Porsche 911 Carrera RS



1972-73 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 The first Carrera RS (or Rennsport : sports racing) appeared at the October 1972 Paris Salon, it was produced for motorsport homologation purposes to allow a modified 911 to compete in the international group 4 category. A production run of 500 was required, but these sold out almost immediately, production was then extended to 1000, but demand didnt dwindle and a total of around 1580 were produced. Three versions of the RS were available, a very basic homologation model intended purely for racing and two versions for the road. The RS sport lightweight M471 and the RS Touring M472. The heart of the Carrera RS was the 2.4S engine with an increased bore to 90mm equating to 2687cc, using the same valves timing and compression, resulting in 210bhp at 6300rpm and 188lb/ft of torque at 5100rpm. The gearbox of the 2.4S was retained but modified for taller 4th and 5th gears giving 152mph top speed. In the handling department the koni dampers of the 2.4S were ditched in favour of Gas-filled Blistein dampers, in combination with new thicker front and rear anti roll bars. The RS was based upon a much lightened 2.4S bodyshell. Most of the RS's produced featured thinner gauge steel on the roof, doors and bonnet. Thinner side and rear glass was fitted to the lightweight models.All had glass fibre bumpers and engine lids featuring the first duckail spoiler. The rear arches were also 50mm wider than the 2.4S to accomodate the 7x15" fuchs alloy wheels. The Carrera RS was the first porsche production model whose rear wheels were wider at the rear than the front. To maximise weight saving even the underseal was limited to the wheel arches on lightweight models. The RS touring M472 was fitted with a full 2.4S interior and all its luxuries like electric windows and sunroof costing it 100kg in weight over its Lightweight 970kg M471 brother. The lightweight model had fixed positon Recaro bucket seats and no rear seats fitted, The door panels were very basic with no detailing, pull tog handles and mechanical window winders. No clock or passenger sun visor were fitted. It is also rumoured that the last of the touring models were produced without the thinner gauge steel, but details of this are unconfirmed and even the specialists cannot confirm detail of numbers. Specifications: Construction: All-steel monocoque Engine: Rear-mounted all aluminium dry sump ohc 2687cc flat six with bosch mechanical fuel injection. Compression ratio: 8.5:1 Transmission: 5 speed manual Suspension: Front: Strut and tortion bar, lower wishbone, anti-roll bar. Rear: Semi-trailing arm, torsion bar, anti-roll bar Brakes: Discs all round Steering: Rack and Pinion Length: 4147mm Width: 1610mm Wheelbase: 2272mm Track: 1372(f) 1372(r) Weight: m471 970kg m472 1070kg Max Power: 210bhp @ 6300 rpm Max Torque: 188lb/ft @ 5100rpm 0-60 mph: 5.5 seconds Top speed: 152 mph