One to Buy: ex-Porsche Hekla / Carl Thompson 1965 Porsche 904 GTS
Having created various iterations of the four-cam Carrera-engined 356 for competition use, Porsche came up with the all-new mid-engined 904 GTS to serve as a replacement for the 1964 racing season.
The 904 was the first Porsche to use a ladder-type chassis which was then draped in a handsome fibreglass body (another Porsche first). 904s were normally equipped with a 180bhp two-litre Flat 4 engine although the works team used both six and eight cylinder motors at various times while contesting the Protoype class.
During a stellar career, the 904 went on to dominate the under two-litre GT class of the 1964 and ‘65 World Sportscar Championships. Perhaps most famously, it secured an outright victory at the ‘64 Targa Florio thanks to factory drivers Antonio Pucci and Colin Davis.
Such was demand, production ultimately exceeded the 100-car requirement to qualify for the Group 3 GT category.
Currently on offer at the Grand Prix Classics showroom in La Jolla, California, is the second-to-last 904 GTS produced: chassis 107.
The third of only four Series 2 variants built, these last-of-line derivatives featured an array of uprated parts to include a reinforced chassis, improved brakes, a centre-fill gas tank, shortened doors with pull-up plastic windows and a subtly reworked Kamm-style tail.
Originally used as a promotional vehicle by Porsche of Hekla in Iceland, chassis 107 was then sold to American privateer Carl Thompson who used it for SCCA Midwest region events.
Today, this exceptional 904 GTS remains in highly correct condition having undergone a recent sympathetic restoration.
Reprinted below is Grand Prix Classics’ description:
Make: Porsche
Model: 904
Type: Carrera GTS
Year: 1965
Chassis #: 904-107
Engine: 911 2.0-Liter
Spare Engine: 4-Cam 2.0-Liter #99-111
Transaxle #: 904-014
History: The second to last 904 GTS produced, it is first used as a promotional vehicle by Porsche of Hekla, Iceland for cold-weather testing and promotional purposes. Then selling to first private owner, Dr. Carl Thompson of Toledo, Ohio.
Dr. Thompson races the 904 GTS in a variety of Midwest SCCA events. Then selling on to a series of early USA owners. Selling to a German collector, then to an owner in the UK, before returning to the USA in 2016, all well documented.
Description: The third of only four original Series 2 specification 904 Carrera GTSs built. The factory paid special attention to these late series 2 production 904s, seeing to every minute detail, ensuring that everything was correct.
Late Series reinforced chassis, center-filling gas tank, short doors with rare pull-up plastic side windows, upgraded brakes, and a reshaped tail section with a slight K-tail.
108 904 GTSs were built in total.
This 904 was extensively researched by Porsche factory expert Jurgen Barth and referenced by Jerry Pantis, in his book, The Porsche 904, 906 & 910 in the Americas. It has a well documented ownership history. A known US SCCA racing history.
Condition: A wonderfully original 904 with original body and frame with no serious accidents. A 2-Liter 911 race engine in the car. A rebuilt 2.0 Liter 4-cam engine available as a spare.
It still retains its original Hella taillights and license plate lights. The headlights, and driving/fog lights are original.
Original 904 alloy steel riveted 5.0x15 inch wheels with original 1964 date stamps.
Optional gas heater located in the left front (this was added for the purpose of cold weather testing, as the car was first sent to Porsche of Hekla, Iceland).
Original front suspension, the third series of updates. Has the lower A-arms that are curved and were unique to the final production run. Rear suspension is original. Original brake system, all calipers, ATE brake reservoirs, and one of few 904’s retaining a working emergency brake.
Original interior and exterior steering components. Manual adjustable steering column is intact. Original pedals. Correct and original seat tub, dash, and interior fittings. Rare pull up windows still intact. Original door handles and latches. Original center-fill tank. Original Behr type front oiler cooler. The electrical is original, including wiper motor & cover, most of the switches, turn signal and flashers, and they work.
Of Note:
One of only four second series examples with the factory updates. Ready to be used as intended.
Documented ownership
Documented race history
Period photographs
911 2.0-Liter engine in the car
Rebuilt 4-cam 2.0-Liter spare engine available (#99-111)
Featured in Jurgen Barth’s 904 book
Featured in Jerry Pantis’ 904 book
One of the most original survivor 904 GTSs
Original body
Original frame
Original small parts
Sympathetic restoration by DK Engineering in the UK
