Discussion
Had the good fortune to be able to drive a 2.7 RS this morning. It was recently subjected to a full restoration, although oddly the (former) owner had had it restored as a mish-mash of half touring and half light-weight spec (originally a touring).
The first 911 I ever drove was a 2.7 RS (18 years ago) and unfortunately I wasn't experienced enough with cars or 911s to make the most of it then. No such problems today of course!
What a fabulous car the 2.7RS is to drive. Does it deserve its near-mythical status? And the eye-watering prices being asked for them? I don't know. I do know that the feedback it gives you is wonderful. The unassisted steering is surprisingly light and you can feel the lack of weight: I used to own a 3.2 and that was nice but it tighter corners it needed muscling around. Not so with the RS. I was a bit concerned before the drive as broke my arm only six weeks ago and I was worried I might have difficulty with an unassisted steering but no problems at all.
At low speed the sound of the RS was nothing special but under full acceleration, and as the revs rose, the tone changed, got harder and angrier and was simply wonderful to hear.
This RS had a short shift fitted and it was very good, although not perfect. Overall the car would benefit from a bit f bedding in and tweaking (had only done 160 km since the restauration).
What surprises me is how quick the RS felt, given that is a 40-year old car and only as 210 bhp (hardly warm hatch by today's standards). It also had a surprising and very pleasant amount of low down power - I got to drive up a mountain road and it was immensely satisfying to drive hard into the corners, step on the brakes, quick blip of the throttle, whilst slipping it into second, before swinging the RS into the bend and getting on the gas to fire it out the other side. I could have carried on all day. Unfortunately the owner (not a good passenger), was not enjoying it quite so much!
The top two cars on my want list are the 2.7 RS and the F40. They share some commonalities: both quite basic, no electronic help and unassisted steering. However from there they diverge massively. As much as I want an F40 I can't imagine owning one and being able to keep my licence. I also wonder how it would cope with the set of back roads I prefer to drive on. On the other hand I could easily see myself buzzing around the Swiss countryside in an RS. Problem is that when I think of getting an RS the thought occurs that I could have an RS tribute car built to my own spec for about a third of the price, or for similar money one can buy a perfect 2.7 Carrera ( which probably gives 85% of the RS experience for a fraction of the outlay). Or a mildly tweaked 2.4S would offer much of the enjoyment.
Anyway, outcome of today's drive is that I want to own an early 911! Just need to decide which one and when....
The first 911 I ever drove was a 2.7 RS (18 years ago) and unfortunately I wasn't experienced enough with cars or 911s to make the most of it then. No such problems today of course!
What a fabulous car the 2.7RS is to drive. Does it deserve its near-mythical status? And the eye-watering prices being asked for them? I don't know. I do know that the feedback it gives you is wonderful. The unassisted steering is surprisingly light and you can feel the lack of weight: I used to own a 3.2 and that was nice but it tighter corners it needed muscling around. Not so with the RS. I was a bit concerned before the drive as broke my arm only six weeks ago and I was worried I might have difficulty with an unassisted steering but no problems at all.
At low speed the sound of the RS was nothing special but under full acceleration, and as the revs rose, the tone changed, got harder and angrier and was simply wonderful to hear.
This RS had a short shift fitted and it was very good, although not perfect. Overall the car would benefit from a bit f bedding in and tweaking (had only done 160 km since the restauration).
What surprises me is how quick the RS felt, given that is a 40-year old car and only as 210 bhp (hardly warm hatch by today's standards). It also had a surprising and very pleasant amount of low down power - I got to drive up a mountain road and it was immensely satisfying to drive hard into the corners, step on the brakes, quick blip of the throttle, whilst slipping it into second, before swinging the RS into the bend and getting on the gas to fire it out the other side. I could have carried on all day. Unfortunately the owner (not a good passenger), was not enjoying it quite so much!
