I’ve always been a fan of the Porsche 904. Built in 1963, and making its racing debut in 1964, Porsche built a little over 100 of these flat four, street-legal racers in order to meet the FIA Group 3 (Grand Touring) homologation rules. Today, if you want a 904 you have two choices. You can either hire a broker and hope to find a new one (assuming you have the seven figures needed to purchase one) or you can buy a kit or replica from one of the two or three better known builders (Beck, Martin Walker, etc.).
Enter Gullwing America and Arturo Alonso
Gullwing America is a specialty coachworks firm headed by Arturo Alonso in San Antonio, TX. A quick search of the web will lead you to information on his recreation of the Mercedes 300SL and even a classic Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlineta. What’s unclear in the articles is if any of these cars have ever been built, hence the name of this post.
According to information on worldcarfans.com if the P/904 does get built, it will be done using a Porsche Boxster (987 series) as the platform with a body crafted from composite materials. Unlike the original 904s, the P/904 prototype will use the Boxster’s 3.4 liter engine to produce 291 hp (as compared to 198 hp in the original) and will wear custom-designed 5 spoke wheels (they look a lot like the new Fuchs to me). Gullwing America will add adjustable suspension and sports tuned exhaust to their interpretation of this classic Porsche.
While I’d like the option of more power than what the Boxster platform provides (I’m assuming this re-make will be much heavier than the original) and don’t care for the Carrera script on the doors, if the finished version stays true to these renderings above it will be one sharp looking replica. However, keep in mind that the expected price of 70,000 Euros (about $92K) seems a bit steep considering it doesn’t include the donor car or any customizations.
What do you think? Should it be built?
Related Porsche Posts
How to buy a Lamborghini on a used Porsche budget
Is it a Porsche? Strosek? Ferrari? Porschari!!!
[Source: worldcarfans.com]
View Comments (16)
It should be built. It insults no heritage, and looks different enough that it should not spark a lawsuit. This is, after all, the Land of Opportunity. And just think: we may be able to help turn this moribund economy around with more entrepreneurs like this guy!
I think Butzi would role over in his grave. His exquisite lines have been compromised, especially with that god-awful spoiler on the back. There are plenty of more faithful replicas of 904s being built today, notably in the UK. The others are right that it should be considered like a Beck replica, though at least they are more true to the original design. Go ahead and build it and I am sure it will sell well and join many other distorted replicas of great cars out there.
@Ronald, we echo your sentiment. We would just like to see the pricing come down slightly to fall more in-line with a Beck (at least here in the States). With that said, if it can perform significantly better than a Beck, than it may be able to justify the steep entry price as it sure does look nicer.
Nice, price is way too high, why not use a CGT Motor, then it will worth
$120 just like a GT 3 but much faster:)
@Alex,
The last two CGT motors we've seen for sale went for well north of $100k. By the time you found and mated the rest of the drive-train, built a rolling chassis, put in the brakes to handle it (most likely ceramics), etc. your build costs would be north of $250k.
Personally, I simply like to see them tune the Boxster motor. We all know that properly tuned that 3.4 can produce well north of 300 HP...
It should be build. There are many replicas being built and published. I do not see why Porsche would have a issue with it as long as it is called a REPLICA. Where do I sign up?
@Juan,
We just heard from Arturo. He said the prototype is under construction at this moment and he will be sending pictures once it is finished. If you are seriously interested in one, you can visit http://www.gwa-tuning.com and email Arturo. Be sure to let him know we sent you. :-)
I think Porsche should do a Cayman with gullwings
I personally agree with anyone engaging in creative entrepreneurialism! (Is that even spelled right?) Anyway, yes it should be built! A little less pricey would be helpful given the current state of the economy but.. if he can target the 1%ers with this marvel and get them to support his start-up needs then perhaps the rest of us 99%ers could afford one soon enough.
Since Arturo seems to be moving forward with this I'd like to recommend a one thing. Now I've never had the pleasure of driving one of Chuck Beck's 904's however I did get the chance to meet Chuck and sit in one of his 904's at a recent PCA event. Chuck is quite a personable fellow and a ball of energy! There's no question that he takes great pride in his craftmanship and it showed with the two cars be brought to the event! But I have to say that for a guy in my mid-50's I couldn't get my arse in and out of the 904! And I'm not a big guy! (5'10" 185lbs)
So purely from a marketing standpoint Arturo needs to get some middle aged guy to be his test pilot! That way he'll know his target market can get their fat behinds in and out of his cars!
Yes, I'm volunteering for the job!
I must have the 904.....you can have my wife an kids. they are all really nice
Ok at the least use air cooled motor, like the 3.8 L 993 RSR, no water on a 904 please