When Porsche unveiled the RS in 1972, the sales department was so sceptical about its commercial potential that management was required to order a car themselves. Sales staff even visited existing 911 S customers personally to convince them to buy one. At the Paris Motor Show in October 1972, only 51 orders were placed initially. Within a week of the show, however, all 500 planned examples had been sold. In the end, Porsche built 1,580 Carrera RS models.
When production of the RS ended in 1973, Porsche carried its engine directly into the new 2.7 MFI. It featured the very same 2.7-litre air-cooled flat-six (Type 911/83) with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, producing 210 horsepower and weighing an identical 1,075 kg, now housed in the new G-Series body with impact bumpers.
Due to increasingly stringent emissions regulations, the North American market received a detuned version equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. European cars retained the full Carrera RS engine, making the 2.7 MFI the only true successor to the RS for European enthusiasts. The MFI also became the last road-going Porsche ever fitted with mechanical fuel injection before the system lived on exclusively in the company's racing cars.
The example offered here was originally delivered new in Verona, Italy, where it remained with three Italian owners before being acquired by its current Belgian owner, who has cherished it for more than fifteen years. Built in November 1973, it was delivered shortly afterwards to its first owner in Italy and has clearly benefited from careful ownership throughout its life.
In 2019, both the engine and gearbox were comprehensively rebuilt, leaving the car in excellent mechanical condition and ready to be enjoyed immediately.
A wonderfully desirable European-market 911 2.7 MFI, offering what is the closest driving experience to a Carrera RS.
