Vehicle Description
Click here to view high resolution photos
https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/rm69rF
One of the early 1st series Carrera RS examples built - chassis
0096
Matching numbers engine and transmission per Porsche Certificate of
Authenticity
Fully restored by Automobile Associates of Canton, including M471
Lightweight specification
Longtime U.S ownership - 34 years between two individuals
Sympathetically maintained - Large collection of service
records
Documented in the definitive Carrera RS book by Dr. Georg
Konradsheim
Includes owner's manuals, service and restoration documents, tool
kit, spare wheel/tire, and compressor
The Carrera RS is one of the most revered cars in the Porsche
lineage, and is regarded as one of the finest sports cars of the
1970's. Revealed at the 1972 Paris Auto Show, it was a factory
special built to meet the homologation rules of FIA Group 4 racing.
The RS ("Rennsport") was almost invincible at Le Mans, Daytona and
the Targa Florio, often winning outright against pure racing
prototypes. It's not often you would see the same car on the podium
one day, and passing you on the open road the next. The RS is
conclusive proof that one of Porsche's greatest skills was building
a car that was immensely competitive at the track, and equally
useable as a street car.
Porsche had only intended to produce 500 Carrera RS examples, set
on making just enough to homologate the cars in order to go racing.
These "1st series" cars are highly coveted, sporting thinner sheet
metal from the factory and were focused on being lightweight,
offering a "purer" experience. However, the general public fell so
in love with the Carrera RS platform that Porsche ultimately made 2
more rounds of cars, producing another 1,080 examples. These later
versions (often referred to as series 2 or series 3 cars) had
thicker sheet metal and were generally heavier than their 1st
series siblings.
This 911 Carrera RS was produced in November of 1972. Optioned in
Grand Prix White with blue script, the car was optioned with:
heated rear window (two-stage) tinted, limited slip differential,
head rests, sport seats, and shoulder and lap seatbelts. Built to
be delivered in Germany, this Carrera would remain in Europe for
the beginning of its history before being purchased by an American
orthopedic surgeon, Robert Herickson.
Nate Cantwell (one of the primary members of Automobile Associates
of Canton at the time), recalled that Robert Herickson was the type
of person who spent the right amount of money to have the very
best. Being an extremely successful orthopedic surgeon, he had
wherewithal to purchase many things that collectors would consider
holy grails. One of his cars that he had in his collection during a
period of time was a Porsche 917 PA Spyder and used it on the race
track. Robert purchased the Carrera RS from Motorsports
International on October 27th, 1986 for a cool $9,000, and quickly
sent the car to Automobile Associates of Canton. There it would
undergo a complete concours-level restoration, down to the bare
factory sheet metal.
Nate Cantwell, a former member of the Automobile Associates of
Canton team, was able to recall the restoration and the condition
of the Carrera RS when it first arrived. At that time Automobile
Associates of Canton were known for acquiring and importing Carrera
RS cars, and the common theme was that many had something terrible
happen to them during their history and then were fixed or
restored. The reason why this Carrera RS, 9113600096, was so
memorable to Cantwell was that this car had remained intact and
untouched. During the time at Automobile Associates, the car was
completely stripped to the bare body to reveal the factory welds
and thin sheet metal, untouched since the factory had finished
them. Minor corrosion issues that are common to Carrera RS cars
were fixed due to the lack of undercoating, but otherwise reported
that the car was surprisingly intact and complete. The restoration
took almost three years, with Automobile Associates taking their
time in ensuring that the quality of the restoration was second to
none. This attention to detail and quality-oriented mindset yielded
a restoration that even today has held up over the past 30
years.
Due to the fact that the car was being completely stripped down to
the very last component, Robert decided that he wanted to convert
the car to the prestigious M471 lightweight specification during
the restoration. Using NOS parts in order to build the car
properly, including Automobile Associates of Canton sourcing one of
three last original lightweight bumpers at the time, the car is
impossible to discern from a factory-delivered M471. Lightweight
door panels, minimal interior soundproofing and carpet, sports
seats, and other minimalistic touches for a true lightweight
experience.
Once the restoration was completed, Robert took delivery of the car
and drove it sparingly. With other cars in his collection, the RS
remained as a perfectly restored piece in his lineup of cars. The
RS stayed indoors within the confines of his garage, ensuring that
the 911 remained in beautiful condition.
In late 2004 a friend of Nate Cantwell was searching for a Carrera
RS that was an excellent example. With 0096 leaving an impact with
Cantwell that left him enamored with this particular car, he
reached out to Robert to see if he was interested in passing his
Carrera RS to the next caretaker. He was, so Cantwell set up Robert
and the next owner which resulted in the car being sold.
The most recent owner of this Carrera kept a collection of prized
Porsches, with a personal mechanic to ensure that all of his cars
were in excellent working order. A collection of service work
orders and parts receipts show the care that entailed with this
special Carrera RS during its time with the owner. After 16 years
of ownership and purchasing another M471 lightweight Carrera RS, he
decided that it was time to let this 911 move onto someone else who
would enjoy it. Being friends with Bruce Canepa, the two spoke
about the RS and shortly afterwards the Carrera arrived at
Canepa.
Each and every collector car that comes to Canepa is put through
and extensive and diligent process called the "Canepa Difference."
This includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where
all systems are checked and serviced as necessary. They also
receive an award-winning concours-level detailing, a thorough
cleaning of each and every surface that ensures that every car is a
sight to behold. Finishing off with a foam-pad-only polish to
enhance the paint finish, each and every car is a perfect example
and a personification of Bruce Canepa's impeccable attention to
detail.
Being that the 1st series batch of 911 Carrera RS cars spanned only
500 examples, having such a well-maintained and restored example
come through the facility is always a welcome sight. With the
combination of thinner sheet metal as Porsche originally intended
along with the fact that they fully expected only to build 500,
seeing one up close is a special occasion. With a restoration by
Jim Newton and Nate Cantwell of Automobile Associates of Canton in
fantastic condition, the significant maintenance performed to keep
the RS in perfect running order, and being a 1st series Carrera RS
are all reasons that set this car apart from the others. The
opportunity to own a piece of Porsche's homologation history that
you can drive and enjoy on the street is the example of duality
that Porsche has built a reputation upon.