Revealed at the 1972 Paris Auto Salon, Porsche revived the Carrera name for its top-tier 1973 911 model, the Carrera RS (RennSport). Initially intended as a limited edition for Group 4 GT racing, requiring at least 500 units, the high demand led to an extended production run of 1,590 units, allowing homologation in Group 3 for standard GT production cars.
Built on a lightened 911S platform, the Carrera RS boasted revised suspension and wider rear wheels for enhanced handling. Its 2.7-liter, fuel-injected, air-cooled six-cylinder engine produced 210bhp, propelling the car to a top speed of around 150mph. Today, the 1973 911 Carrera RS is among the most collectible and iconic Porsches, coveted by collectors worldwide.
Out of the 1,590 Carrera RS 2.7s, only 200 were ordered with the lightweight ‘Sports’ trim, making these models the ultimate road-going Porsches of the 1970s. Known as the Sports, Lightweight, or M471 option code, these cars improved the power-to-weight ratio by stripping 75kg from the standard model through lightweight body panels and glass. The Lightweight, at 900kg, was significantly nimbler than its 975kg Touring counterpart.
The RS ‘Sport’ or ‘Lightweight’ (conversion M471) featured larger wheels, luggage compartment carpeting, and an upgraded passenger seat, but lacked front bumper trim and decorative chrome strips found on Touring models. The first series of Lightweights used a weight-saving sticker for the Porsche crest instead of a metal badge and simple rubber hooks on the rear decklid in place of a metal catch and cable.
Photos by Darin Schnabel courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
