it to a new owner listed as living in Monaco. Ownership then passed to Kenny Schachter of London, England, in 2012, and most recently from an American collector to the current owner.
According to Mr. Barth’s report, completed after his examination of 1429 in October 2014, he concluded that it is a factory-original Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RSH. According to his report, 1429 retains the original chassis number tag, type plate, engine (no. 6631397), stamped production number (103 7964), and gearbox (no. 7831393).
Presented in its 1973 Tour de France Automobile livery, this 1-of-17 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RSH represents nothing less than the origin and pure essence of Porsche’s legendary 911 Rennsport dynasty.
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