PORSCHE FEATURE>> 1973 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS - Speedhunters

Speedhunters: International Car Culture

The Carrera RS's engine was one reason for the car's big appeal. It was a specially bored out version of the 911's normal 2.4 liter flat six engine; the RS's engine used bigger bore pistons (standard size was 84mm, compared to the RS's 90mm bore size), which increased the displacement from 2.4 to 2.7 liters. The engine's cylinders were also specially coated with Nikasil, which somehow reduced the friction inside the cylinders.

The Carrera RS was also built lighter than the other normal 911s. Porsche lightened the body a lot by using thinner gauge body steel when producing the RS - in fact, the RS model was about 300lbs lighter than a normal Carrera S. The suspension was also tuned for a stiffer, sportier feel by using bigger sway bars, higher pressure Bilstein gas shocks, and "wider wheels." (Even though their idea of wider wheels back then was widening the rear wheels from 5 inches wide to 6 inches wide... not wide at all by today's standards, but apparently it was a big deal back then. Personally, I would have wanted them to stick an 8J wheel on it.)

I really liked the RS "ducktail" spoiler, which is molded into the rear engine cover. It reminds me of an AE86 with a TRD rear wing... damn, I guess everything reminds me of AE86s; I must have problems! Anyway, the Porsche RS's rear ducktail increased the downforce on the car quite a bit, so it's not just an aesthetic modification. I was told that the rear fenders were also flared out more than the standard Carrera S fenders to accomodate the "wider" 6 inch wheels, and a small chin spoiler was also added underneath the front bumper.

The inside of the RS was very clean and sparse - no frills, just business. It featured old school cloth-covered bucket seats, and very plain looking doorpanels; they looked like flat vinyl, with only leather straps to hold on to when you're shutting the doors. In Leipzig, I saw an OEM 1973 Porsche steering wheel for the first time; all the RS clones I've seen in the USA have Momo Prototipo 350mm steering wheels. (Most of these guys have black Prototipos, as the silver version is apparently a rare commodity, from what I was told. Imagine their surprise when I told them I use a silver 350mm Prototipo on my AE86 as my "everyday beater" wheel, so my vintage TRD and RS Watanabe steering wheels don't get all worn down.

Taking hot laps around Leipzig with Manu, one of Porsche's test drivers, was pretty fun! Honestly, even sitting in an authentic RS is a special experience... but pulling a perfect original 1973 Carrera RS out of the Porsche museum, and then rocking it hard on the race track... that's a whole other thing entirely.
Special thanks go out to everyone at Porsche for inviting us, and everyone else who made this trip so unforgettable. This trip definitely turned this hardcore vintage Toyota collector into a Porsche fan. No doubt.
-Antonio Alvendia