Bidding closes 8 pm Monday 6th March 2017

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Berlinetta Weekly – Lot 10 – Porsche 911 RS Replica

Registration number: GWD 717K
Chassis number: WPOZZZ91ZES103641
Engine number: 63E06587

Overview:

‘Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 – Simply the ultimate classic 911’ – Dennis Adler, Car Collector Magazine

The story behind the original 2.7 RS doesn’t need repeating here and neither will fans of the model need reminding about relative values for the 1,500-odd original examples. What’s perhaps surprising and relevant here are the recent prices achieved for RS replicas built on pre-’74 ‘long bonnet, horn grill’ shells – for a decent example you’re now likely to be looking at a six figure investment. Ouch.

So where does that leave all us impoverished RS fans with less than a paltry £50k to rub together?

From its production in 1984 as one of the first 3.2 litre Carrera models, this gorgeous 911 RS backdate has enjoyed a cossetted life as a well loved and cared for car and it comes with a complete, up-to-date and comprehensive service history.

The car has covered an average of less than 4000 miles a year since rolling off the production line, and whilst it’s now showing the best part of 120,000 miles on the clock, the good news is that GWD 717K was treated to a full engine rebuild about 20,000 miles ago, and thus (re)qualifies for ‘barely run in’ status.

Whilst the engine was being attended to the opportunity was taken to fit a short-shift kit for the period correct 915 gearbox, alongside a new clutch.

In 2013 the car underwent a full ‘backdate’ conversion to 1973 RS specification by renowned 911 experts Rennsport. Genuine steel Porsche wings were sourced and fitted, topped off with the correct chrome rimmed headlamps and separated by a lightweight 1973 RS long bonnet.

The correct lightweight RS front and rear bumpers were fitted along with the obligatory lightweight RS ducktail rear lid, whilst door frames and window trims were polished back to their base silver colour (surely saving precious milligrams). Door handles were chrome plated (those milligrams just went back on!) and the fitting of a single Durant door mirror completed the correct RS appearance with admirable attention to detail.

The car now certainly looks the part, resplendent in its unmarked period ‘signal yellow’ paint with correct Carrera RS decals. Indeed, from the outside only the most dedicated 911 expert would be able to spot it from a genuine RS, the period correct ‘K’ plate being an invaluable last touch.

During the conversion the interior wasn’t neglected, with work including the fitting of lightweight RS seats, lightweight door panels and a period Momo Prototipo steering wheel.

Mechanically the whole car was stripped, checked and updated where necessary – work here included a full suspension rebuild, at which point the car was lowered and treated to Rennsport ‘fast-road’ geometry settings. 911 Turbo control arms offer enhanced precision to the already legendary steering and the whole package was topped off with a new full sport exhaust system.

The car now resides in pampered luxury in a climate controlled storage facility and justified the hotel bills by being easily woken during our visit, the battery holding excellent charge and the starter spinning the 3.2 litre engine into immediate life whereupon it quickly settled down to its well recognised and much loved flat six waffle. As Lotus owners we were impressed to see not one drop of oil on the concrete as the 911 eased away from its parking bay.

On the road, the unstressed 3.2 feels as lively as any 20,000 mile Porsche motor should, sounding clean and eager and pulling strongly through every gear selected via the wonderful short-throw, non-dog leg, 915 ‘box. Squeaks and rattles were, as you might expect, entirely absent and the car rode, handled and stopped just as it should.

We hope that the photo gallery shows the condition of the bodywork and interior off in a comprehensive and honest light, needless to say, the owner would be happy to meet any prospective buyers to show them around the car during the week of the auction.

In terms of potential minor improvements, there is a trim panel missing in the front footwell (not perhaps that obvious in the photos) that would be an easy fix, and the under-bonnet carpet was absent during our visit, although this does come with the car. Mechanically, the only item on our ‘to do’ list if the car was ours would be to re-align the rear box on the exhaust system, which is currently slightly skewed.

Other than that, we could not find fault in this highly attractive 911. Of course it’s not a tool room copy of an RS – the mechanicals and dashboard etc. are in the main standard 3.2 Carrera, but then again, with 230bhp against the 2.7 RS’s mere 210, the car would more than hold its own in a straight fight. Visually it’s a stunning piece of kit guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes, and of course it goes very well anywhere you might care to point it.

With a guide well under the £50k mark, this car offers great value for fans of the classic 911 look without the depth of pocket required for a pre-’74 car of any sort, let alone a genuine RS.

Registration number: GWD 717K
Chassis number: WPOZZZ91ZES103641
Engine number: 63E06587

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