1972 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Prototype

by Jim Schrager

This unusual 2.7 Carrera RS was created in 1972, based on the 2.4-liter 911S, and with which Porsche assaulted the 3-liter racing classes. Today, the RS is regarded by many as one of the top five sports cars to emerge from the 1970s. Its versatility is hardly surprising; the 911 was designed from the start to be equally suitable for competition and series production. It is highly usable, both trickling through traffic and competing on the race course or rally route.

Thanks to a Nikasil coating on the light alloy cylinder walls, the existing 2.4 S cylinders were bored out to a capacity of 2,687 cc. The fuel-injected six-cylinder air- and oil-cooled engine was the largest used on a road-going Porsche of the time, capable of 158 mph and accelerating from standstill to 62 mph in just over five seconds. Combined with an excellent 5-speed gearbox, powerful, responsive brakes and precise handling, the Carrera RS was more than a match for Ferraris of the day....