PICK UP THE PACE
While the 924 was being evaluated on the road, Porsche was hard at work on versions of the front-engined, water-cooled model for rallying and racing. In the first of a two-part series, we take a look at events surrounding development of the 924 Carrera GT, including the arrival of the 924 GTP at Le Mans in 1980…
Words Karl Ludvigsen Photography Porsche
P
orsche hinted at a fast future for the 924 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1979. Aggressively poised on the manufacturer’s stand was a pure expression of speed — a concept car based on a 924 body shell. Wide slotted 928-style alloys loomed large in wheelhouses seemingly barely able to contain them. Front fenders were deeply flared, add-on bulges at the rear housed fat racing tyres, the
car was lowered half an inch over the standard 924 and attention to underbody airflow was evident though a deep slotted front skirt. Additionally, the rear window carried a larger version of the wraparound spoiler characterising the 924 Turbo. Porsche’s chief designer, Anatole ‘Tony’ Lapine, went all-out on the concept car’s interior. Its special three-spoke steering wheel featured a zipper down its centre, hinting at surprises within. The coupe was trimmed strictly as a
two-seater with form-fitting bucket seats and shoulder harnesses. Each door had a purse-like leather holdall on its surface. The instrument panel was unmistakably 924, but stripped to bare essentials. The interior colour was overwhelmingly red. Equally striking on the white Frankfurt show car was the name Carrera, outlined in red atop the right front fender. Here was a sacred Porsche model name associated only with its quickest and rawest cars, now affixed to an apparently humble four-cylinder 924 derivative. To
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