1965 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS
1965 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS
Brand
Porsche
Year
1965
Country
Germany
Generation
Porsche 904
1965 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS
Brand
Porsche
Year
1965
Country
Germany
Generation
Porsche 904
About this car
Discover the history
The 1965 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS stands out in the lineage of Porsche’s motorsport legacy, showcasing an innovative approach to racing design. Created as a response to FIA’s new GT regulations and intended as a successor to the 718, the 904 marked Porsche’s move into mid-engine sports cars, helping establish its dominance in sports car racing. Originally, Porsche designed the 904 to house a four-cylinder engine, but in the 904/6 variant, they upgraded to a flat-six engine from the 911. This new 2.0-liter, six-cylinder engine delivered a substantial power boost, generating around 210 horsepower, which was an impressive leap from the earlier four-cylinder configuration.
The construction of the 904/6 was also pioneering, featuring a fiberglass body over a steel chassis that balanced strength with lightweight efficiency, allowing for better handling and speed. This construction approach was advanced for its time and provided a streamlined aerodynamic advantage, making the 904 suitable for endurance racing. The power-to-weight ratio and mid-engine placement were optimized for the improved agility that Porsche needed on complex racing circuits, giving drivers confidence in high-speed maneuvering. The six-cylinder model also utilized a five-speed manual transmission, with closely spaced ratios that allowed for rapid acceleration while maintaining control on winding race tracks.
Racing success came quickly for the 904/6, as the car’s nimble handling and powerful engine proved highly competitive. It was notably employed by Porsche’s works team in key endurance events like the Targa Florio and Le Mans. Although it encountered formidable competition from larger, more powerful cars, the 904/6’s superior handling and reliability helped it secure respectable finishes. One of its remarkable achievements was placing well in the 1965 Targa Florio, where it showed its prowess on the challenging Sicilian terrain, favored for its balance and durability. While not always at the very front in these high-stakes competitions, the 904/6 consistently demonstrated Porsche’s commitment to building competitive racing machines, setting the stage for future models.
In the years that followed, the 904/6 became a popular choice for privateers, especially in the United States, where drivers used it for both road and track events. Many units of the 904/6 were restored and meticulously preserved, gaining recognition as valuable collectors’ items. The car’s enduring appeal is celebrated in prestigious vintage racing events like the Goodwood Revival and Monterey Historics, where its unique design and engineering continue to captivate enthusiasts. Today, the 904/6 remains a symbol of Porsche’s innovative approach to racing, bridging the gap between pure performance engineering and adaptable road-ready design. It reflects Porsche’s early commitment to creating dual-purpose vehicles that could thrive on the track while hinting at the potential for road use, a philosophy that would shape Porsche’s future racing and production cars alike.
