Overview
Chassis # 904-083
- Retains Its Original Matching-Numbers Engine, Gearbox, And Running Gear
- Extensive Period Competition History Including Tour de France, 12h of Reims, And Mont Ventoux
- One Of Just 10 Porsche 904s Upgraded To Desirable Series 2 Specification In Period
- Accompanied by FIA Historical Technical Passport
- Documented Continuous History From New With Extensive Period Photos
Following Porsche’s unsuccessful short stint in Formula 1 in 1962, Porsche refocused their efforts towards sportscar racing which in turn birthed the Porsche 904. Initially tested in August of 1963, the 904 would be officially unveiled on November 26th, 1963 at the Solitude race track in nearby Stuttgart.
Each 904 was built from a steel chassis, with a four-cam flat-four, mounted right in the middle. The front suspension featured double-wishbones in the front lifted right off the Type 804 Formula 1 car from the previous season, and its ZF-sourced rack-and-pinion steering was borrowed from the 901, or as it was later named, the 911.
The first deliveries began in January of 1964, with the first examples immediately being entered into competition in Riverside, CA, in February, only 1 month later. By 1965, Porsche had designed the 904 to be able to compete in various International FIA-GT class racing events and the street-legal variant from 1964 would also comply with FIA Group 3 regulations.
Originally only 200 Porsche 904s were planned to be built, however sometime throughout the production this figure was cut down to only 100. Due to on track incidents and other customer demands, Porsche would go on to produce 108 examples, all of which are notated in order by production date, from chassis #904-001 to #904-108.
The exceptional 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS presented here, exclusively by Animoya Garage was originally delivered to Paris-based Porsche Distributor Sonauto in April of 1964.
Its first several years were spent in France under the ownership of amateur racers Claude Barbier, Valentin Aldy, and Cyr Febbraio racing in legendary racing events such as the 12 hours of Rheims, Coupes des Alpes, Rally Flandres, Rally Ardennes, Course de Cote Ceyreste, Chamrousse, Routes de Nord, and Tour de Course.
Early on 083 found success with Barbier as the pilot finishing 2nd overall at the Rally Flandres Hainau, 3rd overall at the Slalom Coupe d’Europe in Luxembourg, as well as 2nd overall at Rally Ardennes. Shortly thereafter, 083 was involved in a wreck where it was then sent back to the factory for repair, Porsche fitted a new chassis, and body while retaining important components such as the original gearbox, engine, and running gear. As production continued, the need for more power grew more apparent, leading Porsche to begin supplying cars with a Flat-6, these examples are commonly referred to as Series 2 cars which 083 is a beneficiary of. Upgrades didn't stop at the engine however, the Series 2 examples had stronger chassis, a central fuel filler, a kamm tail, wind-up windows, and “short doors.” In total, it is believed just 10 examples received these upgrades in period.
In 1966, 1967, and 1968, 083 continued to race under Valentin Aldy and Cyr Febbraio respectively. A notable highlight from Valentin’s tenure include a 5th overall at Course de Cote Cyreste. In 1967, Febbraio recorded a 3rd place overall finish at the Course de Cote Faron, a 4th place overall at the Rallye Ronde Cevenole, as well as a 3rd overall at the Course de Cote Faron again, the following year.
In 1971, 083 made its way back to Germany, with help from renowned Porsche specialist Manfred Freisinger who would go on to campaign many significant racing Porsches. It remained in Germany for the next 35 years under owners Franz Bubets and Jurgen Schemel. In the 1990s, Schemel would uncover the car and begin a sympathetic restoration of the fiber-glass shell done by some of the world's best 904 experts at the time. In 2007, the car was brought to the UK by James Lindsay, where he would compete in numerous historical events and even competed at Goodwood Revival as well as complete the Tour Auto.
Between 2010-2014, the car spent time in the United States before returning to the UK after being sourced for a private client of a notable British car dealer. At the time, the standards for what quality of 904 would suffice were simple - no excuses, and essentially the very best. With only a handful of 904s remaining with their matching-numbers engine and gearbox, 083 fit the bill. After confirming the provenance of 083 with the guidance of Andy Prill, a Porsche expert, the 904 was fitted with a new Flat-6 similar to what could be found in a 904/6 and leaving the original 4-cam engine on a stand.
Today, this 904 presents as one of the very best examples in existence, complete with its matching-numbers engine and gearbox, extensive documentation and period photos, invoices, details of its Historical Technical Passport for competition, and is ready for immediate enjoyment on the road or the race track.
