1974 Porsche 911RS 3.0 (Significant Le Mans and Tour De France History) SOLD

SOLD

In the year 1974, Porsche produced a total of 109 Carrera 3.0. From the total number of units produced, only 54 cars were built to ‘RS’ specification while the remaining 55 where finished as ‘RSR’ race cars.  The chassis numbers started with 9114609017 through 9114609121 while the engine serial numbers began with number 6840001.

The next evolution was to see Porsche achieve not just success but dominance in 3-litre GT and Touring class racing. Developed directly from Porsche’s experience with the modified Carrera that won the 1973 Targa Florio, Porsche achieved 2,993cc displacement by increasing the cylinder bore to 95mm, still retaining the 70.4mm stroke used since 1970. With 9.8:1 compression ratio it produced 230hp at 6,200 rpm and 204 lb-ft torque at 5,000 rpm. The body owed much to the Porsches built for the International Race of Champions series organized by Roger Penske.

Inside 15″ diameter wheels were cross-drilled and ventilated brakes taken from the fabulous Porsche 917 sports-racer with a balance bar to adjust the front-rear braking pressure. The body’s luggage and engine cover and bumpers were lightweight fibreglass, incorporating brake cooling ducts and provisions for an oil cooler in the front ‘bumper’ and air dam. Thin gauge steel was used in the roof and door panels. Soundproofing was strategically neglected in pursuance of light weight. Other developments included a wide ‘tea tray’ rear spoiler that nearly eliminated rear lift at high speeds, revised suspension with wider mountings and other suspension features that nearly eliminated camber change in roll. The transmission had its own oil pump and cooler.

Tested for Road & Track magazine’s October 1974 issue, Paul Frère noted “perhaps the most endearing feature of the Carrera RS [3.0] is its air of thoroughness, quality and perfect workmanship, even in this lightweight version.” Only its full-race counterpart, the 911 RSR 3.0 Carrera, challenged the performance, handling, comfort, reliability and satisfaction of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 for the title of the ultimate naturally aspirated 911 as following generations of 911-based competition GTs would rely on turbocharging for maximum performance.

Porsche built just fifty-five 911 Carrera RS 3.0s. Most of them served their original buyers well in Group 3 competition and only a few found their way to first owners who used them as some of the most explosive, exhilarating road cars ever built.