1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS

In 1963, the imminent threat of Abarth’s Simca 2000, which was to be raced in the European 2-liter championship, was the impetus for Porsche’s creation of the Carrera GTS. Porsche chassis designer Hans Tomala decided the required production run of 100 cars could not be quickly and cost-effectively produced in the traditional welded-tube frame format. He therefore specified chassis construction combining tubular and flat-sheet steel construction, bonded to a fiberglass body structure.

Design of the body was entrusted to company stylist Ferdinand Porsche III, known affectionately as Butzi. Butzi’s attractive 904 lines and efficient chassis sported independent wishbone suspension with coil-overs, four-wheel disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. Weight distribution was excellent since, unlike the 356 and 911 road cars, the engine was installed ahead of the rear axle with the five-speed gearbox behind it. Most 904s were fitted with an upgraded...