1974 Porsche Carrera RSR 3.0 Coupe

The 'Carrera' moniker commemorated Porsche's racing successes in the Pan American road races during the 1950s. The 911 Carrera RS was introduced in 1973 and had many refinements such as an enlarged engine displacing 2687cc, improved brakes, suspension and body contours. These were extraordinary vehicles that could be driven on road or track. The primary purpose of these cars was to homologate the racing versions, dubbed the Carrera RSR. The RSR had a 2808cc engine and brakes from the 917. Their inaugural racing debut was at the Daytona 24-Hours, where they emerged victorious - a victory on its first attempt.

40 Carrera 3.0 RSR cars were built by the factory in 1974 and only 11 the following year. Improvements and modifications were made to the cars during their production lifespan, including a full racing type 911/75 engine, 917 clutch linings, fiberglass rear fenders, center lock hubs with racing pattern magnesium wheels, slide throttle fuel injection, and centrifugal air extractors for the brakes. The result was less weight and more power. Porsche dominated the FIA GT Cup and IMSA for the next two years.

On March 1st of 1974, Peter Gregg, owner of Brumos Porsche Audi in Jacksonville, Floria, took possession of this 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR. It would become one of the most successful of all the RSR Carreras. Gregg was a very capable driver; he won at Daytona in 1973 with a 2.8 RSR Brumos, and several other significant victories.

Before the start of the 1974 season, several modifications were made by Gregg's crew chief Jack Atkinson. A 'cow catcher' spoiler was fitted to the front, a belly pan installed underneath, and an oil tank was placed in the front compartment for better weight distribution and easier refilling. To improve cooling to the front brakes, hot air extractors were installed. The gearbox was inverted to make ratio changes easier.

The 12-Hour of Sebring and the 24-Hour of Daytona events were canceled in 1974, as the first fuel crisis was plaguing the nation. The car was brought to Road Atlanta where Gregg took pole position. He would led the race but later forced to retire when a missed shift bent some valves. The cars first overall victory was earned on May 19th at Ontario. Several other significant victories and finishes were achieved during the year, earning Gregg the Camel GT Championship title. Jack Atkinson was named Mechanic of the Year. Also for 1974, Gregg and this car won the Trans Am Championship.

The following year, Gregg and co-driver Hurley Haywood won the Daytona 24-Hours. The season would end with another IMSA Championship for Gregg and manufacture's title for Porsche. The Trans Am Championship was won, for the second year in a row, by Gregg.

At the end of the season, Gregg purchased a BMW CSL and sold this car to Diego Febles. Febles continued the cars racing career, winning at the Puerto Rico Three-Hours, with Gregg serving as co-driver. The car was entered in the 1976 Sebring 12-Hours, and finished fifth overall. It ran at LeMans but retired early due to gearbox failure. Similar misfortune would continue into the following season. Febles best result with the car a third overall and first in the GTO class at the 1978 Daytona. That year, he also achieved third in class at Sebring.

For the 1979 season, the car was given a welded tubular roll-cage frame into the original body. The car would compete for several more years. In 1983 at the Daytona 24-Hours, the car placed fifth overall and second in class. At this point in history, the car was nearly a decade old but still had the durability and speed to run with the top contenders.

Costa Rican Edgar Ramirez became the cars third owner in 1986. Ramirez drove the car to the Central American Championship, after which, he retired it from racing. The car, along with all of its trophies, was made into a static display. In 2004, the current owner acquired the car.

While in the care of the new owner, the car was treated to a two-and-a-half-year restoration. It has its original RSR bodywork and many of the chassis components are original.

In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $900,000-$1,100,000. Bidding fell short of those estimates, but not by too much. With the high bid of $891,000 including buyer's premium, the lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008