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Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

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The origin of the myth · 1973

Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Buyer's Guide

The icon among 911s: originality, matching numbers, M471 vs M472, corrosion, history and market values. So you can tell the original from a clone.

Touring vs Sport Engineering & weak points Authenticity check Running costs Market values Conclusion & recommendation
The icon of 1973

The origin of the myth

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 counts as one of the most important icons in motoring history and, for many enthusiasts, is the very embodiment of sporting driving. Shown at the Paris motor show in 1972, it was conceived as a homologation model for motorsport, and combines everyday usability with uncompromising sporting ability in a unique way.

With its distinctive ducktail rear spoiler, its light body and its powerful 2.7-litre engine, the Carrera RS set the standard and laid the foundation for every RS model that followed. The letters RS stand for Rennsport, motorsport.

Originally planned as a limited run of 500 cars, high demand meant that a total of 1,580 cars were built. Those small numbers make it an extremely valuable rarity today.

210 PS

2.7-litre flat six, MFI

5.8 s

0 to 100 km/h

245 km/h

Top speed

1,580

Cars built

Touring vs Sport

The two faces of the RS 2.7

The differences in specification, weight and value are significant.

Touring version (M472)

Numbers: 1,308

  • Target buyer: customers looking for a comfortable sports car they could use every day
  • Weight: around 1,075 kg
  • Specification: the standard 911 S equipment (comfort seats, carpets, a clock, insulation)
  • Glass: standard glazing
  • Market: easier to find, but still extremely expensive

Sport / Lightweight (M471)

Numbers: 200

  • Target buyer: motorsport-minded customers and racing drivers (the basis for the RSR)
  • Weight: around 960 kg, so about 115 kg lighter
  • Lightweight construction: thinner body panels, thin glass (Glaverbel), no insulation
  • Interior: bucket seats, spartan door panels (pull straps), no glovebox, no rear seats
  • Value: a considerably higher collector value because of the extreme rarity

In addition there were 55 cars as the RSR (motorsport) and 17 prototypes. Important: both versions share the same 210 PS engine, and the differences in performance come purely from the weight.

Technical DNA

Specifications and weak points

Click the sections for the detailed analysis.

1. Engine and transmission (2.7 litres / 210 PS) +

Specifications:

  • Type: an air-cooled six-cylinder flat engine (type 911/83)
  • Displacement: 2,687 cc
  • Power: 210 PS at 6,300 rpm
  • Torque: 255 Nm at 5,100 rpm
  • Fuel system: Bosch mechanical fuel injection (MFI)
  • Gearbox: an uprated five-speed type 915
  • Top speed: 245 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds
Particularities and servicing: the mechanical injection (MFI) is complex, but very reliable when correctly maintained, and it gives an extremely direct throttle response. Setting it up calls for true specialists. The crankcase is magnesium (take care over corrosion and the head studs).
2. Body and exterior: the ducktail +

Features:

  • The ducktail rear spoiler, to reduce lift
  • Flared rear wings (for wider Fuchs wheels)
  • Carrera lettering along the sides
  • A modified front apron (for the oil cooler)

Corrosion and weak points: Corrosion is a serious problem that threatens the structure. The critical areas:

  • Wheel arches and headlight bowls
  • Sills (inside and out) and floor panels
  • The battery box and the area around the window seals
  • Engine mounts and suspension mounting points
A note on the M471: the Sport version used thinner panels, which makes it even more vulnerable to damage and corrosion.
3. Suspension and brakes: motorsport engineering +

The suspension was state of the art for its day and firmer than on the 911 S.

  • Components: Bilstein gas dampers, uprated anti-roll bars, revised geometry
  • Brakes: ventilated discs all round (derived from the 917 race car)
  • Wheels: Fuchs wheels, 6J x 15 (front) and 7J x 15 (rear)
  • Tyres: 185/70 VR 15 (front) / 215/60 VR 15 (rear)
4. Interior: comfort vs purism +

The specification varies enormously by version (M471/M472).

