A particularly fascinating Porsche 911 race automotive went up on the market at an occasion coinciding with this previous weekend’s 2023 Goodwood Revival.

Listed by Bonhams, the automotive in query is a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, some of the iconic 911 race automobiles. It was provided by way of non-public sale so the outcomes of the transaction are unknown. Bonhams has confirmed that the automotive did promote.

Often called R7, it is believed to be considered one of simply three factory-backed examples surviving at present. The spotlight of its racing profession was fourth place on the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans—the very best end for an RSR on the French endurance race.

Whereas nonetheless recognizably a 911, the RSR was closely modified with widened fenders, a big rear spoiler nicknamed the Mary Stuart (after the Scottish monarch’s signature collar), and an uprated 3.0-liter flat-6 engine. The modifications have been intensive sufficient that the RSR was labeled as a prototype for the 1973 Le Mans race, in keeping with the public sale itemizing, which meant it competed towards devoted sports activities racers moderately than production-based automobiles, making its end all of the extra spectacular.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR (picture by way of Bonhams)

Pushed by Herbie Müller and Gijs van Lennep, and carrying the basic Martini racing livery, the automotive completed behind solely a trio of prototypes from Matra-Simca (in first and third) and Ferrari (second). The automotive completed out the season with the manufacturing facility staff with races on the Österreichring and Watkins Glen.

R7 was then offered to Mexican race staff proprietor Hector Rebaque, who introduced it again to Le Mans in 1974, although it failed to complete that yr because of ignition issues. In 1977, R7 was offered to Italian collector Massimo Balliva, who stored it hidden for nearly 30 years. This led to rumors that R7 had been wrecked and parted out beneath Rebaque’s possession.

Balliva ended up sending R7 to France for a restoration round 2009 or 2010. He then offered the automotive to a U.S. collector. R7 then turned the topic of a authorized battle in U.S. courts over its id, as one other proprietor claimed a distinct automotive was the true R7. Porsche engineer and staff supervisor Norbert Singer was introduced in to establish the real article.

With its id confirmed, Bonhams anticipated R7 to promote for between 3.7 million and 5.7 million British kilos—about $4.6 million to $7.1 million at present trade charges. Even when it reached the upper estimate, it would not be the costliest Porsche offered in recent times. A 1970 917K prototype racer used within the Steve McQueen film “Le Mans” offered for $14 million at a 2017 public sale.