The Porsche 904 Carrera GTS occupies a singular place in motorsport history: road-registered yet fully race-developed, it bridged the gap between Porsche's 356-era sportscars and the purpose-built prototypes that followed. CMC (Classic Model Cars) has chosen chassis 904-045 in its Snetterton 1964 race livery — number 71, driven by Dickie Stoop — for this 1:18 die-cast model, a subject that sits well outside the usual Le Mans or Monte Carlo narratives associated with the type.
The Last Dual-Purpose Porsche
Produced in a run of approximately 100 units between late 1963 and 1965, the 904 Carrera GTS was homologated for GT racing while remaining street-legal. Its fibreglass body was bonded directly to a steel platform chassis — an unconventional choice that kept kerb weight to around 650 kg. Power came from the mid-mounted Porsche 587/3 flat-four, a twin-cam-per-bank unit of approximately 1966 cc producing around 180 hp at 7200 rpm. Each car received a sequential chassis number; 904-045 is among the early production examples.
Snetterton, 1964, and a Race Steeped in Memory
The Scott Brown Memorial Trophy was run at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk — one of Britain's oldest permanent racing venues, active since 1951 — in honour of Archie Scott Brown, the Scottish driver who died at Spa in 1958. Dickie Stoop, one of the most committed British Porsche privateers of the era, entered chassis 904-045 as No. 71. Stoop had built his reputation campaigning Porsche 356 machinery in UK national and club events throughout the early 1960s; the 904 represented a natural step up, and his appearance at Snetterton placed him at the centre of British club-racing culture at its most resonant.
CMC at 1:18: Die-Cast Elevated
CMC (Classic Model Cars) is a German manufacturer whose 1:18 models are consistently referenced as benchmarks for die-cast construction. Each piece combines a metal die-cast structure with photo-etched details and turned or resin components — a combination that produces surface and mechanical fidelity rarely achieved in mass-market models. This release carries the reference for Ch.904-045, No. 71, Dickie Stoop, Snetterton 1964, making it a chassis-specific rather than generic 904 representation. The level of finish justifies placing it alongside dedicated resin display pieces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS and why is it significant?
The 904 was a dual-purpose road and race car built by Porsche in a run of approximately 100 units between 1963 and 1965. Homologated for GT racing yet street-legal, it used a fibreglass body on a steel platform chassis and weighed around 650 kg, making it one of the last Porsches a private owner could race directly from the showroom.
Who was Dickie Stoop and what is his connection to this car?
Dickie Stoop was a prominent British privateer racer closely associated with Porsche machinery throughout the early-to-mid 1960s. He entered chassis 904-045 as car No. 71 at the Scott Brown Memorial Trophy meeting at Snetterton Circuit in 1964, having previously competed extensively in Porsche 356 models in UK national and club racing.
What is the Scott Brown Memorial Trophy?
A race held at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk, in memory of Scottish driver Archie Scott Brown, who died at Spa in 1958. Scott Brown was a celebrated figure in British club racing, and the memorial trophy bearing his name attracted quality entries from British privateers in the 1960s.
Who makes this model and what materials are used?
The model is made by CMC (Classic Model Cars), a German manufacturer known for high-detail 1:18 die-cast construction. CMC models typically combine a die-cast metal structure with photo-etched, turned metal and resin detail components.
