We had the rather unique opportunity to experience two legendary Porsche.

Firstly the 1973 911 2.7 RS, the car that started the RS series 50 years ago, and the 992 GT3RS of today.

Let’s look at the 1973 car first. This was conceived simply as a means for Porsche to be more competitive in international competition where the requirement was that a certain number of cars had been produced to the specification used on the competition cars.

In 1973 that meant enlarging the engine from 2.4 to 2.7. Employing magnesium engine cases and mechanical fuel injection. Widening the rear body in order to accommodate a wider (8” wheel and tyre), altering gear ratios, torsion bars and roll bars. Then removing weight by employing special thinner glass, less trim, and allegedly thinner panels on the early cars.

In addition, aerodynamics research led to the famous ducktail spoiler (in lightweight GRP), and the front air dam under the bumper also in GRP. The research was not so technical; but all we knew at the time. Short pieces of wool were taped to the car and the observations at speed led to the design of the ‘aero package’ a term now common, but never used back then,

The result, a car that one didn’t need to be superhuman to wring every drop of its 210 hp, using 100% of the ability, 100% of the time. It was a Porsche that you could literally install a roll cage and put the numbers on the doors, at the time…that was it.

That suitability for competition meant that many of these had ‘colourful’ lives, however now with such a high value, most have been restored.

Even today, whether on the road or closed circuit, being in charge of a good 2.7 RS is a delight…and it looks good too!

Now let’s consider the 992 GT3 RS.

Think of the engineers responsible for the 73 car, even on the psychedelic drugs of the 60’s and 70’s they could not of ever dreamed of what this future looked like.

The 992 RS incorporates the technology, and the lessons learnt from all the motorsport activity. It has electronic adjustments for every aspect, it has over double the horsepower at 510 bhp, the brakes, the wheels, and the tyres are all massive. It’s comfortable, can be driven to the shops, and will pound around a race track all day with zero complaints. It has active aerodynamics to help it stay on the road.

The technology will help you if you get into trouble, the 73 RS will not, but you will be moving towards trouble way faster, and I suspect without the driving aids, these cars would be more than most drivers could responsibly handle.

With PDK the driving is easy, however, for the owner to get a good lap at the Nurburgring of under 7 minutes takes expertise. The scenery will be passing mighty quick.

How quick is that 7 minutes?

In 1976 James Hunt won the Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. His lap 7.06. This GT3RS is faster, and with a ‘mere mortal’, not a Grand Prix driving playboy, THAT is how far the technology has come.

The new Porsche GT3 RS is immense. The 73 RS is a delight.

Which one would you be choosing? Let us know!

P.s. Let’s not forget the owners who have entrusted their Porsche to us. Thank you for the experience.

Watch Adrian & Graham with these two iconic cars below.