1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Minichamps - 4012138135482 (diecast)
Published 06/26/18
In the early 70’s, Porsche needed a substitute for the Yucky (aka 914) . At the same time, Volkswagen wanted a sports car, so the two companies partnered-up for the project. However, VW stipulated that Porsche should design a car that used an existing VW/Audi inline-4 engine. The project was evolving but due to the 1973 Oil Crisis, VW resolved to kill the project. Since Porsche still needed a new car, they bought the project back from VW. By late 1975 they presented the first 924.
Even though the new car was being praised for its styling, handling, fuel economy, and reliability, the 924 was highly criticized for being under-powered, but being cheap to produce, it became a very profitable model for Porsche. To address the power issues and with an eye towards motor racing, in 1981 Porsche introduced the 924 Carrera GT, basically a 924 with turbo-charging and an intercooler. The car was powered by the M31.50 engine, the same water-cooled 1824 cm³ inline-4 used in the regular 924, but with the addition of a KKK turbo and a Langerer & Reich intercooler, delivering 210 hp.
Porsche built a total of 406 Carrera GTs in 1981, all in red, black or silver. They’re easily recognizable by the air scoop for the intercooler on the hood. This is the first of the so-called “Transaxle Porsches” to enter the Garage, and I’m quite happy with it. Definitively not a fancy model, I would say as honest as my 993 Turbo. But the absent dead eyes on the Carrera GT 924 made me appreciate it more than the Turbo. I got it for a fantastic price, but even at twice that I would have been REALLY happy with it.