Time warp Porsche 924GTR to go under the hammer

An original, one owner, low-mileage Porsche 924 GTR is heading to auction next month. The 109km-from-new 1981 Carrera GTR has been hidden in Japan for 30 years but will now headline Silverstone Auctions’ Competition Car Sale on 28 July at the Silverstone Classic.

Delivered new to Japan in 1981 by Porsche importer Garage Italya, this is one of only two cars delivered to the country, with the other example used extensively for racing. In 1983, after being stored for two years, it was purchased by a Japanese businessman and classic car enthusiast who wanted to add it to his private collection.

This factory-built Porsche race car was only used a handful of times on the track at Suzuka and the Fuji Speedway. On each occasion, the owner made a record of the distance travelled at each track day. According to his records, the car covered just 109 kilometres in the first seven years of ownership, after which the 924 was carefully tucked away in his two-storey garage.

Removed from storage each year, the car was taken on a trailer to be serviced, brought back, and then replaced in the garage. From 1981 to 2006, the car was serviced by Porsche specialist Tomei Car Service, then latterly by Porsche specialist Garage Tool Box. In the intervening period, the engine was started and run regularly.

Now for sale at the Silverstone Classic auction, this Porsche is estimated to fetch between £475,000 and £575,000. The car comes with a Japanese title document and records of its minimal usage and extensive maintenance.

Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said, ‘This fantastic car can only be described as a time capsule with everything original throughout, even down to handwritten stickers on the loom and the last two numbers of the chassis and engine number written on the ECU in marker pen.

Just 17 examples of the 924 Carrera GTR were made available to private customers at a cost of $75,000. Benefitting from constant development, the cars were delivered from Porsche with fully integrated roll cages, fully adjustable suspension and four-piston 935 brake callipers squeezing larger 31cm discs.

The engine was a highly modified version of the 2.0-litre motor used in all 924s, featuring dry sump lubrication, which helped it produce 375bhp. Weighing just 930kg, the GTR was good for 180mph and 0-60mph took 4.7 seconds.

An original, one owner, low-mileage Porsche 924 GTR is heading to auction next month. The 109km-from-new 1981 Carrera GTR has been hidden in Japan for 30 years but will now headline Silverstone Auctions’ Competition Car Sale on 28 July at the Silverstone Classic.

Delivered new to Japan in 1981 by Porsche importer Garage Italya, this is one of only two cars delivered to the country, with the other example used extensively for racing. In 1983, after being stored for two years, it was purchased by a Japanese businessman and classic car enthusiast who wanted to add it to his private collection.

This factory-built Porsche race car was only used a handful of times on the track at Suzuka and the Fuji Speedway. On each occasion, the owner made a record of the distance travelled at each track day. According to his records, the car covered just 109 kilometres in the first seven years of ownership, after which the 924 was carefully tucked away in his two-storey garage.

Removed from storage each year, the car was taken on a trailer to be serviced, brought back, and then replaced in the garage. From 1981 to 2006, the car was serviced by Porsche specialist Tomei Car Service, then latterly by Porsche specialist Garage Tool Box. In the intervening period, the engine was started and run regularly.

Now for sale at the Silverstone Classic auction, this Porsche is estimated to fetch between £475,000 and £575,000. The car comes with a Japanese title document and records of its minimal usage and extensive maintenance.

Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said, ‘This fantastic car can only be described as a time capsule with everything original throughout, even down to handwritten stickers on the loom and the last two numbers of the chassis and engine number written on the ECU in marker pen.

Just 17 examples of the 924 Carrera GTR were made available to private customers at a cost of $75,000. Benefitting from constant development, the cars were delivered from Porsche with fully integrated roll cages, fully adjustable suspension and four-piston 935 brake callipers squeezing larger 31cm discs.

The engine was a highly modified version of the 2.0-litre motor used in all 924s, featuring dry sump lubrication, which helped it produce 375bhp. Weighing just 930kg, the GTR was good for 180mph and 0-60mph took 4.7 seconds.