The top two cars on my want list are the 2.7 RS and the F40. They share some commonalities: both quite basic, no electronic help and unassisted steering. However from there they diverge massively. As much as I want an F40 I can't imagine owning one and being able to keep my licence. I also wonder how it would cope with the set of back roads I prefer to drive on. On the other hand I could easily see myself buzzing around the Swiss countryside in an RS. Problem is that when I think of getting an RS the thought occurs that I could have an RS tribute car built to my own spec for about a third of the price, or for similar money one can buy a perfect 2.7 Carrera ( which probably gives 85% of the RS experience for a fraction of the outlay). Or a mildly tweaked 2.4S would offer much of the enjoyment.
Anyway, outcome of today's drive is that I want to own an early 911! Just need to decide which one and when....
seawise said:
there's a very good article in this months '911 & Porsche World' comparing a 2.7 RS lightweight with my 2.7 RS Touring - Adam Towler sums up the driving experience nicely.
This:'The greatest joy of the RS is that it can entertain you in every 10mph increment from 0-80mph, not simply over the latter figure-and that includes at a standstill even.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that compared with the overwhelming majority of modern performance cars, thr RS has more excitement in it's spindly indicator stalk than they can muster flat out'.
Good article.
Robbo66 said:
This:
'The greatest joy of the RS is that it can entertain you in every 10mph increment from 0-80mph, not simply over the latter figure-and that includes at a standstill even.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that compared with the overwhelming majority of modern performance cars, thr RS has more excitement in it's spindly indicator stalk than they can muster flat out'.
Good article.
yes, Adam is a thoroughly nice chap too, was very respectful with the car but still drove it hard enough to get a proper feel. hopefully if i get a spare hour this weekend i might be able to take it for a drive too !'The greatest joy of the RS is that it can entertain you in every 10mph increment from 0-80mph, not simply over the latter figure-and that includes at a standstill even.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that compared with the overwhelming majority of modern performance cars, thr RS has more excitement in it's spindly indicator stalk than they can muster flat out'.
Good article.
That is an accurate assessment of the RS.
The 'short shift' doesn't really help the 915 box. Some prefer less gate, but it's usually best not hurried. Always found the change better in the lhd rather than rhd RSs.
Most RSs that have had an engine rebuild and MFI overhaul by a respected specialist will show 220 bhp or more on the dyno.
The 'feel' of these cars is all to do with the power:weight advantage.
At first they can feel a bit dated, but within a few miles and as confidence grows, it's like little else, wonderful cars.
The 'short shift' doesn't really help the 915 box. Some prefer less gate, but it's usually best not hurried. Always found the change better in the lhd rather than rhd RSs.
Most RSs that have had an engine rebuild and MFI overhaul by a respected specialist will show 220 bhp or more on the dyno.
The 'feel' of these cars is all to do with the power:weight advantage.
At first they can feel a bit dated, but within a few miles and as confidence grows, it's like little else, wonderful cars.
My old man had a 2.7 RS for about 15 years and I was lucky enough to drive it on many of the tracks up and down the UK. Its drives in many ways not to disimilar to my 993 but the one thing that you really can tell is the weight. Its so much more alive on the move. I found the car tended to understeer more as well which was probably due to the lack of weight over the front compared to the 993. If I had the money I'd jump at the chance to buy it back. Its currently up for sale at Paul Stephens and I can only assume he wants quite a lot for it seeing as its still not sold after 2 months.
Bought mine about 8 years ago one of the 7/8 rhd lightweights I think there were only 7 !!
Bought mine as a bit or of a wreck drove it for a year then had it restored by Porsche (£86k later) massive mistake !!
Fantastic job but I ended up with a perfect car that I would never use
Was chased by several buyers, 2 for over 3 years whilst the restoration took place.
In the end sold it as it was finished never drove it again.
Very heart breaking but the profit will probably pay for my motoring for the next 15-20 years
Phib
Bought mine as a bit or of a wreck drove it for a year then had it restored by Porsche (£86k later) massive mistake !!
Fantastic job but I ended up with a perfect car that I would never use
Was chased by several buyers, 2 for over 3 years whilst the restoration took place.
In the end sold it as it was finished never drove it again.
Very heart breaking but the profit will probably pay for my motoring for the next 15-20 years
Phib
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