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1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Car Of The Day: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight

This is one of the most desirable 911s ever and auction prices will scare the bejesus out of you. The Carrera RS 2.7 was lighter, more powerful, and rarer than other 911s of the era. The Carrera 2.7 RS was a special model used to homologate the 911 in Group 4 racing.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Developed from the 911S, the 2.7 was more potent in almost every area. Compared to the standard Carrera, the 2.7 RS featured a larger engine, wider flares to accommodate the Fuchs alloy wheels, stiffened suspension, larger brakes and a ducktail rear spoiler.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

With the use of a Nikasil coating on the cylinder walls, the 2.4 unit could be bored out to a capacity of 2687 cc, but the standard valve train was retained. At the time, this became the largest engine available on a Porsche and was good for 210bhp at 6300 rpm. And with a taller 4th and 5th gear, the top speed was increased to 152 mph.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Initial production for the 2.7 was only 500 cars and it sold out almost immediately. Three versions were available, including a lightweight Sports trim, Race Trim or more opulent Touring trim for the road. The lightweight version was substantially lighter with thin-gauge body panels, lighter windows and a stripped out interior.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Of all the 1580 Carrera RS 2.7s, only 200 were made were ordered with this lightweight ‘Sports’ trim which made the car more responsive and purposeful. In many ways these few cars were the ultimate road-going Porsche of the 1970s.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Known as the Sports, Lightweight or even the M471 option code, these cars had improved the power-to-weight ratio. Reports of 75kg were stripped from the standard model by fitting lightweight body panels and lightweight glass. As a result, the Lightweight was a nimble 900kg car compared to its Touring counterpart at 975 kg.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Nathan Leach-Proffer ©2018 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Photo Source: RM Sotheby’s