Lot 221: 1985 Porsche 924 Carerra GTR

When in November 1975 Porsche launched the 924, it marked a radical departure for the company; not only did it have a front engine, it was also water rather than air-cooled. The 1,984cc four cylinder, single camshaft engine, producing 125bhp at 5,800rpm and 1221b.ft at 3,500rpm via Bosch injection, was mated to a four-speed transaxle. Beneath the 2+2 coup body, the steel monocoque sported independent suspension allowing excellent roadholding. September 1977 saw front and rear anti-roll bars fitted and for 1979, a five speed transaxle for the 924 Lux. In October the same year the exciting 924 Turbo was introduced, boasting a 36% power increase courtesy of a KKK turbocharger that raised outputs to 170bhp at 5,500rpm and 1811b.ft at 3,500rpm. An even more exciting variant appeared in August 1980, the limited edition, homologation special 924 Carrera GT. Based on the 924 Turbo, the Carrera's modified engine pushed out an impressive 210bhp, transforming the 924 into a 160mph machine. There were other notable changes, too, the 924's body appearing as though on steroids with bulbous fibreglass wings covering 7.0" front, 8.0" rear alloy wheels with 215/60 low profile tyres on 15" rims. Just 400 of these highly desirable and very fast Carrera GT's were built until Summer 1982, a mere 75 being exported to Britain. All this is nothing however when you compare what came before to some of the incarnations the 924 appeared as. Built as an IMSA spec Evolution of the 1980 Le Mans factory racing car in the USA, this example has been completely restored both mechanically and cosmetically, including engine and gearbox undertaken by reputable Porsche specialist, G-Force Motorsport. Since then, it has remained as part of a private collection and has only been used lightly in order to run in the drive train. When originally put together, it utilised the latest Evolution endurance parts such as 962 centre-lock hubs, inboard air jacks, cockpit adjustable turbo boost as well as many other modifications. Power is reported to be in the region of 400-455 bhp @ 7500rpm from the 2 litre turbo charged unit.Not only will this Stuttgart based leviathan sweep all before it on track days but it is an excellent opportunity to hone racing expertise in a GT, endurance or IMSA based environment. So much so in fact that this GTR is presented as a turn-key package and includes a spare set of bodywork, bodywork moulds, a spare engine, spare hubs and suspension parts, gearbox internals and extra ratios. Also included are extra drive shafts, several new camshafts, spare wheels and rims and several crates of miscellaneous new spare parts. The quick witted amongst you will have noticed that it is not designed for normal road use, a fact not lost on the vendor who has generously agreed to include, a recently serviced, Brian James 4-wheel trailer as part of the lot.