1964 Porsche Carrera GTS (904)
The most original, best-preserved Carrera GTS in existence.
Best in Class award at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Made as a Homologation car for the FIA-GT class.
Mid-engine configuration- one of the best-balanced sports cars of the period.
One of the 14 technologically significant, well preserved, low mileage cars in the Audrain’s Begovich Collection, this 904 was shown in the 2022 exhibition Engineering + Design = Passion: The Nick Begovich Collection. Most 904s were raced and some crashed, this 904 stands as one of, if not the most original example of a 904 in the world. Driven less than 2000 miles in its 60-year life, this car has never been taken apart and was recently recommissioned by the Audrain team to be roadworthy once again. The car won Best in Class at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, proving its originality on the world’s biggest stage!
The 904 was launched by Porsche ahead of the 1964 racing season to comply with homologation regulations, designed to compete in the FIA-GT class at international racing events. The 904 was the first Porsche to utilize a fiberglass body, which was bonded to the chassis to increase structural rigidity.
With a drag coefficient of just .34 and weighing less than 1500 lbs., the car was one of the most balanced and capable sports cars of its period, consistently beating cars with far more horsepower. The mid-mounted 2.0-liter engine was referred to as the most complex four-engine of the period by periodicals, paired to a five-speed transmission with 3.362 gearing the 904 could reach 160 MPH. The 904 was not the biggest or most powerful but was often the most durable when it competed in international racing events. A victory at the grueling Targa Florio and a class victory at Le Mans solidified the car’s reputation as a reliable and consistent competitor in the world’s most important endurance races.
Today, this car serves as a reference point for other surviving 904s. As parts for the 904 are extremely hard or impossible to find, replacement parts often need to be replicated as close to original as possible. This car has and will continue to have its parts scanned for reproduction in the future. Porsche produced just 104 Carrera GTS’ for road use, and fewer survive today. Many were involved in racing incidents and have since been rebuilt or restored. This 904 retains all of its original parts just as they were new, never having been crashed or restored. The Audrain team is excited and proud to continue sharing this car, and of course, driving it as well!
Specifications:
Engine: 2.0L flat 4-cylinder 4 cam
Horsepower: 153 @ 6900 rpm
Torque: 125 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
Transmission: 5-Speed manual
0-60 MPH: 5.5 seconds
Top Speed: 157 mph
Suspension: Coil springs
Weight: 1433 lbs