An Ultra-Rare Porsche 924 Carrera GTR Could Be Yours For £500k

The 924 is something of an unloved Porsche. Critics will talk about its puny VW-sourced four-banger and associated lack of power, and they have a point: the original North American-spec examples put out just 95bhp, which even back in the late 1970s was a depressing amount for what was supposed to be a proper sports car.

The Carrera GT models - built for homologation purposes - were a completely different kettle of fish, with their wide arches and much more powerful turbocharged engines. But, they weren’t the pinnacle of the 924’s development. No, that honour goes to the GTR.

These race-spec beasts put out 370bhp from a turbocharged, dry-sumped 2.0-litre engine, and thanks to a piffling weight of just 930kg, that angry four banger allowed for a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds, and a top speed of 180mph. GTRs were also given full roll cages, adjustable suspension plus four-piston callipers with 310mm discs on stopping duties.

The cost for this? $75,000 for each of the 17 built, and that was back in 1981. Adjusted for inflation, that’s nearly $200,000. Still, as you’ll find out shortly, that’s a lot cheaper than you’ll pay for one now.

The example you see here is one of only two delivered to Japan, and had just a few outings at Fuji Speedway under the ownership of the car’s sole keeper, a businessman and classic car collector.

Over the years the GTR has clocked just 109km, but this isn’t one of those cars that’s been shut away in a garage and forgotten about. It’s been started up and run regularly, and serviced every year by the right people.

So, how much then? We’ll find out for sure when the car goes under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ Competition Car Sale on 28 July, but the given estimate is £475,000 - £575,000. Ouch.