To this day, Porshe’s expansive catalog of vehicles remains one of the most intricate and notable in all of automotive manufacturing. The German developer’s 1960-era models, however, hold their own special place within the racing and road-faring communities, especially the 904 Carrerra GTS — a groundbreaking platform that would usher in a series of new technological advancements for the brand.
The 1964 Porshe 904 Carrera GTS that you see here is an unprecedented model that’s remained in the care of its current owner for over 50 years. As the first model to don Porsche’s newly-designed fiberglass bodywork during the era, the car’s 1,433-pound chassis was paired with an advanced Ernst Fuhrmann-designed four-cam, four-cylinder engine, producing over 180 horsepower on both the track and traditional roadway. Known as “chassis 044,” this finely-tuned specimen was delivered from the factory to Ernesto Prinoth, an Italian race car driver and snow vehicle manufacturer, before falling into the hands of California Porsche enthusiasts, Joseph Pfister and Leslie Gunnarson. Under Gunnarson’s ownership, the vehicle would shed its Silver Metallic hue and adopt a more coastal Porsche Red colorway, winning first prize at the 1969 Porsche Parade. Now, the matching-numbers example is listed for sale via Gooding & Co. for an undisclosed sum.
