Santa Monica-based Gooding & Company recently announced additional consignments for its upcoming Geared Online | December auction, led by this 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight in iconic Gulf Blue. The entire catalogue for the online-only auction will be available on goodingco.com next Monday, November 27.
“The importance of Porsche’s RS 2.7 cannot be overstated. It redefined performance for 1970s sports cars and was an integral part of Porsche’s racing efforts of the period,” said Angus Dykman, Gooding & Company Specialist. “We’re proud to offer an exceedingly rare M471 Lightweight specification example that is one of just four finished in the iconic Porsche color of Gulf Blue, making this car especially desirable for the true Porsche enthusiast. It headlines this Geared Online auction, which features other significant Porsches, American collectibles, and an incredible selection of motorcycles from The Adam Lindemann Motorcycle Collection.”
With the development of the Carrera RS of 1973 as a pure homologation special, Porsche created an unrivaled sports car utilizing innovative aerodynamic and weight-saving features. A total of just 1,580 examples of the 2.7 RS were built, of which a mere 200 were completed in race-oriented M471 Sport or Lightweight specification. A definitive dual-purpose sports car, these rare M471 models were initially constructed using a lightweight body shell with thin Glaverbel glass, fiberglass bumpers, and an aluminum-framed fiberglass engine lid molded into the famous “ducktail” spoiler.
The desirable first-series M471 Lightweight on offer, chassis 9113600269, was built in late 1972 and delivered new to the official Porsche importer of Sweden, Volkswagen Sverige, in Södertälje. It was one of just four RS 2.7 Lightweights finished in the legendary Porsche racing color of Gulf Blue, and also came optioned from new with a limited-slip differential and left and right headrests. The Lightweight was sold to its first owner in Sweden in March 1973, and purchased by its second owner, Swedish mechanic Bertill Karlsson, in August 1974 following an accident, photos of which are on file. Karlsson repaired the car after hours in the Porsche dealership where he worked, including replacing the car’s roof.
The Lightweight belonged to a total of three owners in Sweden until 1987, when it made its way overseas, where it was then owned by several US-based collectors. In 2011, the RS was purchased by a private European collector, and in 2012 was sold by renowned specialists Maxted-Page Limited to a prominent UK-based Porsche collector. Invoices on file document over £15,000 in mechanical work and maintenance carried out by the experts at Maxted-Page from 2011 to 2020.
In 2019, Porsche launched the Type 991 generation, utilizing modern performance features while honoring the German automaker’s original tried-and-true formula. Porsche built just 1,948 991 Speedsters, including the example on offer, which comes equipped with the sought-after $24,510 Heritage Design Package. Developed by Porsche Exclusive using the highest levels of craftsmanship, the Heritage Design Package harkens back to the roots of Porsche motor sports with numerous classic-inspired styling and design elements. The Speedster is exclusively available in GT Silver Metallic paint, and its interior is finished in Black and Cognac two-tone leather, with seat backs and interior trim pieces painted in GT Silver Metallic.
This one-owner example was purchased new by the consignor from Porsche of Fresno, California in November 2019, and has been preserved since, showing just 52 miles at the time of cataloguing. This coveted 911 Speedster is accompanied by its original window sticker, owner’s manuals, spare key, car cover, and CARFAX report.
Introduced in late 1954, the Porsche 356 Speedster was a true dual-purpose sports car, proving capable as both daily transportation, and with minor modifications, a successful weekend race car. This 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster, chassis 83955, was completed in October 1957 according to the accompanying copy of its Porsche Kardex. Originally finished in Elfenbein (Ivory, Code 704) and equipped with US-specification equipment, 83955 was delivered new to Hoffman Motors of New York, the official North American distributor of Porsches.
Recently discovered in long-term, single family ownership, this highly sought-after 356 A Speedster presents today in as-found, unrestored condition, having been parked in static storage for decades. It is a prime candidate for a complete, concours-quality restoration, and still retains its 1970s-era California blue-and-yellow vanity license plates. Encapsulating the charm of a bygone era, this fresh-to-market 356 A Speedster provides its next custodian with an exciting restoration project.
Gooding & Company will also offer a limited-production US-specification 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 in the striking, as-delivered color scheme of Marrone Colorado over Beige. Geared Online | December will also present American classics from a private collection, including a 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Custom Convertible Sedan as well as an iconic coffin-nose 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton.
All of the lots for Geared Online | December are located at Gooding & Company’s Southern California facility. Appointments for viewing and inspection are open to prospective clients and media members upon request, subject to availability.
