Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (F-series)

Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (F-series)

The 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is the car that defines Porsche's motorsport heritage on the road. Created to homologate the 911 for Group 4 Special GT racing, Porsche initially planned to build just 500 units — the minimum required. But demand was so overwhelming that production ultimately reached 1,580 cars, making it one of the most successful homologation specials ever.

The heart of the RS 2.7 was its enlarged flat-six engine, bored out to 2,687cc from the standard 2.4 liters. Fitted with mechanical Kugelfischer fuel injection, larger valves, and revised porting, it produced 210 horsepower at 6,300 rpm — a significant jump over the standard 911S's 190 hp. The engine was mated to a five-speed Type 915 gearbox with revised ratios.

Weight reduction was the car's defining characteristic. The Touring version used thinner glass and minimal sound insulation, while the Sport (Lightweight) version went further with fiberglass panels, thinner steel, and a stripped interior. The Sport tipped the scales at just 960 kg. Both versions wore the iconic ducktail rear spoiler, designed by engineer Tilman Brodbeck for rear-axle downforce at high speed.

The wider rear fenders housed 7-inch Fuchs alloy wheels with 215-section tires, giving the RS its distinctive muscular stance. The front suspension used MacPherson struts with torsion bars, while the rear featured Porsche's semi-trailing arm setup. Brakes were ventilated discs all round with aluminum calipers.

On the track, the RS 2.7 was devastating. It won the Targa Florio outright in 1973, along with countless GT races worldwide. On the road, it offered a rawness and directness of communication that no other road-going Porsche had provided. The lightweight body, rev-happy engine, and precise steering created an experience that enthusiasts describe as transcendent.

Today, the RS 2.7 sits at the pinnacle of the Porsche collector market. Lightweight Sport versions have sold for over $1.5 million, while even Touring models command $700,000 or more. It is universally recognized as one of the greatest sports cars ever built.