TITLE
Porsche 904 Das Komplete DockumentationAUTHOR Barth
Published 2003
ISBN 10 3898801152
ISBN 13 9783898801157
NO LONGER IN PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS
FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE 356 REGISTRY:
Jurgen Barth et al. have come out with the long awaited PORSCHE 904 Die komplette documentation – Entwicklung, Evolution, Fahrzeughistorie. Yes, that’s the first problem; it’s in German. However, it has lovely photographs, including documentation, original drawings, and assembly photographs – almost enough to build your own 904.
The introductory chapters are the Die Neue Ara in der Porsche-Renngeschichte or “New Era in Porsche Race Production” and Die Konzeption des typs 904 GTS including specifications and a serial number listing of the first purchasers. Most impressive – especially with my inadequate reading ability of German -- are the photographs of 904 assembly and wind tunnel tests. Next is the Der Verkauf der 904 or “The Selling of the 904” (you will be reading German in no time), including reprinted press material, sales brochures the Owner’s Manual, as well as a couple of pages of the Spare parts catalog. One can only hope when (not if) the book is translated, the English equivalents will be substituted. Chapter 4, Der 904 im Detail (see how well your German is coming) shows photographs of the 904 as it was assembled – perfect if you are trying to build one of your own. Chapter 5, Die Weiterentwicklung Des 904 or the “Further Development of the 904,” lists all of Service Bulletin Updates, complete with voluminous charts, drawings and photographs. A deviation, but making sense in a way, is the inclusion of 8 and 6 cylinder cars. Among the photographs is the installation of the first 6 cylinder engine, with Solex 40pi carbs (!) and not just twin ignition, but twin ignition done 693 style, with twin 6 cylinder distributors driven off the front of the motor (!!!!).
Chapter 6 is Der 904 im Rennen, starting with photographs of 904s and their drivers. Most significant is the tabulation of major race participation. With only a little inspection the tabular format becomes straight forward and includes chassis numbers! I have to admit to some surprise that George Drolsom drove the first 904 in competition at Riverside 2 February, 1964. Not because it was 904013 – the factory routinely kept the first 10 of any racecar for itself -- but because I thought George was an East Coast/Midwest driver. Interestingly, Porsche 904006 not only took second at the Targa Florio in 1964, but the same chassis also took the famous second at Monte Carlo in January of the following year.
There are a problems with data: instead of listing all the 9 July, 1965 Targa Florio results in order, the listing is split by having the results of two other races, Kams-Pokal-Rennen, Nurburgring and 9 July, 1965 Bergrennen Taunus. In rare instances, cars are missed entirely. Philippe Olczyk, the author of the forthcoming Porsche 904 The Truth and the Rumours – not a totally impartial observer --points out that Barth documents 650 races while his documents over 1000 races. And it is obvious that some cars appear to have, impossibly identical racing histories – 904030 & 904041, 904034 & 904069, 904079 & 904039.
The largest part of the book (about a third) is devoted to an individual history by chassis number. Listed are the chassis serial number, motor and gearbox number, delivery date, color, interior, and extras. Accompanying each chassis is usually a page or two of photographs – including reprints of the road test done on that particular car, such as the beautiful Road & Track test (unfortunately too small to read) of 904011, race results and sequential ownership. How many cars were made? Apparently we are still not sure. After 904109 comes 904113, 904115, 904119 (apparently a replacement chassis for 904100 – the same photographs are printed twice), finally 904126. What happened to the intervening cars? Did they exist? My German isn’t good enough to tell. And then there are the 906 cars. No, not the gullwing Carrera 6 but 904s with factory 6 cylinder motors. Apparently, the 904 sold so well that there was every intention of making a second series of 100 with the 6 cylinder motor. However, Ferdinand Peich had his own ideas and when the FIA dropped the sport scar requirement from 100 to 50 cars, the 906 as we know it came about. Ferry Porsche allowed his nephew to dump the 904, but only if he used the already ordered 904 suspension on the 906. Peculiarly enough, while factory 904/6s had 906 serial numbers, the 904/8s were converted early serial number 904s: 904008 and 904009, which started with 4 cylinders and early on were converted, by the factory, to 904/8s for prototype class racing.
There are also problems with chassis histories. Bill Randle is shown as simultaneously owing two 904s. I held the position of chief hanger on in Bill’s shop, and I only lusted over one car.
Finally, there are small but nicely illustrated chapters on Der 904 als Modell and Die Technischen Details, including the SCCA homologation, complete with photographs.
So, we have a spectacular book, currently written in German, with what appear to be significant errors in the all important chassis & race histories and issues about the tabulations. And, unfortunately, if you can get it, it is expensive at the euro equivalent of about $100.00. What choice do you have? I have seen a similar book on the Alfa Romeo GTZ, the first of a series which including the 904. It too, started with conception, followed by a racing history and finally the individual chassis histories. I wonder how bemused 904 owners were, to be almost simultaneously approached by two sets of authors with the same questions? And I wonder how closely the books will agree. I had thought the new 904 book would be out by Christmas, but have not seen it yet. Your choice will boil down to Barth’s book with all of the insider information, in German and in Germany – at least until it’s translated – at $100.00 or the new book, Porsche 904 The Truth and the Rumours – which should be available by the LA Toy & Lit Meet, also listing at about $100.00
