Rare 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera sold at Sotheby’s

Schenelle Dsouza

RM Sotheby’s auctioned an ultra-rare 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight. The auction took place on May 14, in Monaco, where the car was sold for a hefty 1,287,500 Euros.  

A rare production  

The RS 2.7 model began the legacy of the Carrera models, with the RS designation, which stands for “Rennsport” or “motor racing” in German.  The model was a result of Porsche’s effort to create a 911 for FIA Group 4 competition in the early 1970s. While the requirement was pegged at 500 examples, Porsche ended up producing 1,580 units of the 911 RS 2.7 in 1973 due to the growing demand.  

The RS 2.7 model is the 1973 “M471” Carrera Lightweight conversion, which is only one of 200 models manufactured that year, making it a rare find. It blurred the lines between a road car and a race car, a legacy that serves the 911 Carrera to this day.  

Specifications  

The RS 2.7 comes equipped with a 2.7-litre flat-six engine, Bosch mechanical fuel injection and low friction Nikasil cylinders. This gives the engine 210hp and 273Nm of torque. A top speed of 239 kph takes the car from 0-60mph in less than 6 seconds. In addition, a stiffer suspension, larger brakes and larger wheels contribute to the improved chassis dynamics. 

To further elevate the RS 2.7’s performance, Porsche offered the M471 “Lightweight” or “Lightweight Sport” conversion. Thinner steel for the body panels, thinner glass for the windows, lighter fibreglass bumpers, and racing seats help reduce the car’s weight considerably. Adding to the “lightweight” aspect, certain features like the sound insulation, rear seats, sun visors, radio, dashboard clock, and other interior fittings were removed. The Porsche crest badge on the bonnet and bumper trim mouldings were also replaced with lighter decals. A less extreme “M472” Touring conversion offered the lightweight body but retained interior creature comforts. 

The exterior features wider wings, a redesigned front bumper, and a distinctive “ducktail”—the first factory spoiler ever attached to the sloping rear end of a 911. 

Sole ownership 

The current and sole owner of the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight claims to have read contemporary road tests when the model was new, and was struck by its instant appeal. Initially he struggled to source the car domestically in Italy and so he travelled all the way to Germany for it. The dealership Auto-Dunker GmbH, based in Aschaffenburg near Frankfurt, was able to oblige and so the car offered for sale here was ordered in April 1973.

After acquiring it, the car underwent a few changes like the black finish on the exterior mirror and the “M472” lock on the rear engine lid.  

An additional document from the dealer suggests that the original order also included “M489” for seatbelts, “M462” for Carrera livery applied on the side of the car, and “M220” for a desirable limited-slip differential. The finished 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight left the factory as it is today in Light Yellow over a black interior. The original German pflegepass or service book first dated July 12, 1973 was also included in the sale, along with the original dealer invoice and sales documents. Additionally, an air compressor, a spare wheel and tyre, tools, and an extra set of wheels were also present with the car. 

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