King of 935s: 1981 Kremer Porsche 935 K4 IMSA GTP
Images: Canepa
The last production-based car ever to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall was one which pushed the idea of Porsche’s 935 to its zenith – a Kremer 935 K3. This car, a 1981 Kremer Porsche 935 K4 IMSA GTP, is a K4. So it’s even faster. And it’s up for sale at Canepa.
When Porsche switched their focus to the 936, 956 and 962, customers were still devastating competition in their mighty 935s. And they wanted to develop them and stay competitive.
Happily, Porsche had allowed a select few racing teams to purchase components and drivetrains from the factory, and they would go on to design and produce their own chassis and bodywork. Kremer is amongst the most famous and successful of these teams.
They’d been working closely with Porsche since 1970 and had been independently developing racing Porsches for some years by the time it came to working on the 935. The K1 was the first in 1976, and by 1981 they were moving on to the fourth iteration – the K4, which was based on Porsche’s Moby Dick 935. Porsche had even given them drawings, parts and the car itself to work with in their development, so the K4 would be serious.
This car is 01 and represents a full half of the K4s produced. It is a very different machine to the original Porsche 935.
Kremer Racing set it loose on the European racing scene during 1981, where Bob Wollek drove it to six podiums along with wins at DRM Nurburgring and in the Norisring Trophy.
John Fitzpatrick bought it in 1982 to compete in the IMSA series, modifying it further with a completely new body, new rear suspension and belly pans, enhanced air-to-air intercoolers and other modifications that produced another 50 horsepower over competing 935s. When they cranked the turbos all the way up the car would put out well beyond 800 horses.
This development helped 01 pick up wins in the Mid-Ohio 100-Miles, Lime Rock 1-Hour, Road America 500-Miles and Mid-Ohio 6-Hours as well as a class win in the Brands Hatch 1000-Kilometers.
In ’83 the car raced twice, winning the Riverside 6-Hours. 1984 would see it rented to Al Holbert, where it gained the stunning Lowenbrau livery you see it wearing today.
In 1986 it was sold to Mike Hagen and has since moved through a few owners’ hands, including a stint in the ownership of Nicolas Cage.
When it arrived at Canepa K4 01 was given a complete mechanical inspection along with concours-worthy detail work. Looking at it now, it’s absolutely gorgeous and looks immaculate.
This car represents the zenith of the development of one of the most significant machines in sportscar racing – the Porsche 935, and is a storied and impressive machine on its own merits. It’s an absolute marvel of engineering and development; a work of art, and is up for sale at Canepa. Head to their website here for the full details.
Via Canepa
Images via Canepa
