There was a time when restoring Porsche 944 GTRs were the specialty of the house. As a matter of fact, of the six 944 GTRs ever produced, three transited through Rivard Compétition at one point or another.
The Restoration Project
Jacques acquired the 001 directly from Ludwig Heimrath jr with all parts. The car was restored and was sold in race-ready condition. Rivard Compétition bought both 944 from Bruce Jenner in parts. They were completely restored as they were originally. They were driven in Historic Sports Racing and eventually sold separately.
The 001 944 GTR chassis (left) next to a 924 GTR that was also restored by Rivard competition. This picture was taken at an HSR event in Savanah, GA in 1992.
The two 944 GTRs have serial numbers 005 and 006. Of all the 944 GTRs, they are the ones with the most interesting history.
This is the 005 chassis, usually sporting number 11, at an HSR event in Sebring, FL in 1994.
The story behind the cars
In the early 1980s, Porsche commissioned the chassis builder Fabcar to develop a race version of the 944 Turbo. The conception of the seven tubular 944 GTR chassis was thus in the United States under the supervision of the five-time IMSA Camel GT champion Al Holbert.
Fabcar ended up building seven 944 GTRs that were sold to private race teams. Toronto, Canada-based Ludwig Heimrath jr who had previously owned and driven several Porsches, including 935s and 924 GTRs, bought the 001 chassis. Heimrath jr raced his 944 GTR in a few Trans Am races in 1985 and 1986, but did not participate in all races. After the car was restored by Rivard competition, it raced extensively in Historic Sport Racing (HSR) during the 1990’s.
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