A deal was brokered for Canadian Industrialist Chuck Rathgeb of the Comstock Racing Division, to rent the 2.7 RS, and go on an adventure to Sicily to compete in the 1973 Targa Florio. Margulies was already experienced on the 72km mountain road circuit, competing there in a C-Type Jaguar in 1956 and then in various 911 S and T/R in 1967, 1969 and 1971. Given his previous experience, he was listed as third driver, and so on 2nd May 1973 they set off in the RS by road to Sicily in search of World Championship points.
During the prior training days at the event, Rathgeb soon realised he was not going to be able to learn the circuit sufficiently, despite being an accomplished all-round sportsman. He was at various times a member of the Commonwealth Cricket Team, mountain climber, member of the Canadian Marlin and Tuna Teams, Offshore Power Boat Racer, Cresta Rider, World Cup Bobsledder, accomplished hot air balloonist, (Trans Canada, Trans Alpine), a glider pilot and a jet pilot, setting a world record Atlantic crossing in a Canadian CL41 jet. For the race, Dan Margulies and Andrew Hedges shared the car alone in front of700.000 Sicilians, who admittedly were more concerned with the all important presence of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. However, after 792kms it would be the Martini Racing Porsche Carrera RSR (R6) of Müller and van Lennep to emerge as the race winner, with car no 110 of Hedges and Margulies finishing not far behind, in a hugely creditable 18th overall from 115 starters.
Chassis #0446 went onto achieve further competition success in the hands of Derek and Adrian Boyd in many Irish rallies throughout the remainder of the 1970s, including multiple Circuit of Ireland, Ulster International, Isle of Man (Manx), Cork, Galway and Donegal rallies.
Competition History: PGF 270L
1973
Targa Florio – Dan Margulies & Andrew Hedges
18th
1975
Circuit of Ireland – Reggie McSpadden
Texaco rally, Sparne – Reggie McSpadden
Donegal rally – Reggie McSpadden
1976
Ulster International – Adrian Boyd
4th
Isle of Man (Manx) – Derek Boyd
12th
1977
Galway rally -Derek Boyd
8th
Circuit of Ireland – Derek Boyd
DNF (Took ill and had to withdraw)
Donegal rally – Derek Boyd
3rd
Ulster International – Derek Boyd
1st
Manx rally – Derek Boyd
4th
Cork rally – Derek Boyd
DNF (crashed on bend)
1978
Galway rally – Derek Boyd
DNF (Steering)
Aghadowey rally – Derek Boyd
Circuit of Ireland – Derek Boyd
DNF (Crashed Sunday run)
Donegal rally – Derek Boyd
DNF
Ownership history / Provenance:
1973
Dan Margulies
1975
Sold by Peter Lovett (Lovetts, Swindon) to Reggie McSpadden (Director, Issac Agnew Porsche, Ireland)
1976
Sold to Esler Crawford (sponsor to) Derek and Adrian Boyd – Rally drivers
1995
Restored by Francis Tuthill (documented and photographed on file)
2007
Sold by Esler Crawford to Mike Burtt (UK)
2022
Sold to current owner (UK)
Arguably the most famous of all Carrera RS, #446 is an early production Sport ‘lightweight’ and one of only 17 RHD RS Lightweights built, with outstanding provenance and the most significant competition history of all – Targa Florio.
The car then remained in the continuous ownership of noted rally photographer, Esler Crawford from 1976 to 2007. Despite just 45,000 miles being recorded, following its working life, the car was restored and fully rebuilt for Crawford in 1998 by Porsche rally specialists Tuthill.
It was then owned between 2007 and 2022 by BRDC member and Porsche aficionado, Mike Burtt (UK). Accompanied by an extensive history file, including the original AFN invoice, Targa Florio entrants paperwork, maintenance books and wallet. A unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of all 2.7 Carrera RS Lightweight examples, with outstanding provenance and arguably the most significant competition history of all.
