A double handful of desirable air-cooled Porsche 911s will highlight RM Sotheby’s 11th annual London sale on September 6 at Battersea Evolution in the central city. Among the top offerings will be a 1996 Porsche 911 GT2, one of the 161 original road-going GT2s that were sold to the public, this one delivered new in Germany. There the black over black machine remained for nearly two decades with its original private owner, covering just over 18,000 kilometers, before recently coming to the UK.
“In recent years, the best of ’90s air-cooled 911s have caught the eyes of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, none more so than the 993-generation 911 GT2,” says RM Sotheby car specialist Paul Darvill. “The original 911 GT2 was built by Porsche to meet homologation requirements for GT2 racing regulations. Created as a rear-wheel-drive racing variant of the all-wheel-drive 993 911 Turbo, it used the Turbo’s 3.6-liter engine with an extra turbo bolted on for good measure. Thanks to low build numbers and motorsport heritage, the GT2 has become one of the most desirable modern Porsches in today’s collectible market.”
Perhaps most noteworthy, however, is an example of the model that started the entire RS phenomenon, a 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Lightweight (above, Jack Passey photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s). One of 17 right-hand-drive Lightweight models produced, and the last ever imported to the UK, it enjoys a remarkable racing history. Chassis no. 9113601501 is believed to be the most successful Porsche 2.7 RS ever made, being rallied extensively in period and finishing as the highest placed RS in the 1973 RAC Rally.
Also crossing the block will be one of the most original examples of a 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR. Presented in its period livery, this race-only variant is based on the 993 RS and is one of just 30 examples built for 1997. Considering its pedigree, the RSR is astonishingly complete, with its original engine, panels and gearbox still intact. The car’s notable U.S. period competition history with Alex Job Racing includes two outings in both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Additional highlights from the ’70s and the ’90s include:
A regularly serviced, 23,000-mile 1998 Porsche 911 Turbo S, one of just 26 right-hand-drive 993 Turbo S models made for the UK market; the first of two 964 RS examples in the sale, a highly original standard “lightweight-spec” 1992 Porsche 911 RS in Guards Red with less than 26,000 kilometers from new; the second, a Maritime Blue 1992 Porsche 911 RS, was delivered new in Germany and imported to the UK in 2000 and, following a full engine rebuild, is ready to return to the road; a 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo that has had just two owners from new, the first of whom was the Sultan of Brunei. The Arena Red Turbo was recently repatriated to the UK by its second and current owner, and heads to auction a mere 2,133 miles from new with its matching-numbers engine rebuilt; another car originally owned by the Sultan, a 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6, is one of just 159 right-hand-drive examples built. It has covered only 1,700 miles from new, and is offered following extensive reconditioning; and a 1971 Porsche 911 E delivered new to racing driver John Fitzpatrick. Offered for sale for the first time since 1972, this desirable Conda Green right-hand-drive 911 E is presented in remarkably original condition.
More than 70 blue-chip motorcars will cross the podium at the sale, held in partnership with the Concours of Elegance, which, this year returns to the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. For further information, or to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit www.rmsothebys.com
