One to Buy: ex-Dan Margulies 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS
Following its introduction at the Paris Motor Show in September 1972, Porsche’s 911 2.7 Carrera RS became the quickest off-the-shelf road car for any aspiring competitor.
In M471 Sport trim (which accounted for just 200 of the more 1500 Renn Sports built) it was an even more potent proposition. Weighing in at 100kg less than the Comfort-equipped M472 Touring, the Sport’s substantial reduction made a dramatic difference when it came to the car’s power-to-weight ratio.
In order to create the lightest possible platform, the Sport came with an array of special equipment to include additional fibreglass instead of steel panels, thinner glass, minimal underseal, bucket seats, basic upholstery, manual windows, no rear seats and a long list of other weight-saving addenda.
Of the 200 M471 Sport-optioned cars built by Porsche, only 17 were completed to right-hand drive specification, a particularly famous example of which is currently on offer at the Maxted-Page showroom in Halstead, Essex.
Chassis 9113600446 was originally supplied to amateur racing driver and renowned classic car dealer, Dan Margulies in London. Together with Andrew Hedges, Margulies drove his Grand Prix White RS to an impressive 18th overall and fourth in class at the 1973 Targa Florio.
Margulies sold the RS in 1975, after which it went on to contest a number of rallies during the second half of the 1970s. During this period, it most famously took victory at the 1977 Ulster Rally.
In addition to its outstanding competition record, 9113600446 is is offered with an amazing history file that includes its original AFN invoice, Targa Florio entrant’s paperwork, maintenance books and wallet.
Reprinted below is Maxted-Page’s description:
Chassis # 911 360 0446
Ex Dan Marguiles & Andrew Hedges - 1973 Targa Florio
Price: £POA
On 9th February 1973, Dan Margulies, gentleman racer and doyen of London historic and classic car dealers took delivery from Porsche Cars Great Britain, of this 1973 Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS Sport (Lightweight) to British Specification - Reg no. PGF 270L.
A deal was brokered for Canadian Industrialist Chuck Rathgeb of the Comstock Racing Division, to rent the 2.7 RS, and go on an adventure to Sicily to compete in the 1973 Targa Florio. Margulies was already experienced on the 72km mountain road circuit, competing there in a C-Type Jaguar in 1956 and then in various 911 S and T/R in 1967, 1969 and 1971. Given his previous experience, he was listed as third driver, and so on 2nd May 1973 they set off in the RS by road to Sicily in search of World Championship points.
During the prior training days at the event, Rathgeb soon realised he was not going to be able to learn the circuit sufficiently, despite being an accomplished all-round sportsman. He was at various times a member of the Commonwealth Cricket Team, mountain climber, member of the Canadian Marlin and Tuna Teams, Offshore Power Boat Racer, Cresta Rider, World Cup Bobsledder, accomplished hot air balloonist, (Trans Canada, Trans Alpine), a glider pilot and a jet pilot, setting a world record Atlantic crossing in a Canadian CL41 jet.
For the race, Dan Margulies and Andrew Hedges shared the car alone in front of700.000 Sicilians, who admittedly were more concerned with the all important presence of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. However, after 792kms it would be the Martini Racing Porsche Carrera RSR (R6) of Müller and van Lennep to emerge as the race winner, with car no 110 of Hedges and Margulies finishing not far behind, in a hugely creditable 18th overall from 115 starters.
Chassis #0446 went onto achieve further competition success in the hands of Derek and Adrian Boyd in many Irish rallies throughout the remainder of the 1970s, including multiple Circuit of Ireland, Ulster International, Isle of Man (Manx), Cork, Galway and Donegal rallies.
Competition History: PGF 270L
1973 Targa Florio - Dan Margulies & Andrew Hedges 18th
1975 Circuit of Ireland - Reggie McSpadden
1975 Texaco rally, Sparne - Reggie McSpadden
1975 Donegal rally - Reggie McSpadden
1976 Ulster International - Adrian Boyd 4th
1976 Isle of Man (Manx) - Derek Boyd 12th
1977 Galway rally - Derek Boyd 8th
1977 Circuit of Ireland - Derek Boyd DNF (Took ill and had to withdraw)
1977 Donegal rally - Derek Boyd 3rd
1977 Ulster International - Derek Boyd 1st
1977 Manx rally - Derek Boyd 4th
1977 Cork rally - Derek Boyd DNF (crashed on bend)
1978 Galway rally - Derek Boyd DNF (Steering)
1978 Aghadowey rally - Derek Boyd
1978 Circuit of Ireland - Derek Boyd DNF (Crashed Sunday run)
1978 Donegal rally - Derek Boyd DNF
Ownership history / Provenance:
1973 Dan Margulies
1975 Sold by Peter Lovett (Lovetts, Swindon) to Reggie McSpadden (Director, Issac Agnew Porsche, Ireland)
1976 Sold to Esler Crawford (sponsor to) Derek and Adrian Boyd - Rally drivers
1995 Restored by Francis Tuthill (documented and photographed on file)
2007 Sold by Esler Crawford to Mike Burtt (UK)
2022 Sold to current owner (UK)
The car then remained in the continuous ownership of noted rally photographer, Esler Crawford from 1976 to 2007. Despite just 45,000 miles being recorded, following its working life, the car was restored and fully rebuilt for Crawford in 1998 by Porsche rally specialists Tuthill.
It was then owned between 2007 and 2022 by BRDC member and Porsche aficionado, Mike Burtt (UK). Accompanied by an extensive history file, including the original AFN invoice, Targa Florio entrants paperwork, maintenance books and wallet. A unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of all 2.7 Carrera RS Lightweight examples, with outstanding provenance and arguably the most significant competition history of all.
