One to Buy: ex-Dominique Thiry 1973 Porsche 911 2.8 Carrera RSR
The only reason Porsche created the fabled 2.7-litre 911 Carrera RS was to pave the way for this car to go racing in 1973: the 911 2.8 Carrera RSR.
In addition to its bigger engine (308bhp compared to 210bhp), the RSR came with uprated brakes, suspension and wheels, improved cooling and dramatically widened fenders.
55 were sold to privateer teams and another small batch were retained for use by Porsche’s works-assisted Martini, Penske and Brumos teams.
Perhaps most famously, the RSR scored two outright victories in the 1973 World Sportscar Championship; against a field of purpose-built Prototype Brumos won the Daytona 24 Hours and Martini repeated the feat with victory on the Targa Florio.
Of the 55 customer RSRs constructed by Porsche, only one was painted Dalmation Blue.
That car, chassis 9113600791, is currently on offer at the Mechatronik showroom in Pleidelsheim, just north of Stuttgart.
Its first owner was Dominique Thiry of Strasbourg who successfully ran ‘0791’ in a mixture of events during 1973 collecting wins at Vosges and Dijon.
It then went through the hands of a couple more French owners (one of whom raced it at the 1975 Le Mans 24 Hours) and is today presented in stunning restored condition complete with German road registration.
Reprinted below is Mechatronik’s description for this sensational 1973 911 RSR:
The only factory-delivered RSR in the color sea blue
One of fewer than 55 2.8 RSR built
Successful racing history including Le Mans
1st place (overall) Vosges race 1973
1st place (overall) 4h of Dijon 1973
1st place (overall) Ronde de la Baule 1974
10th (Group 4) Le Mans 1974
Fully restored and ready to use
Incl. extensive reports
FIA certified
German street legal
Price: €2,095,000
The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR
In October 1972, the Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS was presented at the Paris Motor Show. The primary goal of the new variant was homologation for motorsport, as the 911 2.4 S, which had been the most powerful up to that point, was no longer able to compete with the competitors' touring cars with larger displacements.
At that time, Group 4 required a minimum of 500 copies for homologation in the regulations, which were to be sold with only a small surcharge for the most powerful model in the regular model range to date, the 911 S 2.4, in order to achieve FIA approval. However, the initially planned edition of 500 pieces was quickly sold. Therefore, production was continued and increased to 1,000 pieces, which then also made homologation in group 3 possible.
The designation "Porsche 911 Carrera 2. 7 RS" consists of "Carrera", which has been used since the Porsche 356 as a supplement for particularly sporty road models, as well as "RS" for "racing" and 2.7 for the displacement of the engine. The Carrera RS was Germany's fastest production car at the time. The hallmark and status symbol of the Carrera RS was the rear spoiler, the so-called "ducktail", which in driving tests increased the top speed by 10 km/h compared to the version without spoilers and ensured driving stability /70 VR 15 h: 215/60 VR15). In order to accommodate the wider tires under the body, the rear fenders were flared and widened. In addition, the side, a normal Porsche emblem and normal door handles. The bumpers known from the 911 S were also fitted. The touring version cost 36,500 DM, approx. 1,280-1,308 units were produced (deviations in the literature).
The conversion to a racing car (RSR / M491) cost around 25,000 DM extra. In return you received a 911 2.8 RSR according to Group 4 regulations with 2.8 liters displacement and 300 hp, which was again competitive against the Ford Capri and BMW Coupe touring cars with more horsepower and displacement. Only 55 RSR were built in total. 8 RSR according to Group 4 regulations with a displacement of 2.8 liters and 300 hp, which was again competitive against the Ford Capri and BMW Coupe touring cars with more horsepower and displacement.
Only 55 RSR were built in total. 8 RSR according to Group 4 regulations with a displacement of 2.8 liters and 300 hp, which was again competitive against the Ford Capri and BMW Coupe touring cars with more horsepower and displacement. Only 55 RSR were built in total.
Chassis 9113600791 | No. 19/55
The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR offered here was built in March 1973 as the 19th of only 55 vehicles by the Porsche racing department and delivered to its first owner, Mr. Dominique Thiry in Straßbourg, in April. The license plate was 6203QX67.
Mr Thiry used the car extremely successfully in the 1973 season and was victorious in several races. In the spring and in wintry conditions on the "Circuit des Vosges", Thiry achieved overall victory with starting number 119. Another highlight of the 1973 season followed later in the year with the racing classic of the 4 Hours of Dijon. Chassis #791 was again driven by Dominque Thiry and Jacques Henry. Here, too, the car achieved an impressive overall victory. Four more races followed in 1973, in Monthléry, Remiremont, Turckheim and Urcy, which, however, could not be tied to the previous successes.
In 1974, chassis #791 was sold to the Frenchman Claude Pigeon from Rennes. He uses the car twice during the season. At the "Ronde de la Baule" with starting number 1, Pigeon triumphed with first place. At the race in Languille, Pigeon starts again, but has to drop out due to a technical defect.
In 1975, the meanwhile race-proven car changed hands again, but remained in France. Alain Leroux, the new owner, also has ambitious racing plans for chassis #791. On March 23, 1975, Leroux started with his second driver Joel Laplacette in the "2 heures de l'ACO" and achieved a respectable 4th place in group 4. This race should act as preparation for the highlight of every racing driver's career. Taking part in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
On June 25, 1975, chassis #791 took part in the ultimate endurance race. In addition to Alain Leroux and Joel Laplacette, the former owner Claude Pigeon, who was asked to start because of his experience on the car, is named as a driver. After 24 hours, the RSR successfully crossed the finish line in Group 4 in 10th position. A respectable result considering the strong, factory-backed competition.
In 1976, Alain Leroux sold chassis no. 791 to Mr. Pierre Renauld from Nancy / France, who also uses the car in numerous competitions, including the Tour de France. In the years that followed, the car was also used in numerous rallies. The car will be driven by the later European Rally Champion Yves Loubet, among others.
In 1989 the car was sold again in Paris and subsequently extensively restored according to delivery specifications. The current owner will have an FIA passport issued for the car in April 2020, which means that the car can now be registered for all historic motorsport events.
This fully operational 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR offers collectors with the highest demands the rare opportunity to be able to successfully use a unique Porsche with a successful racing past in the future.
