One to Buy: ex-Carlos Noce / Luigi Mazzoni 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Club Sport
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Four-and-a-half years after the 924 was launched in late 1975, Porsche embarked on a competition programme with its entry-level model that famously resulted in a sixth place finish first time out at the 1980 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The 924 that appeared at la Sarthe was based on Porsche’s new 924 Carrera GT that went on sale that same month. A Group 4 homologation special of which 400 were required by the rule makers, the Carrera GT featured an array of additions over a regular 924 Turbo to include uprated suspension and cooling, wider wheels and fenders, a tuned engine, a beefed-up gearbox, revised aero and a sportier interior.
Beyond the Carrera GT’s already intoxicating specification, further enhanced GTS and GTS Club Sport variants were offered to those customers that either wanted to compete or simply add the most expensive limited production Porsche of its time to their collection.
In total, just 15 examples of the highly prized 924 Carrera GTS were produced in Club Sport trim, one of which is currently on offer with the RM Sotheby’s Private Sales department.
Chassis ‘710021’ was supplied new to Carlos Noce in Italy whose Sportwagen team prepared the car for Luigi Mazzoni and his navigator, Adriano Castagnara, to use in domestic rallies between 1982 and ‘83.
Luigi Mazzoni subsequently went on to purchase chassis ‘710021’ from Carlos Noce, after which the car went through the hands of a couple more Italian collectors before being exported to Norway in 2000.
Following an extended period in storage, chassis ‘710021’ has recently been recommissioned and represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Porsche’s most sought after 1980s homologation specials with a period competition history.
