Automobile Porsche 924 Carrera GTR IMSA 1981 in vendita

Filter

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Woodcote Park Auction event, 8 July 2026.
£150,000 - £200,000 GBP

Fascinating period history; contested circa 70 races from 1981 to 1990
Benefits from a comprehensive rebuild and preparation by BBM Sport, with approximately £200,000-worth of invoices on file
Powered by a period-correct 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine rebuilt by X-Tec; produces just under 400 horsepower
Eligible for Le Mans Classic (IMSA class), Daytona Classic, and HSR races in the United States
Accompanied by a wonderful history file, including extensive research, period images, and dozens of period race programmes

In 1979, Porsche began developing its 924 Turbo as a Group 4 GT entry for the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new coupé was fitted with an alloy roll cage, aluminium door panels and lightweight bodywork over the production car. 935 disc brakes and axles were supplied as was a larger intercooler and an uprated five-speed dog-leg manual gearbox with a limited slip differential.

The car sat on adjustable Bilstein coil-over and was powered by a 2.0-litre dry-sump inline-four engine developed a startling 375 horsepower with almost 300 lb.ft of torque, giving the GTR brilliant a 180-mph top speed.

After a trio of 924s made a successful debut in 1980, Porsche came back to Le Mans in 1981 with a single GTR and one 924 GTP powered by a new turbocharged 2.5 engine. Both finished well. Simultaneously, Porsche built 17 customer GTRs with slightly less-powerful engines.

The 924 GTR’s large, flared arches covered wide 16-inch centre-lock BBS alloy wheels fitted with internally finned turbine covers to enhance brake cooling. The windscreen was thinner, while the lightweight door shells held only a latch mechanism and frames for sliding plastic panels. The interior was all business, virtually identical to the factory racers save for the second bucket seat and harness for a passenger; there was also a fire-suppression system and additional instrumentation.

The history of this car is both extensive and fascinating, in-depth research has been carried out to objectively assert what is best understood and known about this most individual motor car. Following an accident in the 1981 Sebring 12 Hours, the Miller Porsche 924 GTR was badly damaged. It is understood that this bodyshell was purchased by Tom Winters, who commissioned the fabricator and engine builder Peter Dawes to construct him a semi-spaceframe car to make the most of the then current IMSA rules. Completed in just a few months, and asserted the nomenclature of ‘GTR006’, the car was easily distinguishable by its low-level door mirrors and is featured in the detailed book by Roy Smith “The Porsche 924 Carrera”. GTR006 made its debut being driven by Winters and Bob Bergstrom at the Coca Cola 400 Lime Rock 200 Miles, finishing 14th overall and 7th in class. Remaining with Winters until the end of the 1985, research asserts that GTR006 had by then competed in over 55 races including Sebring 12 Hours, Watkins Glen 6 Hours and was even driven at the 1984 Daytona 24 Hours by racing legend Innes Ireland – one of its four appearances at the 24 hour- long race

Alex Trad of Texas purchased chassis GTR006 when Whitehall Racing began to sell off portions of the team. GTR006 was purchased as a project and Peter Dawe, former Shop Manager at Whitehall Racing helped Trad to rebuild the car. The Porsche returned to the track in May 1988 for the Toyota Mid-Atlantic GP. Trad placed the car up for sale and in 1990 it was purchased and imported to the United Kingdom by Richard Kwolek and entered two Porsche Club GB events that year driven by Willie Green and Bill Wyckham.

Following its final competitive stint, this Porsche remained in storage for over 30 years before being acquired by the vendor in 2021 as a restoration project. Realising the significance of this 924 Carrera GTR and its North American racing pedigree, the historian Mike Shannon was asked to dig into the history and uncovered more than 70 period appearances. The car itself was sent to BBM Sport of Daventry, which embarked on a multi-year rebuild. Over £200,000 was spent during this time, with detailed invoices available to view on file. The engine was rebuilt by X-Tec in 2024, and in April 2026 the Porsche went in for dyno testing and produced a staggering 394 horsepower and 302 foot-pounds of torque at the wheels. Photographs on file show the car when discovered in 2021 and the various stages of the restoration process, including mounting points for air jacks, only found on factory Porsche 924 GTRs.

This Porsche 924 Carrera GTR now sports its 1985 Whitehall Promotions livery and is eligible for Le Mans Classic (IMSA Class), Daytona Classic, and other HSR races in the United States. Accompanied by a wonderful history file, including dozens of period race programmes, this Porsche is sure to appeal to those looking to enter historic racing events in a car that stands proud among the rest of the grid. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/wp26/.