The Carrera RS is one of the most famous Porsche models ever built, and has come over the years to be regarded as one of the top sports cars to emerge from the 1970s. It was designed and built with ambivalence very much in mind: Porsche’s engineers wanted a car that could be successfully used on the race track, yet which at a moment’s notice and with no modifications could equally be used for shopping or long distance travel. Few people could ever argue that they did not succeed in this aim. The RS is an eminently usable car, just as at home trickling through traffic as it is ploughing down the fast lane of the Autobahn, yet in competitions such as Le Mans, Daytona and the Targa Florio it was almost invincible, often winning outright against pure racing prototypes.
The RS (or Rennsport, to give it its German name) was based on the 911S, but used lightened bodywork and a revised 2.7-liter fuel-injected six, the largest engine yet used in a roadgoing Porsche at that time. With a total weight in the region of 950 kg and an honest 210 bhp-plus on tap, the RS was able to achieve a genuine 158 mph, with 60 mph from standstill coming up in just over five seconds: it was one of the fastest production cars in the world.
The car pictured here is one of 96 right-hand drive examples built to Touring specification (having the highest standard of interior equipment, including electric windows) and has been in its current ownership since 1987. It has covered 85,000 miles from new and has always been well-maintained, recent work including fitting a stainless steel exhaust and the latest hydraulic chain tensioners.
With coachwork in Electric Blue Metallic (commonly seen on the 911S) and black interior trim, the car is described as ‘excellent’ in every respect.