The 1973 Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS Is Still The Best There Ever Was

The beginnings of the Carrera 2.7 RS

The early 1970s saw Porsche shift gears in their racing pursuits. They bid farewell to their dominance in prototype racing and kicked off a fresh GT racing program that centered around the unbeatable 911. Porsche had been racing prototypes with great success since the early 1960s, but in 1972, the company switched to the production-based GT racing scene.

“The 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was intended as a homologation special. It was to be a very light, fast sports car,”

Peter Falk- Porsche

The goal was to compete in Group 4 (Special Gran Turismo) in European GT racing. Porsche had already established a presence in the production GT ranks, and now it was time to build a car that would enable them to dominate the track. The 2.7 was the first 911 to wear the Carrera moniker, from the famed “Carrera Panamerica" racing.

Behold The “Ducktail”

One of the most iconic aspects of the Carrera RS is its ducktail spoiler, designed by engineers Hermann Burst and Tilman Brodbeck and stylist Rolf Wiener. The spoiler was designed to minimize lift on both axles and generate downforce without taking too much off the top end.

The 2.7-liter engine in the Carrera 2.7 RS was the result of Porsche's experience gained through its 917 racing program. It delivered 210 bhp, elevating the 911 into the 2500-3000 cc class. The widened wheel arches (thanks to the 42mm wider body) allowed more rubber to come in contact with the road. Porsche settled with Fuchs forged 6 J × 15 wheels with 185/70 VR-15 tires at the front, and 7 J × 15 with 215/60 VR-15 tires at the rear.

How Fast was Carrera 2.7 RS?

The homologation requirements meant that the engine had to be under 3L. The 2.7 had a 2700cc air-cooled flat 6 producing 210 hp at 6,300 rpm and developed 188 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm. 

Honda Civics are more powerful these days but combine 210 hp with a featherlight chassis weighing just 2116 pounds and you have got a winner on your hands, still if you want the absolute peak of what Carrera RS could have been check out the Crazy 500 hp Singer Porsches.

The Carrera RS was the first car to break into the sub 6 second 0-60 barrier needing just 5.8 seconds and had a top speed of 152 mph.

Lichtness, Lichtness, Lichtness

Which FYI means “lightness” in a very casual German is an irrefutable reason for the 911 Carrera 2.7 Rs' success at both streets and rallies around the world. Porsche offered two packages with the 2.7 the first was the sport package AKA M471, Which featured extensive weight saving like the deletion of carpets, armrests, leather, and hooks, thinner body panels and bumpers, and had lightweight seats. 

The other was M472 or touring package which added creature comforts but added 252 pounds to the Sport's 2116 pounds weight. Originally, only 500 were to be made but after witnessing a relentless demand Porsche finally made 1580 units of the 2.7 Carrera RS'. Today a 1972 Carrera RS can easily fetch anywhere from $850,000 to a million depending on the spec and condition.

Image Source- Porsche Newsroom