1973 Porsche 911 RSR Tribute

Mar 19

Written By Katelyn McSherry

Lights: Halogen Bulb Cibie Rally Lights along with Stock Porsche Halogen Headlamps

This 1973 Porsche RSR Tribute features standard headlights along with aftermarket Cibie headlights for rally racing. Cibie started manufacturing headlights in 1919, after constructing the first aircraft landing bulb in 1913. Most European vehicles in the early 1970s had halogen bulbs, with the US following shortly after. There were two headlamp sizes available in the US, 7 in round and 5 ¾ in round allowing four per vehicle. The halogen bulb rally lights allow the Tribute to be properly illuminated during a nighttime rally.

This car has been built to original specifications using all original Porsche parts by Kevin Jeanette at Gunnar Racing in West Palm Beach, FL, one of the most important private Porsche racing and restoration facilities behind Porsche.

Nowadays, gear heads around the globe are familiar with the Porsche name, though there are a few Porsches that helped establish the company as trusted automakers on and off the race track. This 911 RSR is one of the icons that helped turn Porsche into the racing dynamite they are today.

In 1972, the FIA effectively pushed Porsche’s fearsome, Le Mans-winning 917 prototypes off the stage by limiting engine displacement to three liters. The company had to fall back on its bread-and-butter production cars to compete in the World Championship for Makes.

Porsche created a new model, branded the Carrera RS, was duly homologated with the construction of 500 examples to meet the new class rules. The 2.4-liter 911 S was not deemed strong enough for competition, so Porsche decided to upgrade to a 2.7-liter engine, larger wheels and body modifications to match– including flared rear quarter-panels and an intriguing rear spoiler that became known as the infamous “ducktail.

These would serve as the basis for even more potent versions as the ferocious Group 5 2.8 and 3.0 RSRs would come to dominate GT racing, especially in the U.S. In total, 1,590 examples were built (including “Homologation,” or “H” cars), thus enough to qualify the model for Group 3, standard GT production cars. This car has been built using all original parts by Gunnar Racing in West Palm Beach, FL, on of the most important private Porsche racing and restoration facilities behind Porsche.