1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS
After shelving its costly Formula 1 aspirations in late ’62, Porsche refocused on sports car racing to hone its road cars and take on intensifying rival makes. The Abarth-Carreras had campaigned internationally in early ’60s endurance contests, but surging competition demanded a new purpose-built racer.
FIA homologation requirements necessitated at least 100 road-legal examples, ruling out the complex Type 718 RSK spaceframe. So Porsche’s technical chief Dr. Hans Tomala started afresh.
Inspired by Chapman’s mold-breaking composite Elite, Tomala embraced glassfiber technology for the new mid-engine Type 904. Yet he chose steel box-section spars rather than full fiberglass construction, lessening noise and vibration transmission.
Ferry Porsche’s son “Butzi” penned the instantly recognizable body, outsourced to ex-aircraft firm Heinkel. Recent F1 experience was reflected in the 904’s state-of-the-art double wishbone suspension.
Although Porsche’s incoming 911 (ex-901) six-cylinder was under development, the tried-and-tested Type 587 2.0-liter four-cam, four-cylinder engine was installed.
The spacious engine bay could accommodate sixes and even the 2.0 flat eights later on. Initially 155 horsepower in road trim, the 904 yielded 180 with full race exhausts. Its five-speed transaxle contained 911 guts while the casing suited mid-placement.
After retirement at Daytona’s February ’64 prototypes, the 904 debuted Stateside. At Sebring it scored an international class win and 9th overall, trailing Ferraris. Nimble two-liter cars like the 904 proved better suited to twisty, rally-esque challenges like the murderous Targa Florio, where Porsche had enjoyed recent success.
The 904 continued this by winning on debut through Colin Davis and Antonio Pucci. Customer 904s took third at the ’64 Nürburgring 1,000kms and placed highest 7th overall at Le Mans. Production flexibility and competitiveness was showcased at Reims, with eight 904s finishing top-20 including 5th.
In January ’65, Böhringer and Wütherich’s 904 finished an astonishing 2nd overall on Monte Carlo Rally. No endurance wins followed but consistent podiums and class dominance continued. Special lightweight Spyder variants targeted hill climbs, though regulations hindered outright wins.
An intended 1965 second series of 100 six-cylinder 904s was aborted when rules changed, spelling the model’s premature end.
After just 120 examples including (104) fours, (10) sixes, and (6) eights, the 904 exited stage left as the Carrera 6 debuted. Its reign was fleeting but remarkable.
Credit: RM Sotheby’s
