1973 Porsche 911

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys Paris event, 4 - 5 February 2025.
Offered Without Reserve 900,000 - 1,200,000 EUR

• One of only 200 examples of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight built by Porsche
• Delivered new to Italy and specified with a desirable limited-slip differential
• Wonderful period competition history includes participation in the 1979 Targa Florio
• 1979 Italian National Rally Champion with a win at the Rally dei Vini
• Presented in its original colours of Grand Prix White with Blue script and wheels over a Black interior
• An ideal entrant for many historic events including the Tour Auto and Modena Cento Ore

Despite the model being the genesis of Porsches legendary Rennsport RS dynasty, only a handful of examples of the 200-strong Lightweight production run truly established its namesake. Chassis 9113600573 is one of these cars which competed in major events. Delivered new to Verona, Italy, on 14 February 1973, this 911 was clearly ordered with competition in mind as it was specified with a limited-slip differential as well as the famous M471 option code for Sport , now better known as Lightweight .

Its first owner, Vittorio Benvenuti, registered the car in Treviso and made his competition debut with this RS at the Vittorio Veneto-Cansiglio hill climb held on 27 May 1973. Resplendent in Grand Prix White with Blue side script and wheels, along with a black interior, Benvenuti started as he meant to continue by winning the Group 4 Oltre 2000 cc class. Benvenuti is then believed to have competed at Trento Bondone with this RS entered by Piave Jolly Club.

According to its estratto cronologico, it then passed to Alberto Don via Filiberto Vannini. Don appeared to prefer red over blue so accordingly changed the side script. Don would compete in northern Italian events, particularly circuit races and Italian rounds of the European Hillclimb Championship. In the autumn of 1978, Don lent his beloved Porsche to talented brothers Federico and Michele Cane of Scuderia Novolan for use in the prestigious Italian Rally Championship. Federico Cane, with co-driver Gaetano Orlando, made his debut with this RS at the 1978 Rally Due Valli finishing 7th overall (4th in class). The Cane/Orlando duo then won the Group 3 category (4th overall) of the Rally 100.000 Trabucchi, before retiring from the Rally Internazionale Della Lana. Federico rallied with this RS a week later in the Rally 333 Minuti Trofeo Villa DEste.

In early 1979, this RS was used by Michele Cane and Renzo Melani for the 63rd edition of the Targa Florio, an event which had been the scene of the 911s greatest victory in 1973. Despite Micheles talents, retirement beckoned. It was then used for the Rally Citt di Modena (result unknown) before entering the prestigious Rally Mille Miglia (with start number 1 ), where it retired. This wonderful RS entered its final event, the Rally dei Vini, which it won overall and took Group 3 honours as well this victory would prove pivotal to Federico Cane becoming the Italian National Rally Champion. Federico moved on to rallying a Fiat 131 Abarth but took ownership of the RS on 5 May 1979.

This historic RS remained in Italy until 1990, then in 1999 joined the stable of Gilles Bochand in France, before being acquired by The Curated Collection at the end of 2013. Thereafter, it has been maintained by a Porsche specialist and professionally stored for much of this time. Currently in delivery specification, this incredible Carrera RS is as pure a driving experience as any 911 enthusiast can get, while being the perfect car for tours and competitive rallies such as the Tour Auto and Modena Cento Ore.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa25/.