The Real Deal... 2.7 RS OMG!!!
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I just have to add this. I realize that a lot of you don’t know all that much about the older 911s. In the case of the original 911 RS cars, the plot is thick and complicated.
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 333
From: Planet GT3
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I just have to add this. I realize that a lot of you don’t know all that much about the older 911s. In the case of the original 911 RS cars, the plot is thick and complicated.
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 96
From: Oregon
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Well Said JR.
Not too many people are aware of the unique history of the early RS cars. Mine has the holes in the doors from the light weight door panels and the holes under the deck lid for the tie down straps for the duck tail. For some reason my car has retained the light weight glass. I thought the glass was swapped out in a touring car. You can feel the thinner gage metal on the roof and fenders.
Thanks again for the detailed description of a wonderful period in Porsche History.
Not too many people are aware of the unique history of the early RS cars. Mine has the holes in the doors from the light weight door panels and the holes under the deck lid for the tie down straps for the duck tail. For some reason my car has retained the light weight glass. I thought the glass was swapped out in a touring car. You can feel the thinner gage metal on the roof and fenders.
Thanks again for the detailed description of a wonderful period in Porsche History.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 96
From: Oregon
Rep Power: 24
CGT on the way??? All I need is 36 home sites to sell, 5 more tenants to pay over market rents and no rain for the next 30 day's ( in Oregon ) and the CGT will become a reality. I hope I have better luck reaching my goals than your Cal Football team....
Better luck next year. ( thanks for you encouraging pre game vioce mail. It's too bad we could not enjoy the game together, I would have loved to see first hand the look on your face when your QB decided to scrample from the 20 and run out the clock, when all he had to do was through the ball away and kick a FG for the tie . priceless... Do you blame the coach, the QB or the lack of respect for the Beavers..... Hard call.)
Go Beavs.....
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,388
From: Chicago, IL
Rep Power: 87
I just have to add this. I realize that a lot of you don’t know all that much about the older 911s. In the case of the original 911 RS cars, the plot is thick and complicated.
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
For example, "everyone" seems to think a "Genuine Factory Lightweight" is a lot more desirable than a "mere" Touring.......
Well, what most don't understand is that EVERY single one of the first 1000 1973 Carrera RS cars were first built as Lightweight cars and individually driven to the local TUV office and certified. They drove them back to the Factory where they finished each car to the customer order specification. If it was a basic lightweight, it was left alone. If it was a Touring they removed the Lightweight interior and such and added Touring trim.
Also, every one of the first 1035 Carrera RS cars were built with all of the varied lightweight body panels and glass. At 1035 they started running out of lightweight panels.
Late in the production run of 1590 cars, a customer could specify that they wanted a "Lightweight". and have what everyone considers to be the most desired RS, a Factory Lightweight, right? Well, every RS, as well as ever RSR, built after 1035 was based on the regular 911S chassis. Only the first handful of RS cars past 1035 had many lightweight components. The Factory simply used up their extra panels as they went along. Somewhere before 1200 they completely ran out of lightweight bits and they were entirely 911S chassis with the RS bits.
So if you bought a genuine RS Lightweight with a chassis number past 1035, it will not have all of the lightweight body panels. If it is after 1200 it won't have any. Therefore, it IS a Factory Lightwight... because the factory sold it to the end use customer as such, but it will NOT be nearly as exotic as any of the first 1035 RS cars as every single one of them have all the exotic lightweight body/glass bits. If Joe wanted to configure his early RS to lightweight specs I would argue that it is completely authentic, as it would have been driven to the TUV for registration and back to the Factory entirely in Lightweight trim prior to having the small changes to make it into a Touring. [whew].
I don't own an RS anymore but I still find this period fascinating as what the Factory said and what they did were two different things. Figuring all this out is almost as complex as deciphering old Ferraris. I think of an early RS as a genuine Lightweight, regardless of how it is trimmed. A late, heavy, RS with Factory Lightweight trim is a nice car also but it simply isn’t as exotic, nor as light, as any of the early ones.
JR
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You should know. You talked my wife into paying over 6 figures for the all original clone.... thanks again by the way......
