About
The Carrera GT / GTS are very special cars. It covers the rare 924 Carrera GT, the even rarer 924 Carrera GTS, the exotic 924 Carrera GTR and the über exotic 924 Carrera GTP models produced in the early 1980s. Based on the turbo version of the 924, the 924 Carrera GT was developed by Porsche as a homologation version to meet Group 4 racing regulations, in order for the company to compete in the 1980 Le Mans 24 hour race. It incorporated wider front and rear wings similar to those seen on a styling concept shown the previous year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These were styling trends that would eventually appear in the 924’s replacement, the 944. The GT and GTS versions were the only front engined water cooled cars of the 80s to carry the highly esteemed Carrera name.
The GTS is a more powerful version of the 924 Carrera GT and is distinguishable by its perspex headlamp covers (instead of the pop-up headlights on the GT), and an intercooler in front of the engine rather than on top of it. Just fifty nine 924 Carrera GTSs were produced by the Weissach competitions department, 15 of which were lightweight Club Sport cars, that were fitted with roll cage and an engine that developed an extra 25 BHP compared to the ‘standard’ GTS. Only available in red, and distinguished by plexiglass headlight covers it is more road racer than GT. Stripped out interiors, rose-jointed suspension and a frankly terrifying 245 bhp make this the ultimate in road going Porsches. Do not just take our word for it though: Racing legend Derek Bell was given a GTS as his Porsche company car and even though other Porsches have come and gone, he still has his and loves to use it.
The 924 Carrera GTR was a full race car, also produced by the competitions department. Just 19 of these special race cars were made, of which 9 either raced or qualified for the Le Mans 24 Hour race. Powered by a 2,479cc version of the 924 Carrera GT engine, the 924 Carrera GTP was the factory entered works car actually raced in the 1980 and 1981 Le Mans races. Only 6 of these were prepared, and 3 were raced.
If you are reading this you need to be aware of one thing now- there are no cheap GTs anymore. Built for homologation purposes it is believed 406 were made. Half of those remained in Germany and only 75 made it to the UK. Even in period it was a highly prized car- all were sold before they were built.
The GT is a monster. From its huge air scoop on the bonnet to wider polyurethane wings it has a menacing presence even 40 years on. Extensive reworking of the Turbo engine added an air-to-air intercooler and 210bhp. Plushly furnished in the cabin, it is a wickedly quick car.
