Chassis No. 9113601083
Engine No. 6630513 (see text)
In recent years, as Carrera RS 2.7 values have continued to escalate, especially among those exceptionally original models that stayed firmly on the Strasse, it is perhaps easy for many to overlook Porsche’s rationale for creating the model. Having built only a little over 20 examples of the 911 R, Porsche remained cautious about producing a road-going competition variant of the 911 in meaningful numbers to support the ambitions of its Customer Sport Department. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that Porsche once again tried its hand at homologating a special GT racing variant of the 911 in any number with the FIA.
Without repeating past missteps, Porsche approached the new Carrera RS model in the spring of 1972 with a clear objective: to build enough cars for the groundswell of hungry customers to go racing. Until Porsche surpassed the homologation thresholds for Group 3 (500) and, later Group 4 (1,000), each RS 2.7 was first completed in stripped RSH (Homologation) form and taken to a weighing station to certify its minimum curb weight. It was then returned to the factory for final specification, optioned with code M471 as either one of 200 rare Sport models (now commonly referred to as ‘Lightweight’) or as a Touring with option code M472. Interestingly, only 17 individuals chose to order their Carrera 2.7 RS in the bare-bones RSH configuration. Porsche had a hit on their hands, and as orders poured in, production was extended to 1,580 cars. In doing so, Porsche placed a significant number of competition-ready cars into the hands of customers who used them as intended—for competition.
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 chassis number 9113601083 was constructed in April 1973, likely just outside of the FIA’s laborious homologation requirements, as one of 200 rare M471-optioned Lightweights. Konradsheim and Gruber’s seminal Carrera RS documents that it was finished in popular Light Yellow and trimmed in Black leatherette as one of only 44 destined for delivery to Sonauto in Paris, France. It was ordered with an optional and sporting limited slip differential. Interestingly, Carrera RS notes additional equipment specific to Sweden (C09), yet a letter dated December 1989 contained within the history file from former Head of Porsche’s Customer Sport Department, Jürgen Barth, notes “Equipment for France.”
Numerous inspection reports accompanying the car document the Carrera 2.7’s history. It is believed that the RS remained with Sonauto until September 1973 with Jürgen Barth recording that it was piloted by Jean-François Grobot at the Hill-climb Belleau and later raced to victory by Francis Roussely at the Rallye du Touquet earlier that June. Roussely was the newly crowned Gr.3 French Rally Champion and, perhaps smitten with the Porsche’s performance, acquired the car and registered it on “6200 RA 54” number plates that September. He quickly entered it in the 18th Tour de France Automobile that month resplendent in Sonauto and BP’s yellow and green, and given start number 76. Images contained within the history file show Roussely and his now co-driver J-F Grobot on the limit with one wheel off the ground, yet no matter the pace shown by the RS and the French duo within, they would ultimately be disqualified on the fourth day for missing a checkpoint. Roussely piloted the car at additional rallies to start the 1974 season with success, winning the Ronde Fédérale de l’Aisne overall and taking a class win at the Ronde de Touraine.
In March 1974, a copy of its French Certificat d’Immatriculation reveals that Jean-Louis Philippe acquired the RS, with images within the history file detailing a continuation of the RS’s extensive racing career into the mid-1970s. French magazine Echappement describes the well-known RS as “ex. Roussely” during its participation in the Criterium de Touraine in their July 1974 issue. In January 1977, the M471 Lightweight passed to an unrecorded owner based in Dunkirk, France before its acquisition by long-term caretaker Pierre Landereau that April. It was Landereau who would write Jürgen Barth in Weissach for build details on his rare Lightweight, with a copy of the reply on file. Landereau would pass the car to Alain Cossec of Hauts-de-Seine just outside Paris in 1990.
In 1996 the RS would head south to the coastal roads of Labenne before being acquired by legendary endurance racer and rally pilot Guy Chasseuil. Best known for his exploits at Le Mans throughout the 1970s, Chasseuil may have felt a particular affinity for chassis 1083 given its Sonauto connection and his own association with the factory-backed Sonauto BP Racing Carrera RSR at the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chasseuil would commission a full report from Barth in 2013 detailing the car’s history and full exploits up to that time.
In 2012, the car left France under foreign ownership for the first time, relocating to England, first with famed racing driver and collector Frank Sytner, and then Ronald Hing in 2013. Restoration receipts on file during Hing’s ownership show that the car visited Maxted-Page, a well-known and highly respected restoration shop, for a thorough engine-out service, with numerous replacement parts and a concours detail for The Warren Classic—where it took first in class—totaling nearly £18,000. Additional work continued throughout 2014, and in 2015 and 2016 Maxted-Page conducted a full glass-out repaint in its original shade of Light Yellow and re-liveried to its 1973 Sonauto- and BP-sponsored Tour de France livery. Hing also applied for and received an FIA Historic Technical Passport (now expired) through the U.K.’s Motor Sports Association (MSA).
In 2017, now properly restored to its glory days, it returned to the Continent, acquired by Kobus Cantraine, a name familiar to many within the Porsche community. In Cantraine’s brief time with the car, he compiled an additional report on file and available for review. In 2018 the car was acquired by the consignor and relocated to Italy. Under current ownership it has been granted identity cards from the ASI and FIVA. Furthermore, in recognition of the RS 2.7’s history, the car is now fitted with a correct type 911/83 2.7 RS flat-six (serial number 6630513 from 1973 2.7 RS chassis number 9113600520).
Offered as one of just 200 M471 “Lightweight” examples, chassis 9113601083 captures the essential competition spirit of the Carrera RS 2.7. Accompanied by period images, documentation, and inspection reports, and presented in its evocative Sonauto/BP Tour de France livery, it reflects its documented competition history. Eligible for many of the world’s leading historic events, this RS offers its next custodian an engaging and highly usable entry into one of Porsche’s most celebrated homologation models.
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