1986 Porsche 911 RS

This beautifully built Backdate is as pleasing on the eye as it is to drive.

Built to honour a legend rather than impersonate it, this RS styled 911 began life as a 1986 Carrera 3.2 before undergoing a meticulous transformation over several years. The result is a car with a high-end finish, executed with real attention to detail.

Resembling the original 1973 Carrera RS of the man who commissioned it – he desired a recreation he could use and enjoy whilst the ‘real thing’ stayed safely tucked away at home.

The reincarnation involved a bare metal strip down, with new (genuine) steel front wings and front slam panel, Pro 9 lightweight GRP front and rear bumpers, long nose bonnet and ducktail spoiler, all carefully incorporated and repainted in Grand Prix white. New lamps, horn grilles, 2.7 badging, aluminium window surrounds and wing mirrors, plus iconic ‘Carrera’ graphics complete the picture.

Inside you are treated to Cobra Classic buckets seats with headrests, trimmed in Pepita houndstooth style fabric, with the rear seats finished to match. Lightweight RS Style door cards, new carpet, a MOMO Prototipo steering wheel and a change to a 180 mph speedo provide a sense of old school authenticity.

Redline Racing completed a comprehensive engine rebuild, breathing life back into the flat 6, boosting performance to a suggested 255 hp with the addition of SSI heat exchangers, a Dansk stainless steel exhaust, plus a Steve Wong ECU performance chip. The 915 gearbox followed suit, rebuilt and refitted along with a new clutch. The addition of a WEVO performance shifter provides precise and crisp gear changes.

15 inch Fuchs with chubby, period correct Avon CR6ZZ tyres fill the arches, whilst uprated shock absorbers, polybushes and an SW Engineering strut brace ensure the handling lives up to standard of the rest of the car.

The original service book and accompanying folders of paperwork – including a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and 34 MOT certificates – illustrates just how well cared for this Porsche was long before it began its transformation – a well-chosen base on which to build. Further invoices and receipts clarify that undertaking something similar could not be achieved for the asking price today – plus this one is already done and instantly available.

No, it won’t fool the experts, but it’s not meant to – that was never its purpose. It’s a Porsche that celebrates the best of both worlds: the style and appeal of an early RS with the driveability and engineering of a later era. And wherever it goes, it will turn heads and raise smiles.

Registered with an age appropriate ‘L reg’ plate.

Please note: This Porsche has covered 6,228 miles since the odometer was replaced with the 180 mph version mentioned above. The change was carried out shortly after the engine rebuild, and the current reading reflects the mileage driven since. The previous odometer reading was 138,094 miles, which has been recorded for reference.