A particularly fascinating Porsche 911 race automobile went up on the market at an occasion coinciding with this previous weekend’s 2023 Goodwood Revival.
Listed by Bonhams, the automobile in query is a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, one of the iconic 911 race vehicles. It was supplied through non-public sale so the outcomes of the transaction are unknown. Bonhams has confirmed that the automobile did promote.
Generally known as R7, it is believed to be certainly one of simply three factory-backed examples surviving in the present day. The spotlight of its racing profession was fourth place on the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans—one of the best end for an RSR on the French endurance race.
Whereas nonetheless recognizably a 911, the RSR was closely modified with widened fenders, a big rear spoiler nicknamed the Mary Stuart (after the Scottish monarch’s signature collar), and an uprated 3.0-liter flat-6 engine. The modifications have been in depth sufficient that the RSR was categorised as a prototype for the 1973 Le Mans race, in keeping with the public sale itemizing, which meant it competed towards devoted sports activities racers somewhat than production-based vehicles, making its end all of the extra spectacular.
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR (picture through Bonhams)
Pushed by Herbie Müller and Gijs van Lennep, and carrying the traditional Martini racing livery, the automobile completed behind solely a trio of prototypes from Matra-Simca (in first and third) and Ferrari (second). The automobile completed out the season with the manufacturing unit crew with races on the Österreichring and Watkins Glen.
R7 was then bought to Mexican race crew proprietor Hector Rebaque, who introduced it again to Le Mans in 1974, although it failed to complete that yr on account of ignition issues. In 1977, R7 was bought to Italian collector Massimo Balliva, who stored it hidden for nearly 30 years. This led to rumors that R7 had been wrecked and parted out below Rebaque’s possession.
Balliva ended up sending R7 to France for a restoration round 2009 or 2010. He then bought the automobile to a U.S. collector. R7 then turned the topic of a authorized battle in U.S. courts over its identification, as one other proprietor claimed a distinct automobile was the actual R7. Porsche engineer and crew supervisor Norbert Singer was introduced in to determine the real article.
With its identification confirmed, Bonhams anticipated R7 to promote for between 3.7 million and 5.7 million British kilos—about $4.6 million to $7.1 million at present trade charges. Even when it reached the upper estimate, it would not be the costliest Porsche bought lately. A 1970 917K prototype racer used within the Steve McQueen film « Le Mans » sold for $14 million at a 2017 public sale.
