To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$400,000 - $500,000
- Matching chassis, engine, and gearbox
- One of 42 examples delivered in Bahia Red
- Only three registered owners from new
- Offered from long-term ownership since 1991
- Less than 81,000 original kilometers
In the custody of the current owner since 1991, this 911 Carrera RS
was originally delivered to a Mr. Kurt Swigler, a resident of the
lakeside community of Gwatt, Switzerland, on 19 April 1973. It was
one of just 1,308 Touring (M472) versions of the widely acclaimed
RS 2.7, and one of only 42 finished in Bahia Red (1313). It was
trimmed with a black interior with charcoal carpeting and finished
with wheel centers painted red to match the body. This was a very
nicely optioned example, ordered with an electric sunroof (M650),
power windows (M651), Sport seats upholstered in black leatherette
and Perlon corduroy and fitted with stiffer springing on the
driver's side (M405), a pair of headrests (M258), a limited-slip
differential (M220), electric radio antenna and speaker package
(M441), a pair of round under-bumper H3 white fog lamps (M458), and
a Webasto gas heater (M060). A set of Pirelli tires was also
specified.
Porsche built three series of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7. An initial
series of 500 cars to Group 4 specification was required to
homologate the company's new Group 5 Special Grand Touring racer,
the 911 RSR. There was so much demand for the RS that another 500
were put into production, and when orders continued to pour in, a
third run was ordered. In all, there were 17 RSH homologation
chassis, 200 M471 Sport (or "Lightweight") cars, and the balance -
1,308 units - were M472 Touring versions that retained many comfort
and convenience features of the standard 911 S. The RS 2.7 became
instantly recognizable by its flared rear quarter panels necessary
to accommodate wider rear wheels and larger tires, as well as its
iconic rear burzel, or "ducktail" rear spoiler.
Documents accompanying this car indicate that it was sold by Mr.
Swigler to British classic car dealer David Alston of Milton Keynes
in early 1989. Soon afterward, it was sold to a Mr. R. Jaynes of
London. Mr. Jaynes enjoyed the car for three years before selling
it to another London-area exotic car dealer, Mark Pullicino
Classics. An inspection of the car at 59,977 km deemed it
"excellent and original." On 10 June 1991, the current owner - then
living in London - acquired the car from Pullicino, by which time
it had accrued 65,600 km. In 1994 the current owner relocated to
Waltham, Massachusetts, and arranged shipment of his Porsche to the
U.S. through the Port of Houston, Texas, where it was picked up and
remained with compliance specialist Wallace Testing Laboratories.
The owner notes that "at 22 years of age, it was still a few years
shy of legal importation as a classic car. On 11 April 1994,
Wallace Labs obtained NTHSA approval that the car could be released
to me. I had it transported to Massachusetts where it stayed until
I moved to Arizona in October 2013."
Soon after its arrival in Massachusetts, a new clutch was
installed, along with modern oil-fed Carrera-type chain tensioners,
new heat exchangers, and a new muffler. While the internal
structural parts were found to be in good condition, a front fender
and a left-hand door skin were replaced and repainted by West
Foreign Auto Body of Natick, Massachusetts. This also required
application of a new OEM black Carrera script. In 2012, the owner
commissioned a full engine overhaul by European Performance
Engineering, also in Natick.
A few comfort and convenience upgrades were made by the current
owner, including replacement of the standard shift lever with a
factory short-shift kit; the original parts were retained and will
be included. The owner recently replaced the shift linkage coupler.
The radio installed by the first owner has been replaced with an
AM/FM/SW/cassette head and a pair of Pioneer speakers placed in the
front kick panels. The gas heater is not operative and the sunroof
cables may need replacement. The car will also be supplied with its
correct collapsible spare wheel and tire with compressor, jack, a
partial tool roll, an owner's manual, and a folio of sales and
maintenance invoices.
Here is a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic 911 Carrera RS
that retains its original chassis, engine, and gearbox. While it
displays the patina typical of an unrestored example, it offers its
next owner the opportunity to drive the car as is or use it as the
basis of a ground-up restoration. Bahia Red is an unusual color in
the range of hues Porsche offered in that period and certainly
stands out among the more commonly seen paint schemes. With
relatively few kilometers added after its major mechanical
rebuilds, this Carrera is ready to enjoy.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.