www.QV500.com - Porsche 911 (1974 - 77) Part 5: 911 3.0 Carrera RS
 

911 3.0 Carrera RS chassis 9033		 To contest the Group 4 class of the World Manufacturers Championship, the FIA demanded at least 500 identical road cars be built, from which a competition version could be derived. Until 1972, Porsche had always considered production 911's the best way to homologate a racer. However, with sales of stock 911's well up in the thousands every year, it was entirely conceivable for the German marque to produce and sell a batch of 500 specially prepared cars that would provide a more extreme basis to begin from. In the end, so great was demand for the resultant 2.7 Carrera RS that the firm eventually sold more than 1500 within six months.
   

Once this initial homologation had been granted, manufacturers were then permitted to build batches of 50 evolution cars from which even more highly modified racers could be derived. This is where the 3-litre RS came in. Produced for just a few months over the winter of 1973/74, it would be the basis for Porsche's 1974 customer race programme, a homologation special to pave the way for an even hotter successor to the dominant 2.8 RSR. Based on G-series underpinnings, the 3.0 RS got reinforced rear trailing arms, thicker torsion bars, fully adjustable anti-roll bars, eight and nine-inch Fuchs five bolt wheels and cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs from the 917. The engine was a de-tuned version of the unit found in the 3.0 RSR, compression having been reduced from 10.3:1 to 9.8:1 while mechanical fuel injection was from the 2.7 RS. Designated Typ 911/77, 230bhp was on tap at 6200rpm, 20bhp up on the 2.7 RS that it effectively replaced. But although performance figures between the two models were eminently comparable, the 3.0 RS hitting 155mph and 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, the new car boasted bucketloads more torque. Much improved flexibility made it a formidable performer by any standards and even today, few cars can outperform a well driven '74 RS.
 

911 3.0 Carrera RS chassis 9033		 Outside, the G-series bodywork was fabricated from a mixture of lightweight steel and fibreglass, ultra thin glass having been used for the side and rear windows. Redesigned front and rear bumpers were fitted, the front apron's distinctive oil-cooling vent being flanked by circular brake ducts. All four wheelarches were subtly flared to accomodate the eight and nine-inch wide Fuchs forged alloy wheels, each set coming with colour-coded centres. Chrome glass surrounds, wing mirrors and windscreen wipers were deleted in favour of the more modern ‘Black Look’ effect, Porsche equipping most cars with two rear wings, one for road and the other for track use.
   
Many of the cabin appointments were sourced directly from the 2.7 of 1972 although the standard of trimming did vary slightly from car to car. While some were kitted out as almost pure racers, others were slightly more luxurious, chassis 9108 having been completed with electric windows, 9079 with a sunroof and 9027 with a full M472 Touring cockpit. Weight was typically between 900 and 920kg. Produced from late 1973, only 54 were built, all of which sold quickly despite Porsche's prohibitively high price. The RSR went on to dominate Group 4 and inevitably overshadowed its little brother when it came to racing, however, the RS raced competitively for the duration of the seventies. Homologated for Group 3 where its main opposition came from De Tomaso Pantera's and the odd Chevy, chassis 9031 was piloted to a fine 13th overall at the 1974 Le Mans 24 Hours, Pierre Mauroy, Anne-Charlotte Verney and Martine Renier having been the first Group 3 car across the line. Other highlights included a sixth overall and second in class for Angelo Pallavicini and Marco Vanoli in chassis 9033 on the 1975 Giro d'Italia. Its greatest hour came a year later when Raymond Tourol, Alain Cudini and Rene Boubet took sixth overall and first in class at the 1976 Le Mans 24 Hours with chassis 9034. Obvious success in such high profile events made the RS one of the last great GT road-racing cars.