1981 Porsche 924 GTR

Type: IMSA GTU
Color: Löwenbräu sponsorship livery of white, blue and teal
Chassis #: 04

History: Porsche Motorsports built 17 924 GTR full competition cars. The factory cars were raced in FIA World Endurance races and finished 6th overall at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans and 7th overall at 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of those factory drivers was noted Porsche stalwart and USA Porsche dealer Al Holbert. Porsche Motorsports supplied Holbert Racing with six 924 bodies in white and racing components. These cars were then built into full competition cars and raced in the USA IMSA and Trans AM series where they had great success.

924-004 was driven by Doc Bundy, Hurley Haywood, Elliot Forbes Robinson and Al Holbert. During 1981-1982 it was raced by Holbert Racing in the SCCA Trans AM series. Then selling in 1983 to Bruce Leven’s Bayside Disposal Racing, where it was raced in the IMSA Camel GT Series in the GTU category.

924-004 is among the most successful Porsche 924 GTRs in USA race history. It ran two years of SCCA Trans AM and two years of IMSA Camel GT, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. It was driven by some of the USA’s most successful drivers. It was retired from racing competition in 1986.

After 1986, it has just a few owners and is then restored to its period livery and raced in some of the best historic events. It participated in Rennsport V (2016) and most recently competed in Rennsport VI (2018) at Raceway Laguna Seca. As well as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in 2019. Verified by Holbert Racing Crew Chief Paul Weinberger.

Condition: A restoration was done in 2014 by Matt Crandall at Speed Sports (Milwaukee, Oregon) returning the car to its original period Lowenbrau sponsor livery. After restoration it is inspected by Gerber Motorsports (Seattle, WA), race prepped by Race craft (Woodinville, WA) then brought down to Northern CA, where it is briefly maintained by Competition Touring Cars (Sonoma, CA). Then selling to its present owner, it is maintained by Vintage Racing Motors (Redmond, Washington). There it received detailed race prep to include replacing the cylinder head, new head gasket, rebuilt the two water pumps (one for the block, one for the head). Installed a water cooled turbo to reduce the turbo lag by 30-40%. Installed an electric water pump to circulate water to the turbo for cooling. Also rebuilt the transaxle with new bearings, syncros and a new OS Giken limited slip, in additional to the other normal race prep. There are receipts for close to $50,000 in mechanical improvements to bring the car up to racing standards. It is well prepared and ready to go to the track.

Technical Specs:

1,984 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
Single Water-Cooled Turbo Charger
Estimated 375 HP at 7,000 RPM (320 hp at 1.7 Bar Boost)
5-Speed Manual Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension with MacPherson Struts
Independent Rear Suspension with Coil-Over Shock Absorbers
Weight 2050 lbs dry

Ownership: Documented – see separate list.

Race History: Documented – see separate list.

Of Note: Holbert 924-004 is eligible for events such as Le Mans Classic, HSR Classic 24 Hour Daytona and Classic Sebring 12 Hour. It took part in Rennsport Reunion and the 2019 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which celebrated 50 years of IMSA racing.

Discussed in the book Porsche 924 Carrera. Has racing log book and original Porsche Factory workshop and parts manual. Excellent restoration records and photos.

Spares: Considerable – see separate list.

Price: Inquire.

Call 858-459-3500 for more details