Patrick Dempsey, Jay Leno Burn Rubber in a Couple of RS 911s
Hollywood A-Listers compare 1973 911 RS to 016 911 RS around Willow Springs to see how the model has evolved over 43 years.
This video is basically eight minutes showcasing Hollywood and Porsche legends. We all know Jay Leno and Patrick Dempsey as well as their shared connection with Hollywood and love of automobiles. On the Porsche side, we have not just the venerable 911 but the holy grail Rennsport versions of the 911. Heck, even LEGO understands what a RS 911 means in the automotive landscape.
We open with Jay Leno driving his pristine 1971 911 T on the road to Willow Springs racetrack. The car painted in what he affectionately calls a shade of “baby poop brown” is a one-owner car that he found in Beverly Hills. In the ’90s the original owner parked it underground at his mother’s condo where it sat in a dry, dark environment for many years. There is a reason these early air-cooled Porsche 911s have become so valuable in recent years. As Leno says, “It’s just a wonderful driving car. Light and nimble.” As wonderful as the simple 911 T is, it is quickly overshadowed when Leno arrives at the track.
Arriving at the same time is Dempsey in his 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, which is also a nice car but also overshadowed as they parked next to a stunning 1973 911 RS. The ’73 RS is considered by some to be the greatest 911 ever made. It has the more powerful 2.7L engine, and wider wheels and fenders, this is essentially a race car for the street. Which is a tired term to be sure but really does apply in this case. Only about 1,500 of these were produced in ’73. They now fetch around $1 million on the open market, and this all-original version would certainly bring top dollar.
Although Dempsey is an accomplished racer, no one wants to risk damaging such a valuable car, so they take to the track with caution. As Dempsey says, “They are tricky cars to drive on the edge.” Although, at least the car is being driven. The problem with historic seven-figure cars like this is that they often sit in private collections and rarely see the light of day. “They are so valuable; it is a shame they can’t be driven the way they are meant to be driven,” says Dempsey. So even seeing it get a light workout on a track is a treat.
Thankfully Porsche kept building RS models and next up is one that can be pushed a little bit.
Leno and Dempsey hop into a 2016 911 GT3 RS, and this time they are donning helmets, things are about to get serious. With Dempsey behind the wheel, he puts his racing skills to good use and takes Leno on a thrill ride around the track. As raw and wonderful as the ’73 car is, there is no denying the advancements that have been made in the four decades since that car first hit the streets.
“The rear-wheel steer makes a big difference on this car,” Dempsey points out. “That rear end just comes around and sets really nicely.” At the end of the session, they both praise the new car and are amazed at what Porsche has been able to accomplish over the years with its Rennsport 911s. Let’s hope we have another 40 years of RS magic to look forward to.
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