Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS Touring (1973)

The ultimate 911. There is no more iconic silhouette than that of the early 911 and of all the variations and differences in these cars the shape of the 2.7 RS with its Aerodynamic ducktail is the most instantly recognisable. It captured the imagination like the Jaguar E type had a decade before, and the initial run of 500 sold out almost immediately. Porsche had to reinstate production to build more – another 1,090, in fact – in order to meet demand.

RS stands for Rennsport in German, meaning "racing sport". The Carrera name was reintroduced from the 356 Carrera which had itself been named after Porsche's victories in the Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico in the 1950s. These sensational cars also achieved great success on the race track, RS both in touring and in lightweight spec were raced in almost every sports car race, the lightly modified RSR examples scored victories in the Targa Florio, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring all in their first year. Weighing in at only 975kg, 2.7 RS's have an impressive top speed of 150mph and performance figures of 0-65mph in just 5.8 seconds.

Whilst the UK would receive 110 examples of Porsche’s 2.7 RS from the 1580 strong production, few can lay claim to the merits of this example. One of the first 500, thoroughly original having benefitted from years of sympathetic maintenance, and the sole RHD example in Jade Green. This example also benefits from being a fully matching numbers example.

Completed on 18th January 1973, this example would receive its UK registration just shy of a Month later on 16th February. The first 500 cars standout for their specification-weight thinner gauge steel ensuring they tipped the scales a homologated 975kg in M471 guise or just 1,075kg in Touring specification with all of the luxuries of a 2.4 S added in.

Whilst the 2.7 RS was offered in an array of flamboyant 70s colours, it will perhaps be of little surprise that Grand Prix White with blue, green or red script, or without script accounts for 457 cars in total. Light yellow places second with a not inconsiderable 296 examples ordered from new. After Tangerine with 126 example, the number-by-colour tails off quite significantly. The 1973 palette offered buyers a choice of 30 colours, of which 28 were optioned.

Just 11 cars would be optioned in Jade Green from the total 1,580 examples produced. Of the 30 available shades, Jade Green was the 6th rarest colour. This example, supplied new to an investment banker in London. This example was further equipped with a limited slip differential, sports seats with black corduroy inserts and headrests, electric windows and for convenience, a heated rear screen and driver side mirror.

This example passed through two owners (Mr Morgan and Mr Grob) in quick succession when new before purchase by Mr Cowley in 1975. Reserving his drives of the 2.7 RS for sunny days – as outlined in the letter at the time of sale – Cowley would cover around 6,000 miles each year, including driving the car into London where it proved to be quite the run around. Servicing was meticulous and was carried out by Charles Ivey of Surbiton.

With his use of the car decreasing, the car was treated to some restorative works under the supervision of Ivey; a decision that would go on to support the purchased by the next owner in 1993.

Cowley parted ways with the 2.7 RS after 18 years of ownership. The car was purchased by Sytner Classics and is understood to have been intended for use by Frank Sytner himself. Sytner however had just purchased a RHD 3.0 RS which he preferred and the 2.7 RS was advertised for sale.

Mark Waring of Surrey took Fred Hampton of the Porsche Club GB along to see the car in Northampton in 1993. Fearful of recent paintwork, Waring had be dubious at first but his correspondence with Charles Ivey and the support of originality from Hampton saw the car change hands.

Waring would care and enjoy the car for 7 years. During the first few years of his ownership the car would see annual action on track, and then the car’s purpose shifted to that of a grand tourer. Attending Porsche shows in the UK and Germany, the 2.7 RS would see less and less use with Waring instead focussing on the cosmetic improvement of the car.

Sold to its most recent long term custodian in the millennium year, this RS has covered fewer than 6,500 miles in the 23 years since. Treated to a particularly sensitive glass-out restoration, this 2.7 RS retains much of its originality and charm. Testament to its originality, the original ‘orange’ Porsche badge remains, a crest that changed to red during the production run.

Purchased by the current owner just over a year ago, the 2.7 RS has just received a fresh service in our workshops. With a recent addition to their motoring stable, this 2.7 RS is becoming available for the second time in 31 years. Currently residing within our care at DK Engineering, if you are looking for an unrepeatable first 500 2.7 RS, you will have to act fast!

• Original UK supplied 'First 500' example
• 1 of 11 examples supplied new in Jade Green
• The sole RHD example in Jade Green
• Known and documented ownership from new
• 71,500 miles from new
• Accompanied by original book pack and RS supplement in English
• Benefits from being a fully matching numbers example