1984 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera (2.7 RS Homage)

Porsche revived the Carrera name for its luxuriously equipped, top of the range 911 in 1973. Designated Carrera RS (RennSport), the newcomer was intended as a limited-edition product for 'Group 4' GT racing, a class that required a minimum of 500 built. However, the resulting demand for this fabulous car proved so great that the production run was later extended by 1,300 or so units. Based on a lightened 911 S platform, the Carrera RS featured revised suspension and wider rear wheels (beneath flared arches) for improved handling, while the 2.7-litre, fuel-injected, air-cooled six-cylinder engine’s 210bhp boosted top speed to around 150mph. Not merely a styling gimmick, the Carrera’s trademark 'duck’s tail' spoiler made a vital contribution to high speed stability, a virtue of increasing importance as power outputs continued to rise. Rare and highly sought after, original examples of the 1973 RS are now very expensive, a state of affairs that has inspired many a Porsche enthusiast to create replicas of what was one of the defining sports cars of its era.

On offer here is an excellent Homage to the legendary 2.7RS. Using a 1985 3.2 right-hand drive Carrera as a basis, Cavendish Independent Porsche Specialists, built this car in 2020 to 2.7RS spec, using it as a show car to promote their business. There are bills for over £50,000 on parts alone in the history file, before labour and the donor car.

The 3.2 engine was retained, and the spec is very impressive. There is far too much to list here but the car is accompanied by an impressive file that details the ‘bits’ used when building the car and the results are clear to see. Pleasingly, a lot of the service history, pre the restoration, is also there, along with the original books and wallets.

The appropriate registration number, ‘RSR 645,’ is generously included in the sale by the private enthusiast vendor. He reports that the car drives really well, is especially easy in traffic, and is absolutely ready to be driven away from the auction by the new lucky owner.

This is very cool 911 which offers the comfort factor of having been built by a very well respected specialist in the 911 world and seems superb value for money when you consider what the cost to replicate would be today.