There are many special iterations of the 911 Carrera in the pantheon of Porsche history, however it is the Carrera 2.7 RS that stands head and shoulders above the rest as the holy grail of 911’s. The late 1960’s and early 1970’s capped Porsche’s dominance in prototype racing and saw the start of their GT racing program, which would be birthed on the back of the wildly successful 911S 2.4. Almost a decade after the 911’s debut, Porsche unveiled at the 1972 Paris Auto Show the cream of the crop for the first generation 911 - the homologation special Carrera 2.7 RS. Porsche’s philosophy was that all Porsches, with the exception of pure competition cars, should be used for daily transportation and, despite its motorsport roots, the Carrera 2.7 RS would be the pure embodiment of this approach.

Built upon the 911S 2.4, the Carrera 2.7 RS development was led by engineering master Norbert Singer, and saw the car receive significant enhancements over its 2.4 liter sibling. Arguably its biggest upgrade was the mechanically injected, lightweight motorsport-derived 2.7 liter flat-6, putting out 210hp thanks to technological developments trickling down from the all-dominating 917 Prototype program. This updated 2.7 liter engine enabled the 911 to fight above its weight and compete within the FIA Group 4 class amongst the fiercest rivals of the day, such as the Ferrari 365 and DeTomaso Pantera.

Additional cosmetic alterations included the first aerodynamic wing on a 911, the now utterly iconic ducktail rear spoiler, along with widened wheel arches allowing for larger sets of rubber, and weight reduction modifications such as a minimalist interior, thinner glass, and lightweight panels. All of these monumental changes, both mechanically and cosmetically, forged the mold for all future Porsche race-road specials, and culminated in the Carrera 2.7 RS being the standard to which all subsequent high performance 911’s are held to this day.

Despite its rarity, what truly elevated the Carrera 2.7 RS to the icon status it retains today, is the sublime driving experience it delivers. Tantalizingly engaging, the Carrera 2.7 RS draws the driver deep into the analogue experience with the wailing sound of its flat 6, the steering feel and feedback, its remarkable poise through cornering, and how playful the chassis is in the hands of the driver. Blindingly quick when new, boasting a 0-60mph of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 152mph, the Carrera 2.7 RS is still genuinely fast today in its own right, further cementing its status amongst the hallowed halls of historic automotive greats.

The Cultivated Collector’s 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS, Chassis 0802, is one of 1,308 produced “M472” Touring specification cars, and is considered one of the very best examples of the Carrera 2.7 RS today. 0802 would find itself first owned by Prince Max Emanuel von Thurn & Taxis, who was a member of the noble German Thurn & Taxis family. During the 14th-17th centuries, his family would gain notoriety and a place amongst the German aristocracy by building many of the prolific castles in the Bavarian region, and further cementing their legacy by transitioning to operating the postal service as well as numerous breweries. Prince Max Emanuel would enjoy 0802 for one year before the car would be sold and subsequently change ownership five times over the next few years, ultimately landing in the stewardship of Gottfried Kadach in 1989.

Mr. Kadach would prove to be an ideal caretaker for 0802, as he was not only highly respected within the Porsche racing world as the owner of Kadach Porsche-Tuning & Service, but he was also a renowned Porsche restorer. During Mr. Kadach’s stewardship, 0802 would receive no shortage of love and appreciation, undergoing a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration to its original specifications. In 2006, after 17 years of stewardship, Mr. Kadach would relinquish ownership of 0802, seeing the car move West to the United Kingdom with its new owner. Immediately upon landing in the UK, renowned marque specialists Export 56 were tapped to tackle a painstaking list of mechanical and cosmetic points to be addressed on 0802, with the goal being to bring the car as close to perfection as possible. The result of this work would allow 0802 grace the cover of the June 2007 issues of both 911 & Porsche World and Speedster magazines. A few years later, in December of 2011, 0802 was serviced by Porsche specialists Maxted-Page and Prill Limited, with the car being destined for US shores shortly after work was completed.

Today 0802 retains its original, numbers-matching engine and gearbox, while being cloaked in its original “Licht Gelb” paint over black leatherette interior and it presents as one of the best of the breed - a car with high integrity, no stories, and extensive historical documentation. Complete with a COA issued by Porsche, as well as restoration photographs and documentation from Kadach, 0802’s accompanying files thoroughly document the lineage of this spectacular Porsche. For those enthusiasts seeking a true driving nirvana experience to add to their garage, look no further than our 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS.