'73 RS History

[Yoda]

For what its worth, I think the idea of buying a good useable car (be it a bitsa or replica) is very appealing so that you can use it and enjoy it without fear of adding mileage, scratching it etc. A well used patina only adds to the charm. Still sounds like a lot of money but if that is what they go for, there isn't much you can do about it.

Call Steve Winter at Jaz (020 89031118), he is quite straight talking and will be able to tell you about the car and what work he did on it.

Hope it all goes well.

 

[epoch911]

Thanks to all...really helpful. ...and at the end of the day who cares what it is going to be worth if I don't ever intend selling it? After all, where do you go after a '73RS. I want to use it and enjoy driving the car as it was designed to do...albeit more cautiously perhaps!!
Will get a full check over done...any suggestions - was thinking Josh...any other specialists you can recommend? Car in Gloucestershire...

Ant

 

[Alex Postan]

If you use someone like Josh be clear in your brief and requirements. Josh is in trade and depsite his honesty there could always be a bias.
I would use Steve Carr (Josh's previous partner in Autofarm, now a high powered consultant in this sort of matter) - carrsport@toson.net or 07779 156801).

 

[Nick Green]

Hi all,
I remember importing this car about 1986 from switzerland.
A Swiss friend of mine who had found my sea blue RS for me a couple of years earlier phoned me up about this car and, as he had a nice RS himself asked if I was interested in it.
Anyway, I bought it and got it back.

It looked like a perfectly standard touring with a very very good interior. The only non standard bits were two decals on the front lid in red similar in shape to the kremer cars of the 70's.
Apparently, the car was previously owned by a doctor,who, with a friend, had bought two identical cars from new and had their own little team which did sprints and hillclimbs through the 70's.

I am fairly sure the original engine was in it and I am more than sure it wasn't standard.....it went like stink!!

Bodywork was ok but had some rot in the light bowls.

The other things that came with it which I still have are both factory labled/numbered are a fuel tank guard and an alloy roll bar which is very light and possible to lift with a little finger!

I have quite a few photos of the car as it was and if I am able I will put A few on here.

Nick

 

[jamescharnley]

would love to see photos of the fuel tank guard .. my plastic tank tends to take a bit of hammering from our Yorkshire roads

 

[elkelk]

Get it checked by an expert, then you will know exactly what you are looking at. They make great road cars, and due to their small dimensions are a breeze in traffic. If you intend to own the car for a long period of time, you might enjoy tracing the car's history and improving the car's originality over time, adding value. As long as you buy the car to own, rather than as an investment, the cyclicality of the market should not be of concern. Enjoy.

 

[oliver]

ORIGINAL: elkelk

Get it checked by an expert, then you will know exactly what you are looking at. They make great road cars, and due to their small dimensions are a breeze in traffic. If you intend to own the car for a long period of time, you might enjoy tracing the car's history and improving the car's originality over time, adding value. As long as you buy the car to own, rather than as an investment, the cyclicality of the market should not be of concern. Enjoy.

I'd endorse all of that.

Key is to buy at the right price and the market is very difficult to read.

2.7RSs are 'blue chip' classics, fantastic to drive, and there is a global demand - so values should remain robust. However, current levels have been set by the best examples and some very average cars are being priced very optimistically. When you consider the price of parts and the frightening restoration costs, it is often better to pay more for a pukka, perfect example.

However, a rolling restoration can make sense, but the matching nos issue won't go away.

This one could be tempting, but a realistic price would, IMO, be c.£65-70k

 

[epoch911]

Thanks to all again...Nick - the pics would be really interesting to see.

I saw (and briefly drove) the car at Prescott on Sunday...they say you should never meet your heroes but this one lived up to expectation. Need to organise a longer trial though. But initial thoughs were it was much more responsive and nimble than my 964, lovely noise, solid granite-like feel - it's weird but after 200 yrds I barely noticed it was LHD.

Am having Steve Carr begin the checking process...he's already been doing some background investigation with Josh and Bainbridge's and is doing more digging over next couple of days. Aim is to do a full inspection at the end of the week which should then give me a good view on whether to progress and what to pay.

Ah the price. Just don't know where to begin on this one...prices are all over the place. This car was on the market for 70K a year ago. I know the market has moved on a bit but has this car moved with it? Put it this way...if anyone has (or knows of) a good car that is coming onto the market, let me know!! Budget up to 85K...

Hope you don't mind the "blow by blow" accounts of the rocky road to heaven! You lot have been really helpful so far...

Ant

 

[jamescharnley]

have you contacted the carrera RS reg sec from the club? He might know of some cars available.

Quite a few RS owners on DDK who don't neccesarily look at this forum who might be able to help.

 

[Alex Postan]

LHD is probably a better financial bet. After all, it's only Britain and some bits of Australasia that would be the market for RHD. Many more LHD customers.
If the car is sound and it passes the exams, consider it as a long term ownership. Be prapared to spend money on expert opinons and if they tell you to walk away, do so.
I have not seen the car and shouldn't comment. but don't be too cautious. Better to have a toy with a real identity than to have money on deposit with Northern Rock.

 

[Nick Moss]

but has this car moved with it?

Yes, but only slightly.... the car had aftermarket seats a year ago, it now has refurbished Sports Recaros and correct '73 only tipping frames, that is over £3000 these days.
72/73 2.4Ss have picked up £10K to £15K in the same period.
I know of a non matching, non-historied incomplete 73 RSs in need of TOTAL restoration that has fetched over £45K, restoration cost on that car would have been £30K - £40K.
If the later engine case is a worry there are un-numbered 7R cases available that could be fitted.

 

[paul howells]

Hi Nick
The seats that came out of the car,are they available,i am looking for a pair of period high back race seats.
It would Also be good to see a couple of photos of the tank gaurd,as i have a need for one.Thinking of making one in ali,that rapps up under the front bumper for less drag.

 

[Nick Moss]

The seats that came out of the car,are they available

Hi Paul, I never saw the car, but in the pictures the previous seats look like modern Sparcos or Recaros, hardly period! Tank guards are available from Tuthill or Prepfab

 

[Nick Moss]

I just had a look at the pictures of the interior and the seats may well be from the 70s or 80s. I have asked the seller to send me some pics of them, I will post them as soon as I have them.

 

[paul howells]

Hi Nick
Thanks for the reply,the seats in the photos on prev page look like repro lolipops,which are period 73 to 75.there are a couple of companies that make them ,if they are lolipops i would be interested.
Prepfab and Francis,you need to weld lugs on the chassis first.I think we can fix something with out welding.

 

[Alex Postan]

I made a drawing of a 4mm ally half hard sheet to be folded up by my local fabricator. I then made two brackets that bolted to the front torsion bar mountings for the front and bolted it directly to the crosmember reinforcing stays at the rear. Works fine. I'll look to see if I have kept the drawing. It cost me less than £50 for the sheet and cuttting + folding and a weekend with a hacksaw and drill to make the front brackets. Car is with Bob Watson for a fettle, set up and MOT but when I'm back from the Rally Portugal (I'm doing that in a real car, 1958 Bonneville Sprite 962cc supercharged and 82 BHP !) I'll take some snaps and post. Heckmotor Bitz Von Herr Alex
PS if you fit a tank guard, remember to seal the gaps between tank and guard with expanding foam to stop a stone getting between the two. In that case, if you bash the plate, the stone can't neatly punch a hole in the tank :-(

 

[paul howells]

The rally sounds a hoot in the 84hp sprite,have fun.
Thanks for the tips,i have a good ali man who will make it for me,but its always better/easier if some has done something similar before.
Look forward to the photos Nick,im pretty sure they are repro lolipops.
Regards
Paul

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: epoch911

A rep will always be a rep (and not massively appealing to me) so this sits in the middle.

Anyone sense I am talking myself into it?

Ant

Oh, that looks good.

I think you would probably get more enjoyment out of this car than caring for a high value original car. Its not perfect but its got history, its interesting and if you can afford it, enjoy it.

Id love to buy a tatty SC to go with my 3.2 just to be able to enjoy it without risking a low mileage original car.

 

[Nick Green]

tank guard by porsche! looking a bit worn...obviously doing it's job!

 

[Nick Green]

whoops! having a bit of trouble sending piccies.