old people was it this hard to buy a RS in 1973 ?
12-16-2018, 09:25 AM
#91
Rennlist Member
Not sure I should be upset with the "old man" description, however it is factually a correct statement! In the late 1960's and early 1970's I didn't see very many 911's on the road. I saw many MG's, Triumphs, Alpha Romeos and TVR's. There were some Fiat Spiders, it appeared the English had the market cornered for sports cars, along with the Stingray.
As for the OP's question, Porsche made 500 1973 RS worldwide, so I would think that at a $10,000+ price tag, they would be easier to acquire. To understand the economics of the time, I was making $1.60 an hour in 1970. A family of four could live a middle class life with 10k-12k of family income. Gas was 13c per gallon. A brand new MG was about $2300. The 911 (not RS) was not much more expensive just not on most folks radar in the NYC area, where I was living at the time. Truth is, most of us "old men" could not afford a new car. Most were paying for their own college tuition, clothing, car insurance etc. We almost all had one job at age 13 or 14, some had two (I did) by the time we were at driving age. Culturally, the muscle car was where we went, though I went the Triumph route (used of course) myself.
Interesting note: In 1970 the average price of gas I paid was 13c/gal. The minimum wage was around $1.45/hr. That is better than a 11:1 ratio. Now gas in around $2.50 and the minimum wage is $7.25. No wonder people are feeling poorer.
As for the OP's question, Porsche made 500 1973 RS worldwide, so I would think that at a $10,000+ price tag, they would be easier to acquire. To understand the economics of the time, I was making $1.60 an hour in 1970. A family of four could live a middle class life with 10k-12k of family income. Gas was 13c per gallon. A brand new MG was about $2300. The 911 (not RS) was not much more expensive just not on most folks radar in the NYC area, where I was living at the time. Truth is, most of us "old men" could not afford a new car. Most were paying for their own college tuition, clothing, car insurance etc. We almost all had one job at age 13 or 14, some had two (I did) by the time we were at driving age. Culturally, the muscle car was where we went, though I went the Triumph route (used of course) myself.
Interesting note: In 1970 the average price of gas I paid was 13c/gal. The minimum wage was around $1.45/hr. That is better than a 11:1 ratio. Now gas in around $2.50 and the minimum wage is $7.25. No wonder people are feeling poorer.
12-16-2018, 01:07 PM
#92
Race Director
Hey YOU STFU...Dark Knight was being funny...i'm 53 aging gracefully...missing a entire left leg and cut jokes about it daily as do some people with me...no harm! Dark Knight is good people..thicken up your skin..its a firkin joke ...jeez.
12-16-2018, 01:38 PM
#93
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
thanks for the support!!! too many people want an excuse to be offended these days, you're right humor about difficulty helps us make it and improvise adapt overcome. When the 73 Carrera RS was new i couldn't drive yet,I was more interested in Star Trek and Spock than cars, at that time, so of course I wonder if people who were in a position to buy one back then could- obviously they'd be old people, haha best wishes!
12-16-2018, 02:12 PM
#94
Rennlist Member
How could this happen? Let us guess?
- Digital native/Internet superstar?
- Youtube sensation with >1M followers?
- Dad?
- Trust fund baby - living off of Daddy's hard work and or inheritance?
- *married/dating a woman - who is a trust fund babe (**note: this is the preferred option if she is highly attractive and reasonably smart)?
- *"CEO" of your father's empire (*note: CEO title not earned nor linked to any hard work/impact, but given along with participation trophy and or for having your Dad's last name)
- Trust fund baby - living off of Daddy's hard work and or inheritance?
- Cryptocurrency maven who got out at the right time?
What a great thread!
Q
12-16-2018, 02:35 PM
#95
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Im not young, but if you were in your 30s let say in 1973 you'd be 70s today-right? just reality, what next people should berate me if I say mostly straight males buy this car
12-16-2018, 02:45 PM
#96
Rennlist Member
It is all good my man. Think it was a great question and I am not in my 70's nor close. The chirping is just part of the fun. A
12-16-2018, 02:47 PM
#97
Pushing 80, even. And 30s in 1973 is optimistic, as there were fewer younger people with money back then. So yeah I'd venture to say that a good proportion of original 73 RS buyers is not even old anymore.
12-16-2018, 03:08 PM
#98
Rennlist Member
When I was living in a condo overseas in 2000's, my neighbor (who actually raced in Daytona 24 hrs once) had a flawlessly restored 73RS, while I had an Evolution (996.1). He sold that car for $90K, and in those days I thought who would in their right mind buy an old Porsche while for the same price someone could buy a brand new water cooled Porsche. I could have bought that car for that price. I guess the hormones were too strong in those days for any rational car thinking...
12-16-2018, 04:26 PM
#99
Race Director
12-16-2018, 05:06 PM
#100
Rennlist Member
This is actually a hilarious thread. Love the 73 rs though, it's one of the few "big boy" air-cooled collector cars I'd actually consolidate things for, there isn't really anything else like it that Porsche has ever done...
12-16-2018, 09:52 PM
#101
Race Director
There is an updated Rennsport Reunion 6 version of the Carrera RS Book.
Only 210 copies printed. I ordered one last week.
https://www.tag-motorbooks.com/books...on-english?c=7
Only 210 copies printed. I ordered one last week.
https://www.tag-motorbooks.com/books...on-english?c=7
07-26-2019, 06:09 PM
#102
Track Day
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George:
Your old crew chief, Al Lager, from Denver, was a neighbor and friend. He passed a couple of years ago. Thought you might want to know that. Quite a character. He and his wife, Susan, lived for racing, ignoring everything else. Do you have any interesting Al Lager stories?
Your old crew chief, Al Lager, from Denver, was a neighbor and friend. He passed a couple of years ago. Thought you might want to know that. Quite a character. He and his wife, Susan, lived for racing, ignoring everything else. Do you have any interesting Al Lager stories?
