Porsches come from Germany, both road cars and race cars alike. But in 1980, the factory entered three 924s in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, each representing a different country: one from Germany, another from the United States, and a third from Great Britain. It was the only time that a factory racing Porsche ever sported the Union Jack. 35 years later, Porsche Cars GB dug that car out of the archives and set about restoring it. And now that restoration is complete.
Rather than farm it all out, or have the restoration completed in Germany, Porsche Cars GB divided the task between its own Classic Partner Centers, garages certified by the factory to service and restore vintage Porsches. The Glasgow location was tasked with handling the suspension and brakes, Swindon with the engine, Hatfield the gearbox, and Leeds the plumbing and electronics. That left only the bodywork, which Porsche contracted to Road & Race Restorations – one of the few such specialists endorsed by the automaker.
Unfortunately the vehicle in question didn’t win at Le Mans that year. Cars constructed and entered by Jean Rondeau took both the overall and GTP class wins that year, with the German team’s #4 Porsche 924 landing on the class podium and the British #2 car finishing fifth in class and twelfth overall.
Just the same, it was a high point in the history of Porsche in the UK, and one that’s now been properly preserved. Watch the story in brief in the video below and visit the automaker’s website for more.