Lot 209: 1972 Porsche 911 3.0-Litre Rally Car

Few sports cars are as versatile as Porsche’s perennial 911, a model that, for the past 40 years, has proved equally capable as a Grand Tourer, circuit racer or rally car. The 911 first appeared in the latter role, as a works entry, on the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally and just two years later gained its first major series success when works driver Vic Elford became European Rally Champion. Pauli Toivonen took the European title in 1968 driving a works-entered 911 and two years later the 911 brought Porsche its first World Championship of Makes. Determined to maintain the 911’s competitiveness against the Alpine-Renaults and Lancias, Porsche introduced the lightweight Carrera RS in 1972. Porsche’s motor sport variant of the 911, the Carrera RS weighed a remarkable 900kgs ‘dry’ courtesy of thinner body panels, while the 2.7-litre flat-six engine was tuned for 210bhp on mechanical fuel injection. The RS immediately proved itself a winner in both rallies and circuit races, the resulting demand proving so great that the intended production run of 500 was extended to 1,300 cars.
Restored in 1990, this original, right-hand drive 911 has been fully prepared for post-historic stage rallying and boasts a 3.0-litre, Weber-carburetted engine built by Porsche specialist Elkin Robinson. The motor’s approximately 250bhp is delivered via a five-speed close-ratio gearbox (newly rebuilt) and limited-slip differential, while full safety modifications include an XS Racing roll cage, fire extinguishing system, safety fuel tank, sump guards, etc. Body panels are all steel with the exception of the bonnet and boot lid. The vendor advises us that the car has only been used on tarmac and is in superb, undamaged condition. Finished in red with matching interior, it is offered with MoT to June 2009, current road fund licence and Swansea V5. We understand that MSA post-historic vehicle identification papers have been applied for.