Dan Trent: This is the original Porsche Carrera GT

I love an underdog and will defend the 924’s thus-far under-appreciated role in Porsche’s history. But knowing how cheap they once were I’m not sure I could bring myself to pay £25,000 for one. Not unless it was something truly special.

Like this one. OK, this is a 70-grand 924. But given its rarity and historical significance, I don’t think that price tag looks as outrageous as that asked for the restored 125hp base model.

These days we know the Carrera GT as a carbon-bodied hypercar with a screaming naturally-aspirated V10 engine, manual transmission and reputation for knife-edge handling. Prices are now inexorably heading towards seven figures too.

I quite like the provocation of owning a Carrera GT that costs a tenth of the one most people picture in their head, the 924 original one of those fascinating homologation specials manufacturers sometimes had to build when taking their road cars racing. Because the 924 Carrera GT is exactly that and the equal of anything with an RS or RSR badge in terms of its motorsport provenance.

406 were built to homologate the car for Group 4 competition, though the three cars that raced at Le Mans in 1980 actually competed in a higher category. The basic formula was set though and to my eyes, the classic Group 4 format of stick-on arch extensions, bonnet scoops and big wings looks brilliantly outrageous. I have a bit of a guilty pleasure for the modern-day Liberty Walk body kits that expensively caricature the same look for modern supercars but this is the real thing. 

Based on the 170hp 924 Turbo, power from the 2.0-litre engine increased to 210hp while the race-prepped GTP versions gained titanium springs and driveshafts, 917 brakes and put out over 300hp. Fifty-nine Carrera GTSs (identifiable by their clear headlights and gorgeous turbine wheels) were also built but these are in the realms of proper exotica, Derek Bell one notable owner having been presented with his when employed as a works driver.

This one is a little more attainable, though the Hertfordshire-based specialist it’s up with is known for pricing its stock at the ‘reassuringly expensive’ end of the spectrum. There are cheaper ones on the market, this black one in Belgium up for £10,000 less. But as one of 75 right-hand drive cars, with a solid history and the added value of an official restoration at Porsche Silverstone, it would seem there’s justification for the premium. Kept properly I think your money would be safe.

The only 924 I’ve actually driven was a battle-scarred race car competing in the grassroots BRSCC Porsche Championship. It was no Concours example but the car’s fundamental qualities stood out and it was just a delightful little thing to drive, the great natural balance of these ‘transaxle Porsches’ making them more predictable and exploitable than their lauded rear-engined relatives. In power-to-weight terms, this one is about equivalent to a modern Toyota GT86. But somewhat more exotic.

I still love 911s but these ‘baby’ Porsches have an appeal of their own and this 924’s wild looks, rarity and extra injection of pace all have huge appeal. Plus I’d never get bored of telling people I paid seventy grand for a Carrera GT.