Lot 207: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring Coup�

�Nothing that is desirable comes easily or cheaply and the Carrera RS is no exception, but without question it is one of the great cars of the 1970s; the personification of GT motoring and race breeding.� - Motor Sport magazine, February 1973.
Porsche revived the Carrera name for its top-of-the-range 911 in 1972/3. Designated Carrera RS (Rennsport), the newcomer was intended as a limited edition �homologation special� to enable the factory to enter Group 4 competition in the Special GT class, with a minimum build requirement of 500. However, the demand for this fabulous car proved so great that the production run was later extended by another 1,300-or-so units, qualifying the RS to compete also in Group 3, which it would dominate. Based on a lightened 911S platform, the Carrera RS featured revised suspension and wider rear wheels (beneath flared wheelarches) for improved handling, while the 2.7-litre, fuel-injected, air-cooled, six-cylinder engine�s 210bhp boosted top speed to around 150mph. Not merely styling gimmicks, the Carrera�s trademark �duck�s tail� spoiler and front air dam made a vital contribution to high-speed stability and represent Porsche�s first serious experimentation with aerodynamic devices on a production car. Above all it was the reduction of weight that transformed performance. Lighter body materials and ruthless pruning of non-essentials brought the weight of the Carrera RS down to below 900kg, enabling it to devastate the competition on the racetracks of Europe and the USA.
Private customers wishing to purchase a Carrera RS could choose between two specifications. The Lightweight was intended for competition, whereas those who valued comfort could specify the Touring package (order number �472�) which cost an extra DM 2,500 (�430) and offered the luxury of the 911S�s trimmed and upholstered interior.
The car offered here, chassis number �9113601021� is a genuine RS Carrera Touring as listed on page 234 of the model�s �bible�: �Carrera RS� written and published by Gruber and Konradsheim. All numbers and specifications conform to the original factory build, including heated rear window, sports seats, outside mirror, and electric windows and sunroof, although the original Blaupunkt radio has been replaced by a modern version. This car was first registered by Glen Henderson Motors in Ayr, Scotland on 14th May 1973 and originally owned by one Edwin Butterworth. One of only three right-hand drive examples finished in Porsche Dalmatian Blue (referred to as Sea Blue in the UK market) this car was ordered without the model�s distinctive �Carrera� script decals and remains the same today. (These can, of course, be added if the new owner so desires). In 1986 the car was treated to a �last nut and bolt� rebuild (including engine, gearbox, bodywork and interior) at Porsche specialists Autofarm by Neil Bainbridge, who has continued to maintain it on a �regardless of cost� basis ever since. In 1985 the (believed genuine) recorded mileage was 86,967, while in the 22 years since a further 36,000 miles have been covered.
The present owner is a well-known and fastidious collector, who has owned the car for over 10 years. �OSD 260L� has been exhibited at numerous Porsche events and participated in �mild� forms of competition, including the Benson and Hedges Classic Rally, Knockhill Circuit sprint, Pomeroy Trophy, Rallye du Paris and Rallye du Maroc. �OSD 260L� comes with an extensive history file including details of all owners, restoration invoices, (copy) old-style logbooks, full Motor Sports Association FIA papers and a quantity of expired MoTs. The vehicle is taxed for the road and possesses a current Swansea V5 registration document, while a set of original narrow-rim Fuchs alloy wheels, unused since refurbishment, is available from the vendor by private treaty.