1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupe

Argued by many to be the most beautiful car ever built by Porsche, the 904 Carrera GTS was something of a reminder for the company. Leaving Formula One and focusing on sportscars once again, the 904 would be something of the ultimate track day car. Able to be driven to the track, compete, win and drive home, the car would help Porsche quickly return to its roots.

Intended for the FIA Group 3GT category, the new car would be beautifully designed, and yet, would be advanced in many respects. Plastic composites and fiberglass on a steel frame gave the car a semi-monocoque chassis. The mid-engine arrangement would be well balanced within the low center of gravity design giving the car great stability and superior handling. This superior handling would enable a smaller 2.0-liter flat-six engine to be used and the effects would be devastating to the competition.

Over the competitive lifetime of the 904 it would be better served, and easier, to list what races it had not achieved victory. Sebring, the Nurburgring, Targa Florio, Spa, Reims, Paris and many others would be sites where the 904 reigned supreme. However, Porsche would realize they were ready to make their push toward that elusive overall victory at Le Mans when the 904 earned a first through fourth sweep in class. Over the course of two years just a little more than 100 examples of the 904 would be built. It would be remarkable to consider the achievements those few numbers reached.

The 904 couldn't last forever, despite its huge success. Still, how could such a successful car be brought to an end when it is still widely competitive? This was the dilemma Porsche faced in 1965. They had the new 906 and it was proving just as capable. Nevertheless, production would begin on the second series of the 904 Carrera GTS.

At the last moment, those within the company would make the difficult decision to cease production of the 904. All in all, just four of the 'Series 2' specification 904 GTSes would ever be built. 904-107 would be one of them.

Completed in 1965, 904-107 would be the penultimate example of the four-cylinder models. It would be shipped to Iceland with its special upgrades, which included a center-filling gas tank, reinforced chassis, newer brakes, plastic pull-up side windows, short doors and that lovely 'Kamm-like' backend.

Following its trip to the north Atlantic, the 904 would return to Europe and end up in West Germany until it made its way to the United States and an amateur racing driver Dr. Carl Armstrong who was from Toledo, Ohio. He would travel to New York City where he would pick up the car and promptly drive it all the way back home.

Throughout 1968, Armstrong would compete very successful with the car. He would earn a couple of victories at Waterford Hills in Michigan and would also come away with a number of podium finishes at races all throughout the region.

Racing is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it for those that shy away from some tough struggles. This particular car would suffer some damage and would need its transaxle fixed. There would also be instances of trouble with the flywheel and the rather troublesome head gasket failure on the four-cam engine. Nonetheless, the car would continue to fight and perform well. Then, in 1969, Armstrong would purchase a 906 and would no longer have any use for his 904. At this time he would sell the car to Robert Fergus, the owner of Midwest Volkswagen located in Dublin, Ohio.

Though refinished in a white with yellow trim, the 904 would not stay with Fergus long. Instead, the car would venture south to Alabama where it would become the property of George Reilly. Reilly would install a correct 904 transmission. He would then replace the engine using a 911S engine as a substitute.

The Porsche would remain with Reilly for some three decades. Then, in 2001, Reilly would reinstall the original engine in the car and would offer it for sale where Cal Turner would become the car's proud new owner. Sadly, the original engine would seize on Turner during an event at Summit Point. The engine would be replaced with a 911 engine and the original would be sold separately to Lothar Hoess. The car would end up passing on to another owner before it made its way to DK Engineering in 2005. At that time, the car would undergo restoration whereby as much as possible of the car's original equipment would be spared.

Though the engine would be gone, most of the rest of the car would remain highly original. From its shafts to its wheels and gas tank, 904-107 would be nearly as original within as without. It remains as such to this very day.

Offered as part of RM Auction's 2015 Scottsdale event, the 1965 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, chassis 904-107, wouldn't just be a shell of its former self. Inside and out, 904-107 is a trip back in time. What's more, it would come with a 1964 Type 587/3 904 engine. Listed as a spare, the engine helps, and is ready to complete a package that was the very epitome of success and rarity.

Pre-auction estimates for the Porsche 904 would range from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000.

By Jeremy McMullen