1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS Lightweight

The Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS ‘Lightweight’:

The 911 2.7 Carrera RS was built for one purpose, to allow Porsche to compete in motor racing. Motorsport homologation requirements dictated that 500 units needed to be produced, however in October 1972 at the Paris Auto Salon, the cars official introduction, Porsche sold out and a further 500 were given the green-light. Ultimately, Porsche would manufacture 1,580 examples before the end of 1973, with the vast majority being standard ‘Touring’ models.

There were predominantly 2 variants of 2.7 Carrera RS, a ‘Touring’ or ‘Lightweight’ specification, although Porsche did also produce two further models, a RSH homologation special, and the RSR race car.

1,308 Carrera RS units were specified from new with the M472 ‘Touring’ package, however only 200 examples were specified from new with the M471 ‘Lightweight’ option which featured thinner gauge steel for the wings, doors and roof panel in conjunction with thinner and lighter clear glass from the Belgian firm Glaverbel. The lightweight cars also benefited from no sound insulation, no rear folding seats, no sun visor, no dashboard clock, radio or glovebox door, they really were focussed machines. The list of differences continues with the ‘Lightweights’ also being fitted with racing seats, no power windows, fibreglass bumpers, no decorative chrome strip along the length of the sill, no rear opening windows, and the substitution of a sicker in place of the Porsche crest on the bonnet.

This ‘Lightweight’:

According to its Certificate of Authenticity, this Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS ‘Lightweight’ completed production on the 24 January 1973 and was sold new through Porsche Switzerland. This car was finished in Grand Prix White/Blue with black leatherette and perforated seat inlays, a specification it retains to this day. Interestingly, this is possibly the lightest of all ‘Lightweights’ as it was specified with no options from new.

The first owner was Mr Jacques Durst of Switzerland who maintained ownership for over four and a half years before selling the car to George Suremann, a resident of Wallisellen, near Zürich. The third owner, Mr Hug, is believed to have upgraded the engine to a 3.1 litre Turbo unit, also replacing the front and rear spoilers. It is understood he was keen to participate in some amateur races, although was diligent enough to keep the original components, including the engine, safely stored. There are no records suggesting that Mr Hug did compete with this car, nor did he register the upgrades with the strict Swiss authorities. Also, during Mr Hug’s ownership, in September 1973, he had the car pass its Swiss MOT, at which time it was displaying 56,233 kms.

Norman Grimshaw was the cars next owner, purchasing it through Garage Albert Ulrich in Dubendorf and exporting it to the UK in January 1988. During his extensive and detailed research, the current owner reached out to Norman Grimshaw who confirmed his ownership and the complete originality of the car, including the shell. Grimshaw also confirmed that the original engine and gearbox remained in storage with him during his ownership, until 1998 when he sold the car to its 5^th owner.

Russell Edmunds was the next custodian, taking ownership from Grimshaw in 1998, storing the car until 2002 before commissioning a complete and extensive bare-shell restoration by marque specialists B.S Motorsport, at which time the original engine was refitted. This extensive restoration is fully documented in the impressive history file which accompanies this ‘Lightweight’. This restoration was completed over a six-year period, ending in June 2008 with the car being MOT’d in July at which time it was displaying 64,033 kms, only 8,000 kms more than when MOT’d in Switzerland, some 25 years earlier!

In October 2013, this car was purchased by Loris Dullaart in Holland who had the car inspected in the UK by Porsche centre Dick Lovett in Swindon. Mr Dullaart is the nephew of the owner of the Porsche centre Neudsen Netherlands and kept the car for a couple of years before the current owner obtained it.

Since purchasing the car, the current owner has returned it to the UK, and in April 2015 had the car inspected by Renn Sport Classics Ltd who completed a VIN-print certificate of image capture, confirming both the chassis and engine number stampings and production number in the dashboard to be correct and original. Later, in December 2016 the current owner received the cars Certificate of Authenticity, confirming delivery specification.

Being one of only 200 ‘Lightweight’ specification 911 2.7 RS’, complete with tool kit, original documentation and an extensive history file, this 911 offers a rare opportunity to add one of the most iconic 1970’s sports cars to your collection.

Price upon request