One to Buy: unraced ex-Mitsuwa Motors 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTR
With Porsche expected to permanently drop the 911 which was no longer being raced, management decided to take the entry-level 924 racing and sprinkle a little stardust on the somewhat maligned model.
To this end, following the launch of a turbocharged 924 at Geneva in March 1979, a Carrera GT-badged Group 4 homologation special was unveiled six months later. Production of the Carrera GT began the following June, the same month that a trio of factory supported 924s finished sixth, twelfth and thirteenth overall at Le Mans.
In addition to the regular Carrera GT, 400 of which had to be built to qualify for the Group 4 category, Porsche also offered a further enhanced GTS suitable for road or competition use and the race-only GTR which went on to have a successful on-track career.
Just 17 examples of the 924 Carrera GTR were built by Porsche, a remarkable example of which, chassis 72010, is heading for Bonhams Scottsdale auction in Arizona on January 25th.
Chassis 72010 was supplied new in 1981 to Porsche’s Japanese distributor, the Mitsuwa Motor Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, with whom it remained, un-raced, until 1983. At this point, the still delivery mileage GTR was sold to a Japanese collector who preserved it for the next couple of decades.
By 2016, chassis 72010 had found its way to the UK and had still reputedly covered only 109km. Since then, the car has been exported to the Unites States where it currently resides.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
VIN: WP0ZZZ93ZBS72010
One of just 17 customer race cars built at Weissach
Reportedly never raced in period
The ultimate transaxle Porsche for privateer racers
Delivered new to Japan, and used sparingly since
Exceptionally original, unmodified condition
THE PORSCHE 924 CARRERA GTR
In the late 1970s, Porsche began developing the new water-cooled 924 Turbo into a full-fledged racing weapon, with the aim of taking on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Contrary to Porsche's usual objective of overall victory, the directors instead charged motorsport boss Norbert Singer to show Porsche customers and skeptics that the front-engine, water-cooled, Audi-powered 924 was indeed a "real Porsche."
At the 1980 running of the 24-hour classic, Porsche entered three purpose-built 924 prototypes in the then-new GTP category. Despite some teething problems for two of the three works cars, the 924 GTP of Jürgen Barth/Manfred Schürti finished 6th overall and 3rd in the GTP class – an impressive debut and definitive response to those who doubted the 924's capability.
Three distinct customer versions of the 924 were born of this racing program. The road-going 924 Carrera GT, the lightened and focused Carrera GTS homologation special (including the lightweight, caged Club Sport model), and the full-fledged customer racing machine, the Carrera GTR.
The latter was a direct descendant of works GTP program, and 17 cars were produced at the Weissach race department for customers around the world, with several coming to the USA to run in the booming IMSA sports car series.
The GTR was stripped to the essentials with an integrated aluminum roll cage, massively widened lightweight bodywork, and a dry-sump engine belting out 375 horsepower at 6,400rpm. It also had fully adjustable suspension with titanium springs, 917-derived disc brakes, BBS center-lock 3-piece wheels, and 100% locking differential.
At a scant 2,050 pounds, the featherweight 924 GTR could top 180mph in race trim.
As a razor-sharp motorsport tool, most GTRs saw duty on track, with at least 9 heading to Le Mans through the years, and taking starring roles in the hotly contested IMSA GTO category, with the likes of Porsche legends Brumos, Kremer, and Al Holbert fielding entries as well as privateers.
As sometimes happens, at least one or two of the 17 built escaped the ravages of track use, only to re-emerge as the ultimate collector's Transaxle Porsche.
THE CAR OFFERED
This remarkable 924, sequence number 72010 is believed to be one of just two customer GTRs sold new to Japan. The importer immediately put it in storage for about two years, before selling it to a Japanese businessman, who in turn put it on display in his private collection.
It is said to have come out its garage display once a year to be transported to Porsche specialists for annual service and run occasionally to ensure fluids could circulate in the engine.
It has been said that the car ran a few times at Suzuka and Fuji, though no record exists of the car having been raced.
In 2016, had found its way to the UK, and was sold that year with a scant 109km on the clock.
Having never been run in the heat of competition, this incredibly special 924 GTR remains in exceptionally original condition and is undoubtedly one of the most original, unmolested Porsches we have ever encountered.
As one of just 17 924 GTRs built, and one of the only ones never raced, it represents a truly one-off opportunity to acquire the ultimate transaxle Porsche, and a significant milestone in Stuttgart's storied motorsport history.
