1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GT

Porsche had ambitions to enter the Group 4 Sports Car Class for Le Mans in 1980, and based their car on their successful 924 mainstream model. Naturally, in order to withstand the rigours of 24 hours around Le Sarthe, the full race cars would have to be substantially different from their 'shopping' siblings. Firstly however, Porsche had to comply with the FIA Homologation Regulations dealing with the construction and quantities produced of a relevant road-car on which the 'racer' was to be based.The result was the 924 Carrera GT (labelled 937 and 938-rhd) and all non-essential elements were removed from the car in an effort to reduce weight. Standard specification included a close ratio, dog-leg, 5 speed gearbox, LSD, Bilstein shock absorbers, polyurethane front and rear flared guards, a polyurethane front spoiler, and a bonnet mounted air scoop for the intercooler. With a 2-litre turbo-charged engine producing 210 bhp, it will reach a top speed of 150 mph and hits 60 mph in an impressive 6.5 seconds. According to its Porsche "Certificate of Authenticity", NOD 582W rolled off the line on 9th December 1980 and was a 1981 model, 924 Carrera GT finished in Black (A1/A1) with a Black leatherette interior and Black/ Red Pinstripe seats. It's recorded as having been optioned with: Limited Slip Diff, Heated/Electric Door Mirrors, Headlamp Washers, Forges Alloy Wheels, Rear Wiper, Leather Four-Spoke Steering Wheel, Electric Windows, Aerial and Speakers, Sun Roof and Sport Shock Absorbers. Up until now this rare Porsche has been enjoyed by nine owners, a figure that may seem a touch on the high side until you sit down and have a look at the car's history file and realise that, very very unusually, they all seem to have kept detailed records of the car's welfare whilst in their hands. For example, owner number four was John Minett who acquired the car on 22/6/84 and had it serviced on 29/6/84 (mileage 30,872), on 30/1184 (40,379), 19/9/85 (58,891) and again on 8/9/86 (77,896).Later the car was extensively serviced with new disc brakes, a complete engine rebuild and an almost complete mechanical overhaul, the work being carried out by the respected team at Wood & Pickett. This rebuild was completed on 6/6/89 and during the course of this work the speedometer was replaced (they were known to fail). It has not been possible to establish the exact mileage at this point but the 29,000 odd miles that have been covered since can be corroborated.And so it continues, with the next three owners (until 2013) faithfully servicing the car and keeping exact records of any additional work carried out and, naturally, all the MoTs. The car was used lightly from 2004 until 2007 (950 miles in total) and was, in fact, placed on SORN from 1/01/2008 until 2013. On 11/02/2013, the vehicle was sold to Roy Smith. Roy is an established author of books about classic cars and an acknowledged expert on the 924 Carrera, and a copy of his tome on these cars, "Porsche; The 924 Carrera- Evolution to Excellence" will accompany the car. It's fair to assume that a man of his standing in the 924 world would require his car to be spot-on. In common with previous owners, Roy has given the car whatever attention it required (including many electrical parts, new clutch master cylinder, exchange alternator and some 'smart repairs ' to the paintwork.) It has had a cam-belt, oil change and a full service less than 1,500 miles ago. Roy Smith sold the car to our current vendor in August 2015.The current mileage is just over 29,000 indicated, which equates to around 110,000 in 35 years. This is a car that has been used and loved by a number of dedicated owners and, although never restored, is in very good overall condition outside, inside and mechanically.The car is accompanied by its V5, Porsche CoA, fully stamped service records, Drivers Manual, MoTs and lots of information and invoices from every owner. Remarkable.These are rare cars. Just 406 were ever made, 75 for the UK market (only 20 in Black) and these delightful driver's cars are seemingly undervalued given their desirable status as the ultimate 924. NOD 582W is a sound, original example of these focussed road-racers and has provenance with a capital P.