With all the hubbub over live auctions in the early part of this year, it’s easy to overlook some of the juicy cars that can be had via private sales. To prove this point, we’ve uncovered a transaxle-era Porsche gem worthy of Good Find Friday.  

For some, the looming Amelia Island Concours marks the beginning of Spring. While we’ll be joining all that Florida sunshine-fed frenzy soon, we’re not quite ready to give up on Winter. So sit back, grab some cocoa, and read on!

For Porsche fans, the last couple of weeks have seen a lot of attention being paid to the F.A.T. Ice Race in Aspen. Its roots can be traced directly back to the original events commissioned to satisfy the Austrian hunger for racing even during cold winters. A national pastime, the races were held in honor of Ferdinand Porsche starting in 1952, but were canceled in 1974 due to thin ice.

Dormant for decades, the ice races were resurrected in 2019 by Ferdinand Porsche, Jr. (son of Wolfgang Porsche) as the GP Ice Race. The revived race has thrived, with dynamic displays of rare road and motorsports cars drifting around an icy airfield in the pursuit of glory and the lowest time. Rebranded as the F.A.T International Ice Race in the hope of becoming a motoring lifestyle brand, this year’s race was held in Aspen, Colorado and was unfortunately invitation only. Traditionally, the Austrian version of the event has been open to anyone for a modest fee.

What has all this got to do with today’s Good Find Friday selection? Well, my choice is completely influenced by snowy scenes of incredible cars like the Mobil1 Porsche 911 GT1 ripping it on white mountain powder.

Transaxle Porsches, or those with the engine in the front and a transmission mounted on the axle at the rear, such as the 924, 928, 944 and 968 are generally unloved when compared with the iconic 911. Like most Porsches, however, they have proven their ability to be successfully campaigned in motorsport.

In 1981 Porsche needed a race car to replace its aging models and the 924 was selected as the basis. The 924 Carrera GT was the first to be homologated to compete in Group 4 rally racing. Eventually the Carrera GTS supplanted it with a competition-only spec followed by the Carrera GTS Club Sport, the most exclusive of the bunch.

Today’s find is one of those cars. This Porsche 924 Carrera GTS is one of only 15 produced in Club Sport specification, which stripped out every bit of excess weight the factory could manage. Plastic door windows with sliding panels eliminated any weight contributed by a window mechanism, the windshield is thinner and lighter glass, and the rear hatch window is molded Plexiglass. Flared fenders and fiberglass bodywork are hallmarks of the Carrera GT, directly influencing the shape of the 944.

The lightweight modifications, plus an additional oil cooler, roll cage, fire system, uprated brakes, and an engine that delivered 270bhp made it a potent weapon. At the time, this car was both the fastest and most expensive car Porsche had ever built.

What makes this particular 924 Carrera GTS so captivating is its rally history. RM Sotheby’s write-up for the car covers this extensively, but suffice it to say the extensive competition history of this car could make it eligible for any number of shows and events worldwide. 

The rally livery, front light pod with cover, and supplemental lights on the bumper really make this particular 924 Carrera GTS Club Sport stand apart from others that have been on the market before. 

The only similar example we’ve seen is Walter Rohl’s 924 GTS Rally which was recently reconditioned and presented to him as a gift for his 75th birthday in 2021.

The asking price of €350,000 is quite reasonable given the car’s status as one of the rarest Porsches ever made, but perhaps the lack of respect for the 924 is holding it back.

That’s a darn shame, because these wintry sales photos conjure up spectacular mental images of this red beast spewing snow at next year’s F.A.T. Ice Race.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also support overseas purchases and importation. Give us a call or drop us a line!