While so many replicas are backdated from later cars, particularly SCs and Carrera 3.2s, this car has been built from a right-hand drive 1973 2.4 E, which immediately elevates it to contemporary status. Not only that, but instead of following the heard by going down the lightweight route, it is refreshing to see this car has been built to M472 Touring specification, looking supremely understated in straight gloss black and sans decals too! A delete option in period.
The origins of this recreation’s original build are lost in time. However, what’s clear is that the conversion was carried out on an original right-hand drive unrecorded 911E Coupe by someone who had extensive knowledge of these early cars. Its comprehensive history file points to an interesting life and caring long-term owners – including Porsche driver legend, Nick Faure – and the last from 2005 to date. Mechanically over the years, it has been taken care of by the likes of Bob Watson and Autofarm.
Nothing lasts forever, and in 2012 it received a substantial restoration courtesy of Nick Moss at Early 911, including the correct RS wings front and rear. Having recently fully restored a genuine ’73 RS here at PS, we know just how expensive those genuine – hand formed – parts are today. The engine, gearbox and limited slip differential were also fully rebuilt, along with the rest of the running gear. There is a full photographic record of all work carried out.
Interior wise, the specification is period correct, with original sports Recaro seats (again, try getting a pair of those for sensible money today), trimmed in black, with houndstooth inserts, correct 180MPH speedo and rev counter. A nice finishing touch is the flat 917 inspired Prototipo steering wheel.
Sitting on its genuine correctly restored fifteen inch anodised Fuchs and Avon radials, this RS replica presents extremely well and has a nice, aged patina that certainly looks more genuine than a freshly built pin sharp facsimile.
When we purchased the car, we knew it had been laid up for the last few years, so some mechanical recommissioning would be required. However, this soon turned into a comprehensive mechanical restoration as we found many things we simply couldn’t leave as they were. A precautionary strip down of the engine to cure the usual oil leaks revealed one was coming from a crack in the engine case itself where somebody had attempted a chemical metal repair previously. The only option was to find another set of cases, so to future proof the engine for its next custodian, we purchased a new set of correct replacement 8R cases from Porsche and rebuilt the engine from the bottom up with new bearings and gaskets. Additional work included:
Rear seat pan restoration.
Rear trailing arm restoration with new OE oversized bearings.
Rear spring plates restored and plated.
New bushes installed.
New rear discs and pads.
New handbrake fittings, shoes and cables.
New backing plates.
New heat exchanger flaps and cables.
New fuel lines.
New driveshafts.
Full engine rebuild, including brand new Porsche 8R cases.
Full MFI pump rebuild by Tuthill Porsche.
New flywheel and clutch kit.
Alternator refurbished.
New starter motor.
New batteries.
New fuel tank.
New spare wheel and jack.
Classic retrofit fuse panel
Our thoughts
By necessity in the end, this right hand drive M472 RS Evocation has turned out to be a very well sorted example that is now ready to be used as intended. The fact that aside from the chassis number, it is virtually indistinguishable from the real deal and is perfectly suited to someone who wants the full genuine RS experience, without laying out the substantial investment required to have that coveted chassis number under the bonnet.
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