The Porsche 904 Carrera GTS is one of the marque’s most compelling sports racers, born from Porsche’s early-1960s frustrations in Formula One and a renewed focus on sports car competition. Development began in late 1962, with Butzi Porsche penning a lightweight fibreglass coupé mounted to a box-frame chassis, creating a semi-monocoque structure.
Unveiled in spring 1964, the striking 904 immediately proved its mettle. It delivered class victories at Sebring, Spa, the Nürburgring, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with factory entries and privateers alike contributing to Porsche’s capture of the 1964 two-litre championship. The car’s success cemented its reputation as both a technological leap forward and a formidable racing weapon.
Highlighted in a recent Petrolicious video, chassis 005 is one of approximately 110 examples produced and was a works racer from the outset. Campaigned extensively in 1964 and 1965, it claimed class wins at Sebring and the Targa Florio. Its form is dictated entirely by function—purposeful, tense, and seemingly in motion even at rest.
After serving as a factory testbed with various engines, it now carries a high-revving 910 unit. Producing roughly 210 horsepower and weighing just 1,600 pounds, it rewards commitment and precision, offering a vivid connection to Porsche’s golden era of sports car racing.
