Vehicle Description
View high resolution photos
https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/Bt1Y3V
Early 1st Series Carrera RS - chassis #0284
Rare M471 "Lightweight" specification
Matching numbers engine and transmission per Porsche Certificate of
Authenticity
Restored by Nate Cantwell for Dick Moran
Documented in the definitive Carrera RS book by Dr. George
Konradsheim
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 911 RS is
conclusive proof that one of Porsche's greatest skills was building
a car that was immensely competitive at the track, and yet equally
competent as a street car.
Porsche had only intended to produce 500 Carrera RS examples, set
on making just enough to homologate the RS 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 automotive publics
appetite for the Carrera RS platform meant that Porsche ultimately
made 2 more rounds of cars, producing a further 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, #0284, was optioned in Grand Prix White with
Blue script and wheels, and additionally specified as an M471
Lightweight model intended for racing. Delivered new to
Switzerland, this Carrera RS Lightweight would remain with its
original long-term owner until being purchased by a renowned U.S.
specialist, who imported it to the U.S.
Over the next few years the car was traded a couple of times,
including ownership by the celebrated automotive commercial
photographer, Michael Furman. The RS Lightweight then landed in the
collection of Dick Moran, who decided to restore chassis #0284 to
its factory original, as-delivered condition, and entrusted the
task to one of the world's foremost experts, Nate Cantwell.
In conversation with Cantwell, he was able to recall both the
restoration, and condition of the Carrera RS when he first received
it. #0284 was so memorable to Cantwell due to the fact that it had,
remarkably for a street legal race car, remained untouched, and
still retained its factory installed engine and gearbox. During the
restoration, the car was completely stripped to the bare metal,
revealing intact factory welds and factory original thin
"lightweight" sheet metal. It was also discovered that the RS
retained all of its original M471 Lightweight accessories,
including the sport seats, door panels, and other minimalistic
features. Cantwell proceeded to expertly restore #0284 from the
ground up, ensuring that every component was factory correct, and
to original RS Lightweight configuration.
The first series of 911 Carrera RS cars spanned only 500 examples,
and having such a well-maintained and expertly restored example
come through our doors is always a welcome sight, and inspecting a
car such as this is always a special occasion. With chassis #0284
we present the opportunity to own a celebrated piece of Porsche's
homologation history, one that you can drive and enjoy on the
street, and is the perfect example of duality that Porsche has
built its reputation upon.
