The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring Is a Rare Sunroof-Equipped Icon

The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring stands as a watershed moment in automotive history, marking the point where Porsche transformed its road-going 911 into a dominant Group 4 racing machine. While the “Lightweight” models catered to the track, the Touring (M472) specification offered a more civilized approach without sacrificing the visceral performance of the 2.7-liter flat-six. This specific chassis, 9113601141, carries a pedigree that few survivors can match. As one of only four factory sunroof examples originally delivered to France via the famed Sonauto importer, it represents a rare intersection of luxury and homologation-born speed. Never fully restored, it serves as a masterclass in authenticity for the upcoming Monaco Auction 2026.

Light Ivory Patina and the Iconic Ducktail Profile

The visual character of the Carrera RS is defined by the first-ever application of the “ducktail” rear spoiler, an aerodynamic innovation designed to reduce lift and improve high-speed stability. Finished in its factory-correct Light Ivory, the exterior of this chassis displays the honest character of a car that has been driven 248,000 kilometers across Europe. The thinner sheet metal and fiberglass engine cover, hallmarks of the RS series, remain preserved, as does the legendary wider rear wing profile. This Touring example retains its understated elegance, lacking the aggressive “Carrera” side scripts often seen on others, which further emphasizes its rare factory electric sunroof and refined French-market specifications.

Corduroy Textures and French-Market Luxury

Inside the cabin, the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring offers a perfect blend of performance-oriented ergonomics and grand touring comfort. The interior features black leatherette upholstery with desirable corduroy inserts, a combination that provides superior grip during spirited driving. This specific car was highly optioned from new, featuring sports seats and electric windows that distinguish it from the more spartan Sport models. The factory electric sunroof remains its most distinctive cabin feature, providing an open-air experience that is exceedingly rare for the RS platform. Despite its extensive history, the interior maintains its factory-correct materials, offering a tactile connection to 1973 that only an unrestored survivor can provide.

Matching-Numbers Flat-Six and Mechanical Purity

Performance is centered around the legendary bigger-bore 2.7-liter flat-six engine, which utilized low-friction Nikasil-lined cylinders and Bosch mechanical fuel injection to produce 210 hp / 213 PS. This matching-numbers powerplant remains paired with its original 5-speed manual gearbox, delivering the precise, mechanical engagement that defined Stuttgart’s golden era. The driving experience is sharpened by the factory RS suspension and larger disc brakes, which were designed to handle the 20 percent increase in power over the standard 911 S. With a torque output of approximately 188 lb-ft / 255 Nm, the RS 2.7 delivers a linear, high-revving soundtrack that is considered by many to be the ultimate expression of the air-cooled era.

Homologation Heritage and Global Collector Demand

The market for the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring has consistently set the standard for high-end Porsche collecting. As a homologation special, it competes in the same stratosphere as the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso or the BMW 3.0 CSL. While 1,580 examples were eventually produced, the M472 Touring models are increasingly prized for their usability in modern traffic and international touring events. This car’s unique “one of four” French sunroof status and its known ownership history in France, Austria, and the UK make it a standout asset. For collectors at the Monaco 2026 event, the combination of matching-numbers mechanicals and a never-fully-restored body represents the holy grail of Porsche acquisition.

Unrestored Integrity and Documented Provenance

Ownership of this Carrera RS is supported by a comprehensive history file that includes the original Sonauto sales invoice from May 1973 and a 2013 Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. Unlike many RS examples that were crashed or converted for racing, this car has been carefully maintained across its 248,000-kilometer journey. It retains its tool kit, jack, and service book, elements that are often lost over five decades of ownership. The fact that it has never undergone a full restoration is its greatest strength, preserving the factory-applied welds and finishes that are impossible to replicate. It remains a turnkey candidate for prestigious driving tours or as the cornerstone of a world-class Stuttgart-themed collection.

The Ultimate Air-Cooled Driving Artifact

Ultimately, the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring is much more than a car; it is a definitive artifact of 20th-century performance. It embodies a time when Porsche was small enough to be nimble yet technically advanced enough to rewrite the rulebook of sports car design. From its legendary ducktail to the unique sunroof that lets the sound of the mechanical fuel injection fill the cabin, this RS offers a multi-sensory experience that is unmatched in the air-cooled world. For the enthusiast who values authenticity and rare factory specifications above all else, chassis 9113601141 stands as a timeless monument to Porsche’s racing heart and touring soul.

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Source: rmsothebys.com