This particular Porsche RSR is regarded by most as one of the single most successful as well as original examples left in the world. With complete up-to-date mechanics, beautiful cosmetics, full and extremely comprehensive documentation from moment one and current FIA documents. Ordered new in early 1974 by the gentleman racer, Harry Blumer of Pfaffhausen, Switzerland. Delivery of the car was handled by the official Porsche Concessionaire, Garage Zbinden in Laufen, Switzerland. Blumer and his friend, veteran Swiss Porsche Factory Team Driver Herbert Muller, ordered the car during a personal trip to Weissach shortly after production of the RSRs began.
Porsche’s new FIA Group 4 RSR became an near instant legend the moment it was announced and soon thereafter homologated by the FIA for endurance racing. The car was ordered under the racing option code “M491” which allowed for few additional options. He was limited after that to the exterior color (Code N8N8 “Yellow-Green”) and the optional center-lock magnesium racing 9-inch front and 12 inch wide rear wheels. Weighing in homologated at a mere 900kg, the RSR was obviously a very quick car. In excess of 170mph having been possible whilst 0-60 took less than five seconds.
Blumer had immediate plans for his new RSR with the primary objective being an outright win in the extremely competitive Swiss National Championship. In order to achieve this, he would have to compete in five separate sanctioned Hill Climbs, five endurance track events and two sanctioned air-field races. Garage Zbinden and their chief race mechanic, Hans Ulrich Sharer played a crucial role in achieving success for Blumer and his new RSR. The car was meticulously inspected after each race, assessed and immediately prepared for the next race without concern for cost or expense.
Individual Race Record
Date Race
05/12/74 Casale (Piemont - Italy) Blumer 4th OA
06/02/74 Dijon National Race Blumer 1st OA
06/22/74 Wangen-Dübendorf Blumer 1st OA
07/21/74 Hockenheim Blumer 3rd OA
07/28/74 Freiburg-Schauinsland Blumer 3rd GT
08/18/74 St Ursanne-Les Rangiers Blumer 13th OA, 1st GT
08/25/74 Hockenheim Blumer 11 th OA, 2nd GT
October 74 Hockenheim 3-hour race Blumer/Kofel 1st in GT
As a result of the Seasons overall placement, Blumer won the Swiss National Championship for 1974.
October 74 Hockenheim 3-hour race Blumer/Kofel 1st in GT
Immediately after this race Blumer agreed to the sale of the car to fellow Swiss racer, Edwin Kofel. For 1975 the car would be raced exclusively by Kofel in the Swiss National Championship and various Continental races throughout the 1975 and 1976 Season. They scored 8 podium finishes and one win. At the end of the 1976 Season, Garage Zbinden had both of Kofel’s engines updated by Porsche to the new “3.2-liter / 350bhp specification. The car was completely rebuilt and prepared for the next Season’s races. Kofel was on the podium for every race entered and scored 4 wins. After the Hemberg Hillclimb, Kofel agreed to sell the car to Edy Brandenberger a friend of the original owner, Harry Blumer. Blumer was then paired up in his old RSR with new owner Brandenberger for the final race of the 1976 Season at Hockenheim 3 hours where they finished 1st in class.
For 1977 the car was once again returned to Garage Zbinden where it was fitted with a full Porsche Factory FIA Group 5 Body, Brake and Suspension Kit. Later in the 1977 season Brandenberger had a 935 rear wing fitted and the car painted in the revised Red JVC Sponsorship. At the end of the 1977 Season, Brandenberger’s race record with this RSR was more than a little impressive. He managed to finish all seventeen races he entered finishing 1st overall in no less than nine of these and 1st in class in another seven! As a result of his overwhelmingly successful Season he became the 1977 Swiss Champion.
The 1978 Race Season was filled with many outright victories and once again the car never failed to finish a race. The years statistics were ten 1st place overall finishes and four second place finishes. After the 1978 Season this RSR was placed in long-term storage.
In 2002 the car was given a meticulous and complete restoration without concern for time or cost, bringing it back to its original 1974 as delivered “Blumer” green/Swiss GT-championship livery and specification. Mechanically this car is totally fresh while maintaining it original authenticity. Despite its impressive racing career this car has never been significantly damaged, and has FIA HTP certification.
Canepa Design has just completed a full mechanical inspection, race prep and detail on this remarkable car including:
Engine and transmission fully serviced and race ready
— Complete exhaust system restored and jet coated
— New Spark Plug Wires
— New fuel and oil filters
— Oil changed in both engine and transmission
— Valves adjusted and timing set
— Clutch inspected and new main seal installed
— RSR fiberglass engine compartment panels restored
Interior fully restored to factory new condition
— Interior cleaned and repainted satin black
— New shift and pedal bushings installed
— New door glass seals
— Steering wheel restored
— All instruments restored
— Original factory dash and door panels cleaned and preserved
Exterior fully detailed to a very high concours standard
— All old decals removed
— Body detailed and polished
— Front bumper repaired and refinished
— All new period correct graphics applied
Chassis
— Fully cleaned and detailed
— All suspension and brake components inspected
— Total “nut and bolt” torque check of all suspension and brake components
— Wheels fully restored with new Avon 10.5/23 15 front and 13.0/25 15 racing tires
— Brakes fluid flushed
