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Sales debate: Why aren’t 3.0 RS prices significantly higher than 2.7 RS values?

Compared to the iconic 2.7 RS, the 3.0-litre Rennsport (built by Porsche in 1974) was lighter, bigger and more powerful. According to Autofarm’s sales and heritage director, Josh Sadler, the 3.0 RS is also “a better car to drive without question.”

Yet, when it comes to comparing the values of these two Rennsport heroes, the 1974 RS doesn’t enjoy a significant premium over its predecessor. In fact, in some instances, a 2.7 RS Lightweight will actually command more in the current market. We asked Sadler and Paragon’s proprietor, Mark Sumpter, for their opinions.

“Personally, it doesn’t make sense that the 3.0 RS is not valued higher,” Sadler says. “But it is more obscure and less well known,” he continues, pointing out that the 3.0-litre car is “only really appreciated by purists”.

Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

The classic 911 expert notes that the 2.7 RS is “always the 911 that appears in the magazines and top ten lists” too, adding to its perceived cachet.

Sumpter agrees, saying that the 2.7 RS/3.0 RS situation is seen elsewhere in the Porsche world. “It’s a bit like the 356 thing: they know the Speedster, but they don’t know the other cars. The 2.7 RS gets all the publicity,” explains the Paragon man. “Up until recently I haven’t really read much about the 3.0-litre RSs.”

However, it isn’t just a case of the 3.0 RS being too rare. “The 2.7 is arguably the prettier car,” adds Sadler. Analysing it further, Sumpter points to the 2.7’s “pure bumper shape” as opposed to the 3.0-litre’s “chunkier, clumsy look.”

911 Carrera 3.0 RS interior

Autofarm’s sales and heritage director feels that “in a market driven by emotion”, the 2.7 RS’s aesthetics have played a large role in its stratospheric rise in values, while Sumpter feels that, maybe, 3.0 RS prices have been stymied by “people feeling it’s too racy for them.”

So if the 3.0-litre Rennsport doesn’t get the attention it really deserves, where should values sit for this super-rare RS? Sumpter has the last say, feeling that with 2.7 RS Lightweights currently fetching around £800,000, a 3.0 RS should be worth “at least 20 per cent more”. Will we see them rise that high? Anything is possible in this market.

For market advice on any generation or style of Porsche 911, check out our full selection of sales debates, where we ask the 911 experts the pertinent market questions so you don’t have to.

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