CGT on the way??? All I need is 36 home sites to sell, 5 more tenants to pay over market rents and no rain for the next 30 day's ( in Oregon ) and the CGT will become a reality. I hope I have better luck reaching my goals than your Cal Football team....
Better luck next year. ( thanks for you encouraging pre game vioce mail. It's too bad we could not enjoy the game together, I would have loved to see first hand the look on your face when your QB decided to scrample from the 20 and run out the clock, when all he had to do was through the ball away and kick a FG for the tie . priceless... Do you blame the coach, the QB or the lack of respect for the Beavers..... Hard call.)
Go Beavs.....
CGT on the way??? All I need is 36 home sites to sell, 5 more tenants to pay over market rents and no rain for the next 30 day's ( in Oregon ) and the CGT will become a reality. I hope I have better luck reaching my goals than your Cal Football team....
Better luck next year. ( thanks for you encouraging pre game vioce mail. It's too bad we could not enjoy the game together, I would have loved to see first hand the look on your face when your QB decided to scrample from the 20 and run out the clock, when all he had to do was through the ball away and kick a FG for the tie . priceless... Do you blame the coach, the QB or the lack of respect for the Beavers..... Hard call.)
Go Beavs.....
Great cars guys, love the info on the history... anyone know the history of the one at Fantasy Junction? Wonder where it lies in the RS folklore.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 470
From: NCal
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Gents,
Sometimes I yap too much. Glad you enjoyed some of the RS history info. Actually, I barely touched on all the details. Not just the RS cars but a lot of the older cars are fascinating, mainly because Porsche always put the word out as a very final decree. For a long time most of us didn't know better.
Joe, your car is 100% correct with the lightweight glass. It also has numerous other small bits so that if you configured it as a lightweight, it would all fit 100% correct. After all, it WAS configured that way when it very first drove out the Factory gates!
The FJ car? Nice car, actually. However, there is a small tag on the windshield indicting it is original. I don't see how you can say original when it has had a color change, partial lightweight configuration, and an engine swap. If it weren't for that, I would have no problem with the car [tho anyone serious about an RS must pull carpets everywhere and do a thorough top/bottom/inside inspection for rust/damage as a great RS cars were used VERY hard during the long period when they were just used cars but nice for racing and rallying. I personally looked it over and state this, with the exception of a potential buyer who informed me of the different engine. I believe it is a correct 911/53 powerplant. Again, remove that little "original" tag and the other things don't bother me.... well, except the price. .. but I am waiting for a big market collapse and perhaps it isn't going to happen as in the past, at least not so far. These type cars have indeed become world market commodities and our high prices are deeply discounted when bought in many other countries.
Godspeed all
JR
Sometimes I yap too much. Glad you enjoyed some of the RS history info. Actually, I barely touched on all the details. Not just the RS cars but a lot of the older cars are fascinating, mainly because Porsche always put the word out as a very final decree. For a long time most of us didn't know better.
Joe, your car is 100% correct with the lightweight glass. It also has numerous other small bits so that if you configured it as a lightweight, it would all fit 100% correct. After all, it WAS configured that way when it very first drove out the Factory gates!
The FJ car? Nice car, actually. However, there is a small tag on the windshield indicting it is original. I don't see how you can say original when it has had a color change, partial lightweight configuration, and an engine swap. If it weren't for that, I would have no problem with the car [tho anyone serious about an RS must pull carpets everywhere and do a thorough top/bottom/inside inspection for rust/damage as a great RS cars were used VERY hard during the long period when they were just used cars but nice for racing and rallying. I personally looked it over and state this, with the exception of a potential buyer who informed me of the different engine. I believe it is a correct 911/53 powerplant. Again, remove that little "original" tag and the other things don't bother me.... well, except the price. .. but I am waiting for a big market collapse and perhaps it isn't going to happen as in the past, at least not so far. These type cars have indeed become world market commodities and our high prices are deeply discounted when bought in many other countries.
Godspeed all
JR
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 470
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Note: Brain malfunction error. I MEANT to state that I believe it to have a correct 911/83 engine, not 911/53. The 53 number sticks in my brain for reasons that no one else here would care about. 911/83 are the magic numbers. arrrgh.
JR
JR
