Porsche Carrera GT (2004)

The Carrera GT's roots can be firmly traced back to its predecessors, the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. In 1998 Porsche planned on a new Le Mans prototype for 1999. The car was initially intended to use a turbocharged flat-6, but was later redesigned to use a new V10 engine, pushing the project back to planned completion in 2000. The V10 was a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992 but had been shelved. The engine was resurrected for the Le Mans prototype and increased in size to 5.7 litres. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled after two days of testing for the first car, in mid-1999, mostly due to Porsche's wish to build the Cayenne SUV with involvement from Volkswagen and Audi, thus requiring engineering expertise to be pulled from the motorsports division. It was also speculated that VW-Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch wanted Audi's new Le Mans Prototype, the Audi R8 not to face competition from Porsche in 2004.

Porsche did keep part of the project alive showing a concept car at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue provided from the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, the first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on January 31, 2004.The Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 horsepower. Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 62.1 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 205 mph although road tests indicated that in reality the car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds! The Carrera GT has a basic five colour paint schemes which including Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey. Custom colours were also available from the factory. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available.

Elements pointing to the cars stillborn Le Mans routes are abundant throughout the car. Attached to this gearbox is a Beechwood gear knob which pays homage to the wooden gear knob used in the Porsche 917 Le Mans racers. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel. This placement dates back to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers were required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and begin the race. The placement of the ignition enabled the driver to start the car with his left hand and put it in gear with his right.

Specified in the much rarer period Seal Grey Metallic and paired with the timeless Dark Grey leather, this car benefits from a stronger battery, air conditioning and a CD- Radio Becker Pro Sound System, and it's matching Dark Grey Luggage Set.

This C05 French specification example is a three-owner Carrera GT. Originally supplied new to a Mr Sebang through Porsche Centre Leipzig in 2004; who took full advantage of the factory delivery and instructed driving option when ordering the car new, and indicated on the specification of the car with the 'S9Y' option code. Sebang would keep the car for 12 years, during which the car would see regular maintenance with Porsche main dealers, including returning to Stuttgart for a major engine-out service.

The car was sold to a friend of the original keeper in 2016 at 19,500 km with the clutch replaced prior to sale. The second keeper would service the car with Porsche Centre Velizy and Porsche Entreposto during his ownership.

This example has remained in the care of its private French custodians, until our purchase of the car in March 2021. We had the car inspected prior to purchase and it was immediately sent to Porsche Stuttgart, where it is currently undergoing a major service engine-out service, as well as the replacement of all four tyres. The clutch reading from Porsche Stuttgart shows 83% remaining.

Presenting today with 21,750 kms, this example presents a fantastic opportunity to use and enjoy what is arguably the greatest modern Porsche, fit for the best collection and equally eminently usable.

(Supplied with a French Registration Document, VAT is paid in France, but not reclaimable)