1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 'RSH'

At the Paris Motor Show launch of the 1973 911 Carrera RS, Porsche was worried that it wouldn’t be able to sell the 500 units required to homologate the new car for racing in the FIA’s group 3 GT class. But, thankfully for Porsche, the car proved a hit with over 1,500 examples built across three series.

In order to be complaint with the FIA’s homologation documents, Porsche had to weigh RS models during production to ensure that the weight of the cars produced met what was on the homologation papers. Every single component of these cars was scrutinized for weight including the body parts which were made of 0.8 mm sheet metal, thinner window glass, narrower tires, simplified trim, and even the deletion of the coat hooks.

After the RS cars were weighed, they were then converted into M471 Lightweights, M472 Touring, or M491 RSRs before being sold to customers. But 17 units were left unconverted and are now known as the special “RSH” models, the H one would assume being for “Homologation.”

This 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is one of those 17 and is said to have been the RSH used to homologate 6” and 7” Fuchs wheels for the series. It is finished in Grand Prix White with Red lettering and Red-centered Fuchs wheels over a spartan Black cloth interior.

The car has been restored by RS expert Nate Cantwell with original panels and parts used wherever possible to retain the historical significance of the car. The mechanical bits were entrusted to Scott Hendry and Dan Reese of Scott’s Independent in Anaheim, California, with precise attention paid to the original build process. Documentation of this build can be seen in the Spring 2017 issue of 000 magazine, an article I remember reading at the time and thinking, whoa, this is the one to have.

The market for ‘73 RS 2.7s has seen the rise of Touring models in the last few years with average prices in the ~$650k range and a high of $989,500 (includes buyers premium) for an example sold last year at The White Collection. 2.7 RS Lightweights come around less often but find their way above $1m more often than not with a high sale of $2,425,000 (including buyer’s premium) for an example restored by Cantwell at Gooding & Co.’s Monterey sale in 2022.

Our Spotlight car hammered at a final bid of $1.8m, which to me seems light (pun intended) for such a interesting part of Porsche’s history. The car is one of the rarest of the ‘73 RS and has been restored by the best in the business, so we know no shortcuts were taken here. So for this to not set a new record, when we’ve seen that the market has been willing to pay up for the best, means someone got a deal in my opinion.

TOGETHER WITH PORSCHE SALT LAKE CITY

There are many Porsche Centers here in the US, and then there are PORSCHE Centers. Those who have a deep-rooted passion for the history of the marque that shows through everything they do, especially their choice of inventory. And Porsche Salt Lake City is one such PORSCHE Center. Serving the Salt Lake Valley since 1958 as one of the first Porsche dealers in the United States, a quick browse of their inventory lets one know just how dedicated to the brand this group of Porsche enthusiasts is.

Take for example this 1993 964 Carrera RS 3.8. Produced as the base to homologate Porsche’s legendary 3.8 RSR race car, the Carrera RS 3.8 was the ultimate evolution of the standard RS as it shed around 600 lbs of weight while increasing horsepower to 300 for a most visceral driving experience. And with only 55 units produced, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another for sale on the showroom floor of another Porsche Center.

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