Porsche front runners at the Nec

The 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking Porsche 924 is among the attractions on offer at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show when it returns to Birmingham’s NEC this autumn.

Porsche’s front-engine transaxle 924 helped to kick-start a new generation of sports cars for the company that had previously been focused on the 911 and its rear engine layout.

Porsche Cars GB’s stand in Hall 1 at the NEC on 11-13 November will showcase the finalists from its ’40 years at the front’ 924 model restoration competition. Last year, the Porsche Centre network was challenged with sourcing and restoring a classic transaxle car.

The winner of that dealer network skills test was Porsche Centre Guildford and its recommended repairer, Premier Panel Skills, for its restoration of a 968 Club Sport. This and the 15 other competition cars will be displayed alongside a recently restored 924 Carrera GTP Le Mans racer.

In 1980 Porsche entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans with three examples of the new car fielded by teams from Germany, USA and Great Britain in the Prototype class. Porsche 924 GTP 002 was driven by Tony Dron and Andy Rouse and remains the only Porsche factory owned racing car ever to compete under a British flag.

The car was officially retired in 1982 and then put into storage. Resurfacing in 2015, it still carries the scars of racing and testing with many parts missing or damaged. Its restoration was carried out by Porsche Cars GB together with its four Classic Partner Centres in Leeds, Swindon, Glasgow and Hatfield working with Road & Race Restorations.

Tickets for the show are on sale now, and a number of advance packages are being offered. Check online for more.