Porsche's giant-killing 904
Born at a similar time to Porsche’s ubiquitous 911, the 904 was penned by F A Porsche, and for 1963 it featured the latest aerodynamic theories with a pointed bonnet overhang and a Kamm tail at the rear. The chassis of the 904 was entirely new, with fibreglass panels bonded to the steel chassis to increase torsional stiffness; combined with fibreglass body panels, the 904 weighed only 655 kg. Power was provided by the proven four-cam engine before later versions received six-cylinder twin-cam engines.
Typically for Porsche, the design proved to be amazingly durable and efficient, two factors that work extremely well in endurance racing, with the 904 achieving countless class wins and giant-killing performances on both sides of the Atlantic. The importance of the 904 is not to be underestimated, as it started the programme that finally resulted in the legendary 917.
This example was finished in March 1964 and delivered new to Marseille, France where it competed in a hill climb at Lodève just over a month later. With its second owner it went on to successfully compete in rallies and hill climbs throughout 1965 and ’66.
RM Sotheby's will be offering this 1964 Porsche 904 GTS at their upcoming Essen auction held between the 26-27th March. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos: Diana Varga © Courtesy of RM Sotheby's