1986 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 Evocation – Classified of the Week

In the world of cars, the word ‘replica’ is generally not a good one. It conjures up images of Escort 1.3 hatchbacks with poor RS Cosworth body kits, or Audi TDi Avants with RS6 wheels. Or of course, the dreaded M badge on a ropey old 520i. It’s not a term that brings about a barrage of positive imagery. But don’t let the thought of those hideous, aforementioned cars ruin the word for you. A replica can be a good thing, especially when you call it something else, like a homage, or an evocation. A bit like the Porsche 911 we have here. It started life as a 1986 3.2. But now it’s more than that, thanks to the brilliantly talented team at Rindt Vehicle Design.

If you want a real deal 911 2.7 RS from the early 1970s, you’re going to need to get valuations on body parts. We’re talking well into six figures here. That’s… a lot. And then what? You buy it, and you’re left with a car you’ll be too scared to drive or use. You’ll never park it anywhere without your heart rate increasing. You’ll worry about its every move. And that sort of thing robs from the joy of owning such a car. So what’s the alternative? This evocation, of course.

Built with no expense spared, this 911 looks every bit the 2.7. The wheels, the changes to the body to make it look like a ‘72 (wings, graphics, ducktail etc), the interior. It’s all there. It all looks proper. There is even a private plate on there to make it look like a ‘72, not the ‘86 it actually is. To the passing observer, this is the real deal. And when you get in it and fire up that flat-six, you can pretend it is. And that’s okay.

This is an homage of a supercar based on a supercar. It’s not a clattery 1.3 Escort with Cosworth looks. This 911 was a desirable, exciting, rewarding and fast car to begin with. It still is, but now it looks even better. That’s how you do it, that’s how you make a replica – you base it on something good to begin with, not something worlds apart (looking at you, Countach kit-cars based on VW Beetles).

There is absolutely nothing to not love here. It looks incredible, it has been built to an outstanding standard and it comes in at a mere £69,995. You’d pay £40,000 for a mint ‘86 911 3.2. So an extra twenty grand for all that 2.7 RS visual goodness? What’s not to like?

Of course, the Porsche snobs will turn their nose up at it, but ignore them. You buy a car like this for you, and for the joy it affords. You buy it because you’re a realist, and you know that the real deal is out of reach and too worrisome to own and drive even if it wasn’t. You buy this as a nod to the RS, you buy this to carry on its legacy, to remind people of it. And you do all that for hundreds of thousands less than someone with an original. It’s a deal stacked full of wins in our book.