To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Taj Ma
Garaj Collection event, 28 September 2019.
Estimate:
$250,000 - $350,000
- Presented as-new with only 47 km recorded
- Most likely the lowest-mileage example extant
- One of only 50 924 Carrera GTS homologation specials
- Factory upgraded with more powerful Clubsport package
- Delivered new by Bob Hagestad Porsche-Audi in Denver,
Colorado
- Known ownership with only two owners from new
- Exceptionally rare and exceedingly original
When Porsche was planning its racing program for 1981, it faced an
unusual problem: Its world-beating Type 936 prototype was outdated,
and, as has been noted elsewhere, the ferocious 911-based 935 was
still being raced with great success by private teams, especially
in IMSA. Management decided that the best way to build customer
interest in its two-year-old entry-level VW/Audi-powered 924 was to
take it racing. To build a true Group 4 two-liter race car based on
a current production model�the 924 Turbo�Porsche had to create a
higher-performance derivative called the Carrera GT. Initially, 500
examples were required by the FIA, but during the development
phase, this number was relaxed to 400. The Carrera GT was lighter
by 330 pounds, lowered, and fitted with an uprated engine producing
210 horsepower. The Carrera GT's body was modified to allow much
wider front and rear track with extended front fenders and rivet-on
flares on the rear quarters. These changes accommodated seven- and
eight-inch-wide Fuchs forged alloy wheels and correspondingly wider
tires.
When this series had been completed, Porsche took another step,
creating an "Evolutionary" model that required just 50 street-legal
examples, and they were named the Carrera GTS. All of these cars
were aimed at winning FIA recognition for the brilliant 924 GTP, of
which three were constructed to compete in the 1981 24 Hours of Le
Mans. The trio not only completed the twice-around-the-clock
endurance classic, but finished a quite amazing 6th, 12th, and 13th
overall.
The 924 Carrera GTS is easily recognized by its flush,
plastic-covered rectangular headlamps and additional venting in the
nose. The rear body panel bore a very subtle molded plastic GTS
badge. The GTS produced a healthy 245 bhp at 6,250 rpm with 1.0 Bar
of boost on a compression ratio of 8.0:1. A skilled driver rowing
through the Getrag G31/03 five-speed could reach 60 mph in just 6.5
seconds.
The 924 GTS was further lightened�down to 2,300 pounds�by use of
hollowed-out, metal-framed fiberglass door shells fitted with
sliding, rather than wind-up, windows that were now made of
plastic. The GTS had a thinner and lighter flush-mounted windshield
and a molded clear Plexiglas rear hatch to which the familiar black
rubber spoiler was glued. The hood was now fiberglass with a
functional air intake, with sliding panel and racing hold-down
latches and a simple decal in lieu of Porsche's metal badge.
Underneath, protective plastic panels were removed, and the
suspension was upgraded from torsion bars and steel shocks to
Bilstein coil-overs at all four corners, the stock steel rear
semi-trailing arms replaced with cast light-alloy, and the big
four-wheel ventilated and cross-drilled disc brakes came from the
930 Turbo parts bin. The uprated GTR five-speed transaxle with a 40
percent limited-slip was cooled with an additional radiator.
Inside, there was a full bolt-in, heavily gusseted Matter alloy
roll cage, a suede-wrapped steering wheel, a special VDO
tachometer, and a pair of deep 935-type racing bucket seats with
Autoflug race harnesses. The collapsible emergency spare wheel was
mounted on the rear cabin deck (the back seats were deleted) to
make room beneath for a 120-liter gas tank. A Halon
fire-suppression system was also available to owners who wanted to
race, and there are ignition cutoff switches installed on both the
dashboard and front windshield cowling. The 924 GTS was a costly
automobile when new, carrying a factory-delivered price near four
times that of a standard 924. Still, their brilliant performance
and scarcity meant they were quickly snapped up by eager
enthusiasts. Famed factory driver Derek Bell was among them and has
been quoted as saying the 924 Carrera GTS is among his
favorites.
A total of 50 examples were built and sold, but within that group
was an even more exclusive option�the Clubsport�which was
considerably more powerful. The bore was increased slightly to
raise displacement to 2,093 cc, and a larger air-to-air intercooler
helped produce 275 bhp at 1.1 Bar. It could touch 60 mph in 5.2
seconds and see 160 mph. At the time, it was said to be the fastest
production car Porsche had ever built.
This example was completed on 11 February 1981 and then shipped to
Bob Hagestad Porsche-Audi in Denver, Colorado, where it was sold to
its first owner, Dr. William Jackson, an ophthalmologist from Pine
Cliff, Colorado, on 23 July 1982. The retail price was $44,062.
Soon after his purchase, Dr. Jackson entertained the possibility of
driving his new car on the street, but a letter from Mr. John Hitt,
Hagestad's sales manager, quickly disabused him of that idea. The
letter stated that the car was sold on a Bill of Sale, without any
MSO or title. "This car can only be used for the purposes of show,
testing, experiment, competition, and repairs or alterations and
will not be sold, licensed, or registered for use on public roads
in the U.S." It also notes that many cars like this are bought for
collectible purposes and will not meet EPA standards in the U.S.
Only a handful would reach the United States. In April 1987, Dr.
Jackson had Eurosport, Ltd. of Englewood, Colorado, service the car
and install a set of racing slicks. He otherwise stored the car
amongst his collection of rare and highly original Porsches.
In August 2005, Dr. Jackson sold the Carrera GTS to John Dixon,
only the second owner, at the Taj Ma Garaj in Dayton, Ohio. Most
recently serviced in March 2019 by P3Autokr�fte, this wonderful
factory-built production race car presents in original and very
good cosmetic condition, with only a few minor flaws. Notably, the
engine and transmission numbers on the Porsche Certificate of
Authenticity do not match those currently in the car. However, in
speaking with the original owner, the car remains as he acquired it
new in 1982 and has only been driven a handful of miles since he
took delivery.
It is supplied with a tool kit, spare wheel, jack, factory
literature, dealer correspondence, and a file of service receipts.
This rare and very desirable 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport would easily
be returned to track-ready condition. Its next owner can be assured
that it will be the only one in the neighborhood.
Please note that this lot is offered on a Bill of Sale only.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/tg19.
