Lot 471: 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-liter, 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 basic specifications. The Lightweight was intended for competition, whereas those who valued comfort could specify the extra-cost Touring package (order number �472�) that offered the luxury of the 911S�s trimmed and upholstered interior.

The car we offer here, chassis number �9113600866�, previously formed part of the Otis Chandler Collection, its presence therein reflecting the allure and appeal of the Carrera RS. Strikingly finished in yellow/orange with black interior and featuring the model�s characteristic �Carrera� side script, it is equipped with driving lights, Fuchs alloy wheels, Alpine CD changer stereo and folding rear seat backs. The speedometer is calibrated in miles-per-hour, while the remaining instruments are metric units with German legends. The cosmetics are good, as is the engine compartment, while the seat coverings are lightly creased, indicating careful use and preservation. Notable as the last classic Porsche 911 in Otis Chandler�s world famous collection, this superb Carrera RS comes fully equipped and road ready. A correct and numbers matching car, it is offered with Porsche Certificate of Authenticity from the factory.