Original Recipe
Among the air-cooled cognoscenti, the original 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 rightly resides in “das Beste vom Besten” 911 pantheon. Designed to meet homologation requirements for Group 4 racing, it blended lightweight construction, aerodynamic enhancements, and a potent 2.7-liter flat-six engine. The legendary Carrera RS was the creation of Porsche icons Ernst Fuhrmann and Norbert Singer–as they set about to create a ‘hot rod’ neunelfter by stripping out as much weight as possible (including removal of soundproofing) and significantly increasing the 2.4-6 displacement to 2.7ltr and the power from 190 to 210hp (incorporating Bosch MFI).
The more potent engine was accompanied by larger binders, wider rear rims, and fenders (to accommodate 215/60VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CN36 hides) along with the famed “ducktail” rear spoiler–to keep the rear in check. The RS Touring version weighed 1,075 kg /2,370 lb and the ever more rare and revered Sport Lightweight version was 100 kg/220lbs lighter—thanks to thin gauge steel body shell and thinner glass.
Green With Envy
When this particular verdant RS build of Dale Christian arrives at Porsche gatherings, the assembled are also green—with envy. The stunning Signal green “RS homage” hot rod shown here is largely the creation of renowned builder Ed McNamee of Stuttgart Inc. Ed worked with a veritable ‘who’s who’ of Porsche craftsmen, including the likes of Air Cooled Garage, Vision Motorsports, Ecklers, and TRE motorsports to build the drivetrain, and also with Tarette Engineering to construct the chassis.
Shiny parts were courtesy of Custom Metal Engineering, and the gleaming body finish is the handiwork of Jeff Jeppison at Classy Cars Detailing. The stunning competition-style interior, including thoughtful green weave seat inserts (and other signature green accents), is courtesy of European Auto Upholstery.
Details
This Stuttgartian “Green Monster” (yes, a nod to the legendary Akronite, Art Arfons) is powered by a modern fuel-injected 3.4 litre mill mated to a close-ratio 915/02 5-speed to rotate the sizable Toyo Proxies with considerable alacrity. Stopping is achieved via larger 993 binders at all four corners. Additional performance enhancements are noted in the proliferation of “lightening” drills and insertion of lightweight plexiglass windows.
Porsche enthusiast Dale Christian purchased this stunning Carrera RS from Ed McNamee a few years ago to add it to his already impressive air-cooled collection. The vibrant RS was given the appropriate chromatic nickname “Froggy” –with the combination of the green hue and classic 911 profile making the name particularly apropos. “God lives in the details,”–and after taking a careful walk around the car, it’s obvious the details of this Carrera RS build are exquisite.
SoCal Dreaming
Dale graciously and generously shares “Froggy” with the public in many car events, where yours truly had the pleasure of seeing the car. I eventually convinced Dale that it needed to be memorialized at the driving barns of the Irvine Ranch Historic Park, so the photos you see here are the result. Enjoy. Story & Photos by Royce Rumsey/Auto-Focused S.D.G. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. Edited by Rex McAfee
All images © 2024 Royce Rumsey
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