Formerly the property of Richard Hamilton
1973 Porsche 911S 2.4-Litre Coupé
Registration no. RGO 6L
Chassis no. 9113300884
Engine no. 6331402/911/53

When Richard Hamilton ordered this Porsche 911S he intended using it on the Continent, visiting his holiday home in the seaside town of Cadaques in the Basque country, north of Barcelona, as well as galleries around Europe, hence specifying it with the optional Lux Pack that included aluminium wheelarch trims, a full leather interior and electric windows. Unadorned by the spoilers or unsightly impact-absorbing bumpers that afflicted later models, the 2.4-litre 911 of 1972/73 is the last 911 retaining the purity of its original conception. Indeed, Hamilton thought that its shapely curves were a 'perfect' design that could not be improved upon in any way. He clearly treasured the Porsche and kept it until his sad passing in 2011.

The build was completed on 1st March 1973 (as confirmed by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity). Only 56 2.4S coupés were delivered in 1973 via AFN Ltd to right-hand drive configuration, making them far rarer than the left-hand drive equivalent (there were nearly 3,000 of those built between 1972/3). It is believed only five or six examples were delivered in this unusual black-on-black colour scheme. A rare 'F-series' example (only 40 were built), very few good matching numbers examples remain today.

This car carries the registration 'RGO 6L', a number which will resonate with Porsche aficionados, placing it alongside a batch of historically important 911 models successfully campaigned by racing drivers such as Nick Faure. The car was delivered by AFN on 29th March 1973 to Richard Hamilton's London studio and home in Highgate. In December 1977, Richard moved to North End Farm, Henley-on-Thames. He used the Porsche regularly and enthusiastically through the 1970s and '80s (it had covered 75,000 miles by 1980!) commuting from his London studio to North End Farm and making numerous overseas trips to visit the galleries with whom he collaborated.

The car was serviced and maintained by AFN, followed by Maltin (the local main dealer), and later by Maltin's chief mechanic, Tony Wright, when he set up his own business in Oxfordshire. Tony recently commented: 'I worked on RGO 6L when I was at Maltin Car Concessionaires, the Porsche main dealer in Henley-on-Thames, in the late 70s early 80s. I remember it well. Mr Hamilton used to bring the car in with his gorgeous Collie dog sat in the passenger seat!'. He continued maintaining the car when it passed to Richard's son and confirmed carrying out a top-end engine rebuild less than 5,000 miles ago, replacing all essential parts as well as fitting a new fuel injection metering unit.

Prior to Richard Hamilton's personal invitation to judge at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Cartier Style et Luxe concours event in 2007, the car was serviced at marque specialists Autofarm, who also carried out additional maintenance together with leading experts such as Bob Watson, BS Motorsport and RS Pumps (the car boasts their very last rebuilt injection pump), as the accompanying extensive history file testifies. This documents the car's entire history and contains service bills, maintenance receipts, restoration invoices, all MoT certificates, etc, plus the original owner's manual, wallet, stamped Maintenance Record booklet, key-cards and Porsche's Certificate of Authenticity. The car also comes with its original tool roll and jack, both in excellent condition.

'RGO 6L' remained at North End Farm until it passed into the care of Richard Hamilton's son Rodney. Following Richard's sad passing on 13th September 2011, Rodney continued to drive the Porsche regularly. It remained in Rodney Hamilton's possession until the spring of 2013, at which time, despite still being in very good original condition, the car was entrusted to Clark & Carter, one of Europe's leading specialists, for a 'last nut and bolt' restoration with the primary aim of securing its future. Multiple concours award-winners specialising in Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Porsche, Clark & Carter embarked on a sympathetic, 'ground upwards' rebuild to concours standards, while at the same time retaining as much of the car's acquired patina as possible. The 911's history and provenance were deemed too important to simply make the car 'as new', and the result is an intoxicating blend of old and new, correct in every detail.

It remains in the stylish black-on-black colour scheme that first attracted Hamilton in the early 1970s. An extensive record of the two-year restoration accompanies the car together with a current MoT certificate and V5C registration document. Following the restoration, Clark & Carter have road-tested the car and confirm it now runs very well in every respect.

Exceptional and correct in every detail, 'RGO 6L' is quite simply one of the finest right-hand drive examples of its type in existence today, with an unparalleled provenance.