  • Touring (M472): comfort seats, carpets, a clock, a glovebox, occasional rear seats. As in the 911 S
  • Sport (M471): bucket seats (Recaro), felt instead of carpet, pull straps instead of door handles, no glovebox lid, no clock, no rear seats
Condition: the dashboards often crack. Originality is decisive (the right steering wheel, the correct seats). Later additions reduce the value.
5. Beware of replicas and forgeries: the authenticity checklist +

Given the extreme value, there are numerous conversions (clones) built on standard 911s. Here is how to recognise the original:

  • Chassis number (VIN): genuine RS 2.7s have specific number ranges (911360xxxx, for example)
  • Matching numbers: The engine and gearbox numbers MUST agree with the delivery record
  • Body details: the reinforcements at the rear seat wells and on the centre tunnel (for the belt mountings) are RS-specific
  • Panel thickness (M471): on the Sport version, the thin panels must be demonstrable
  • Documents: a certificate of authenticity from Porsche is indispensable
An expert is essential: NEVER buy an RS 2.7 without an appraisal from a recognised RS specialist. The forgeries are extremely good by now.
The Carrera RS 2.7 model bible

The complete knowledge: the Investor Dossier & Technical Compendium, in German

Concentrated expert knowledge on the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7: detailed weak points, criteria for authenticity, inspection checklists, the M471/M472 differences and a classification of prices.

€97

incl. VAT

To the compendium (German)
Asset management

Running costs

An RS 2.7 is costly to run and requires specialists.

Running costs

ItemEstimated costNote
Insurance (fully comprehensive)€3,000 - €6,000 a yearA valuation is required
Servicing / inspection€1,500 - €3,000 a yearWith regular use
Reserves for repairs€3,000 - €5,000 a yearRecommended
Garage rental (security)€1,200 - €4,800 a yearClimate-controlled is recommended
Valuation€500 - €1,000Renew every two to three years

Spare parts (examples)

ItemEstimated costNote
An original ducktailExtremely expensive / rareReproductions reduce the value
MFI pump (overhaul)€2,000 - €5,000+A specialist is needed
Thin glass (M471)Very rareOriginal parts are barely available
Market values, as at May 2025

Market values and investment conclusion

In the long term, prices know only one direction: up. Provenance and originality are what drive them.

VersionPriceNote
Touring (M472)€400,000 - €700,000Depending on history and condition
Sport / Lightweight (M471)€600,000 - €1,000,000+Extremely rare, enthusiast prices

History: in 2010 good cars still stood at around €200,000. The growth in value has been enormous.

The strengths

  • A blue-chip asset: driving pleasure and value retention in one
  • Small numbers (1,580 cars), an extremely coveted rarity
  • The foundation of every RS model that followed
  • MFI is very reliable when correctly maintained, with a direct throttle response

The risks

  • The risk of forgeries and clones is real
  • Corrosion threatens the structure; the M471 with its thin panels is particularly vulnerable
  • The magnesium crankcase: take care over corrosion and the head studs
  • Original parts (the ducktail, the thin glass) are barely available and expensive

The 911Finder buying strategy

Invest in quality. A cheap RS is usually a forgery or a money pit. Use our expert network for the inspection: An RS check (30 minutes) plus a document audit before you buy (chassis number, Kardex/certificate of authenticity, photographs, engine and gearbox numbers).

The next step

Buy this 911 with confidence, with 911Finder.

Request an RS check and document audit The RS 2.7 dossier Services & Pricing
Assessment Level 1 · remote

Digital Audit & Market Check

The listing, the paperwork and the price checked against real market data before you travel to view the car. A PDF dossier, usually within 24 h.

€199 incl. VAT · fixed price Assessment Level 2 · remote

Porsche 911 Purchase Advisory

Digital Audit plus follow-up questions, dealer answers, paperwork and a negotiating strategy, through to a clear buying decision.

€499 incl. VAT · audit included Assessment Level 3 · on site

Technical Due Diligence

A physical assessment where the car is: paint measurement, diagnostic readout, technical check, test drive and a negotiation brief.

from €790 incl. VAT · plus travel

Already own a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7? The Vehicle Documentation & Market Valuation puts the history, the paperwork and the market value of your car in order (€249 incl. VAT). Still looking? Then the right route is the Sourcing Enquire and name the model: Request a Digital Audit for a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7.