1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS Touring

“At 4,500rpm a heartwarming deep growl begins and one feels an almost unbelievable further increase in the pressure of the seat on one’s back, which is vastly exhilarating, continuing as it does to around 7,000rpm…” British magazine Autocar presses the new 2.7 RS’s pedal to the metal.

The testers summed the car up as: “Sensational, even by Porsche standards.”

With just six owners from new and benefitting from a recent bare-metal respray, this highly original 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 was first delivered to Italy and led most of its life there. A ‘no stories’ example of an iconic model in a superb colour combination, ‘0644’ is totally ‘on the button’ and ready for new adventures. The Stelvio Pass awaits...

A definitive, era-defining car

The Stuttgart company’s reason for building the Carrera RS 2.7 was simple: homologation for GT racing. From initial concerns that the car wouldn’t sell (many were allocated to senior management as company cars…) demand outstripped supply to the extent that by July 1973 when production ceased a total of 1,580 had been made- for more than 500 the rules required. 

The word ‘Carrera’ has a magic to it for Porsche enthusiasts. It was always the mark of a high-performance Porsche, from the exotic, four-cam production 356s, to the racing cars of the 1960s.

With its fat rear arches – to accommodate wider 7in Fuchs alloys – a wind tunnel-tested rear spoiler and bold ‘Carrera’ motif, the Carrera RS instantly stood apart from lesser species of 911. And under that famous Bürzel (‘ducktail’) sat a special 911 engine with Nikasil-lined cylinders allowing it to be bored it out 2,687cc. Coupled with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, power was a solid 210bhp and the gain in torque was such that at just 2,500rpm the 2.7 matched the old 2.4 motor’s output at 4,000rpm.

Two regular versions were offered: M471 Lightweight and M472 Touring. Whichever was ordered, its performance was electrifying: the Touring sprinted to 60mph in 6.3 seconds and would nudge 150mph flat-out. The full-on Lightweight was only fractions faster.

With the 300 SL ‘Gullwing’, E-type and R-Type Continental, the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is a definitive, era-defining car. It is also widely considered by the world’s most experienced drivers to be one of the most exhilarating ever to drive. 

This Motor Car

Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 ‘0644’ was one of the earlier cars in the production run. It was delivered on 1 February 1973 to an official Porsche dealer in Italy with a specification as follows:

• Touring package (M472)

• Blutorange (‘Tangerine’ ref 2323) with black Pepita cloth and artificial leather

• Recaro sport seats left and right (409)

• Rear window heater (102)

The car was sold to its first owner, Marcello Bovani of Pescara, on 4 May 1973 for 7,003,000 lire.  Bovani registered it ‘PE 110477’. In July 1975 the car was stolen but quickly recovered and returned to Bovani who kept it until May 1976 when he sold it to Armando Caselli from Bologna. In Caselli’s tenure it bore the mark ‘BO 660796’. From Caselli it passed to its third owner on 22 April 1988, Alessandra Recanello who lived in Padova but retained the Bologna plate.

Two years later on 12 July 1990, Giorgio Ruzza, owner of Porsche-approved bodyshop Carrozzeria Ruzza, bought the car. Appreciating a fine car delivered to an interesting specification, he commissioned his skilled craftsmen to carry out a sympathetic restoration whilst keeping the originality of the car intact. At this time, it was registered locally, ‘PD A20000’.

The metal restoration was comprehensive and photographically documented at every stage. All mechanical work was completed to similarly high standards.

Ruzza owned the car he’d lavished so much time and money on until 23 January 2014 when it was bought by another Padova resident, Roberto Miatto, keeping the registration ‘PD A20000’. A Porsche Heritage Certificate of authenticity was issued on 3 June 2014 confirming specification and numbers.

In December 2015 a prominent German collector – owner number six from new – bought the car and exported it from Italy.

In a market that craves originality and interesting specification this car stands out. Matching numbers, presented in one of the most popular colour combinations, with desirable Recaro seats, highly original and with a documented history from new, for those waiting for ‘the right 2.7 RS’, your car has arrived.