Porsche
911 Carrera RSR 2.8

Why it matters

The Carrera RSR 2.8 was the factory racing derivative of the Carrera RS 2.7 and one of the most successful GT racing 911s of the early 1970s. Only 55 were built for the 1973 model year, mostly for privateer teams.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8)
  Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8)
  Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

For 1973 Porsche bored out the Carrera engine to 2,806 cc and fitted Bosch mechanical fuel injection, raising output to around 300 hp at 8,000 rpm. The RSR combined this with a five-speed transaxle with oil cooler, ventilated discs all round and MacPherson-strut front and torsion-bar rear suspension. Cars were delivered to customers across Europe and North America and campaigned in club and international racing.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The RSR 2.8 is option M491 on the Carrera RS. Distinguishing features are a low front air dam with integral oil cooler, wider Fuchs wheels and wheel arches, and a chassis strengthened in three areas at the rear. A written inspection of one car confirmed the original chassis and production numbers, the original VIN plate, the RSR strengthening features and the correct “high butterfly” engine. Many 2.8 RSRs were later uprated to 1974 RSR 3.0 specification, so a car should be checked for its original engine and body.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 (1973) Level B Stuttcars

   • Porsche built just 55 examples of the original 2.8 RSR
   • RSR's type 911/52 engine
   • cylinder bores were enlarged to 92 mm
   • compression was raised to 10.3:1
   • just 1984 lbs in weight

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR | Gooding & Company Level B

   • 55 examples built for the 1973 model year (Bonhams cites 49)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR (Pebble Beach 2015, Lot 145) Level C Gooding & Company

   • 2,806 cc SOHC flat-6
   • Bosch mechanical fuel injection
   • 300 HP at 8,000 RPM
   • 5-speed manual transaxle with oil cooler
   • 5-speed manual transaxle
   • Independent, with MacPherson struts
   • Torsion-bar
   • 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes

   Accessed 2026-11-12