Photography Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The Porsche 911 2.7 Rennsport, “RS” for short, was Porsche Competition Department’s answer to a new FIA series for 1973. In order to meet the series’ entry requirements, a minimum of 500 homologation production vehicles were required. Two variations of the RS model were offered, Sport and Touring—the car at hand being the latter.
The Sport model is a hardcore, no-nonsense, stripped-out racer with little amenities, while the Touring model pictured here came optioned with a full interior, sunroof, sport seats, optional Becker-Mexico stereo, and Signal Yellow paint—most were Grand Prix White. Still, even being the more “civilized” of the two, the Touring is a serious machine that placed performance at the forefront of development.
Avid Porsche enthusiast Lee Giannone was starting to feel regret after letting go of his 1975 Porsche RSR. In 2004, Lee called his friend Kevin Jeanette to wish him and his family a Happy Thanksgiving. Being gearheads, their conversation naturally turned to automobiles when Lee asked Kevin, “If you ever run across an RS, let me know.”
Coincidentally, Kevin was already working a deal for a package of early 911s that were located in Japan. Kevin was looking for a buyer for the RS in the bundle, and Lee obliged to take the car, sight unseen. Three months later, the RS arrived via container ship. Other than having been resprayed Grand Prix White, the RS was said to be surprisingly original, down to the numbers-matching drivetrain.
Kevin immediately set out to make, “The nicest RS on the planet”. The expedition to source no-longer-available RS specific original parts was limitless. The correct RS 4-spoke steering wheel was found in England, the bonnet badge came from Australia, and the German RS owner’s booklet was found in Holland. Florida-based Porsche shop Gunner Racing was hired to go over the entire RS, attending to every nut and bolt. GR even went so far as de-looming the entire factory engine harness for a thorough cleaning and re-looming to Porsche spec.
Though iconic, the Grand Prix White wasn’t the proper color for this special Touring model, so a complete Signal Yellow respray resurrected this RS’s original “jelly bean” aura. Motivated to have the RS ready for the 2008 Porsche Parade in Charlotte, the body panels and glass were painstakingly re-mounted to the chassis, while an incredibly rare factory optional Becker-Mexico Olympia head unit was fitted—the final touch.
Exhausted, Kevin and Lee arrived in North Carolina, unloaded the narrowly-completed 2.7 RS, and prepped the car for Concours review. After some much needed rest, the judgment day had arrived. Anxiously, at 4:30 am, Lee turned over the rebuilt 2.7 for the first time. The flat-six fired to life! After moving through the Concours group rounds, the citrus RS made its way to final judging, where it received an incredible 296.7 out of 300 points, earning top honors. Being the only RS at the time to win a Concours, it was—and arguably still is—“The nicest RS on the planet”.
The car was then sold to a California Porsche fanatic who’s driven the car on occasion, but has preserved the restoration’s near-flawless execution. The original spare, tool kit, jack, valet key, German owner’s manuals, and Japanese bill of sale are included.
History
- Complete restoration by Gunnar Racing (Kevin Jeanette)
- Original numbers-matching drivetrain
- Best of Show at Porsche Parade Concours (2008: 296.7/300 points)
Specifications
210 bhp, 2,687 cc SOHC air-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, five-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, torsion bars, and an anti-roll bar, independent rear suspension with transverse torsion bars, tubular shock absorbers, and an anti-roll bar, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 89.4 in.
Vehicle information
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Chassis no.: 9113601018
Engine no.: 6630992
Gearbox no.: 7831000
Valuation
Auction house: RM Sotheby’s
Estimate: $900,000-$1,100,000 Usd.
Price realized: Auction on December 10
