Porsche's best 911 racers

Charting the history of race-bred 911s dating back to 1967’s 911R

It may sometimes seem that Porsche’s occasional issue of limited-edition race-inspired 911s is a relatively recent trend. In fact, ‘special’ 911s have been around almost as long as the 911.

Given the values, imagine owning the first one, the 1967 911R. In some ways it was the most remarkable special of all. Porsche’s first in-house racing 911 that could also be driven on the roads was powered by the craziest engine they had at the time: a 210bhp, 2-litre flat-six from the prototype 906 Le Mans car. It was subjected to a ruthless weight-trimming regime that went as far as turning the bonnet badge into a sticker and removing the wheel centre caps.

The result was, and still is, the lightest 911 ever. Just twenty of these screaming 850kg weapons were made. Today, a ’67 R would be valued at well into seven figures, but that’s a notional figure as none are likely to be put up for sale.

1967 911R

That magical million-pound mark has also been broached by the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7. Prices have dropped back a little recently but this lightweight homologation special has real competition history, a 210bhp 2.7-litre engine, that distinctive ‘burzel’ ducktail spoiler and superb driving characteristics, plus enough civility to make it genuinely useable on public roads. It was a brilliant 911.

1973 Carrera RS 2.7

Compared to the RS, the 1968 ClubSport is relatively low-profile. It wasn’t a racer: it was basically a cheaper, decontented Carrera with no rear seats, electric windows, sun roof or central locking, reducing its weight by 50kg. It looked pretty ordinary and Porsche made no extra power claims for it. However, they did say that only the best engines off the production line were used, along with a new ECU and a higher redline. New dampers, stiffer engine mounts and the addition of a limited-slip differential completed this optimised 911 package. It’s a true classic.

The 1991 964-series Carrera RS didn't feel like a classic to contemporary road testers. Lighter, stiffer, stripped out and more powerful, albeit only to the tune of 10bhp, it performed wondrously on racetracks but was a tough proposition on normal roads thanks to its hard suspension.

1991 964-series Carrera RS

The 1994 993-series Carrera RS with multi-link rear suspension was much less uncompromising. With a special 3.8-litre engine and a raft of weight-reducing mods, it actually rode better than a regular 993 on Sport suspension and was a lovely track machine, even though it wasn’t that much quicker than the considerably less powerful 964.

1994 993-series Carrera RS

A modern 2.7 Carrera RS, this 993 RS was a super everyday drive, unlike the 993 GT2 version that came shortly after. If you wanted something close to a road-going Le Mans car, this was the obvious choice, but its combination of 430bhp, lightweight shell and on-off throttle response made it too much of a handful for most. Its outright scariness and rarity – just 57 road cars were built – has pumped up values to equally scary levels. One sold in 2016 for £1.85m.

1995 993 GT2