50 Years of Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

With the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche created a sports car 50 years ago that is still celebrated today and has long since achieved legendary status. Initially planned to be built in 500 units, it ultimately became 1,580 vehicles. Most of which have been preserved to this day. Since then, the abbreviation RS has stood for the sportiest offshoots of the respective 911 series. What was once 2.7 liters of displacement recently became a smooth 4 liters in the 911 GT3 RS. But uncompromising lightweight construction of the original model is unmatched in today’s RS cars. According to official documents, RS stands for RennSport, making the purpose of these cars directly clear. Porsche vehicles were used in racing by enthusiastic customers all over the world from the launch of the first 356. The factory in Zuffenhausen was always in a position to respond appropriately to incoming customer requests for motorsport-specific accessories. Initially, however, the company itself only competed from time to time as a factory team.

From sports car to race car

This only changed with the 911, which was allowed to show what it was capable of on both racing and rally tracks. It quickly became obvious that there was more lurking here than the boxer engine, which had grown to 2.4 liters in the late 1960s, could deliver as standard. The racing department, which had been set up in the meantime, set about further developing the 911 in order to offer a competitive car in the world sports car championship. The focus wasn’t only on higher performance, but also on consistent lightweight construction and good drivability. Initially, the idea was to place the rear hood horizontally in the airstream on supports, like Abarth did with some Fiat models. This not only improved engine cooling, but in addition also served as a wing and thus reduced lift at the rear axle. At the 911, this lag of downforce is a result of its iconic shape. Due to a veto by the responsible FISA (later FIA) technician, the aerodynamicists had to rethink and created the fiberglass ducktail spoiler.

500 became 1,580

This unusual rear spoiler adorned the hood of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 presented in 1972. As a homologation model with road approval, this model was to be sold to normal customers. According to the regulations, 500 units had to be built, which was also in line with Porsche’s plans. Two equipment variants were offered: Sport with a spartan interior without rear bench and Touring with a rear bench, heating, radio and the option of ordering a sunroof. However, no one in Zuffenhausen had reckoned with one thing: customer demand. All cars at the dealers were sold out immediately. At times, it wasn’t possible to deliver enough cars for the demand. By the end of 1973, 1,580 units had been built, most of which have survived to this day. Under the hood was a 2.7-liter six-cylinder boxer engine with 154 kW/210 hp, which in the Sport version met with under 1,000 kilograms of kerb weight.

From RS to RSR

For racing, Porsche produced the Carrera RSR 2.8 based on the RS, of which 55 units were built. From 1973 onwards, they won various victories in customer and factory hands, for example at the Targa Florio. Various further developments led to the Carrera RS 3.0, which also enjoyed success on the race track. With its huge rear wing, it already gave a first foretaste of the upcoming 911 Turbo. In fact, exhaust gas turbocharging also made its debut at Porsche in the 911 Carrera RS. This happened in 1974 in the 911 Carrera RS Turbo 2.1, which was built as a thoroughbred prototype in order to be ideally prepared for the 1975 production car championship. With drivers like Gijs van Lennep at the wheel, this car caused fear and terror among opponents. At the rear, it carried a living-room-cabinet-sized wing. Some owners also used their Carrera RSs in rallying.

RS moniker returned in 1991

In the late 1970s and full 1980s, the RS moniker was lost for a while. It reappeared in new splendor on the rear of the 964 Carrera RS in 1991. This car took the 911 back to the racetrack. There was also an RS variant of the 993, which was alternatively offered as a Clubsport with even larger wings. From the 996 series onwards, “Carrera” was dropped from the RS models. These were now based on the powerful GT3 offshoots and rounded them off at the top. There were even four different RS models of the 997, since before and after the facelift the GT3 offshoots were RS topped. In addition, the GT2 received the RS noble title. To top it off, shortly before the model change to the 991, the displacement of the 997 GT3 RS was increased to 4 liters. GT2 RS and GT3 RS 4.0 have already become collector’s items due to their limited edition. There were also two GT3 RS variants of the 991 as well as a GT2 RS.

Price increase in ten years

In the foreseeable future, the abbreviation RS should also be emblazoned on the rear of the top model of the current Porsche 992. Until then, let’s look back and enjoy the details of the legendary Carrera RS 2.7, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Interestingly, the first ten prototypes still had color-filled lettering on the sides. The rear model lettering was also in a different place than on the production cars. Around ten years ago, good examples were well priced between other sports cars of this era at around € 225,000 market value. In the meantime, you have to be very lucky if such a vehicle changes hands for only twice the price. If it is a lightweight (Sport) model, the figures on paper are even higher. It has never been cheap to pursue one’s good taste. But it is worth it.

Images: Porsche