to Gemballa GTR 500 Biturbo specification shortly after production. Without a Turbo Cabriolet available in 2002, the original owner requested Gemballa North America to take their sub-100 mile Seal Grey Metallic 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, purchased at a cost of nearly $90,000, and create a powerful, exclusive car that would not be available from Stuttgart for another two years.
The list of modifications recorded on Gemballa NA invoice is impressive in both total scope and cost. Beginning with the body, the Carrera 4 was widened with 996 Turbo rear fenders with air intakes, one-inch front fender extensions, a rear Turbo bumper, and a Turbo front front bumper with a Gemballa-sculpted lower lip. The chassis received a “Turbo GT Europa” bi-plane rear spoiler and a carbon fiber front hood with air intake. Under that rear spoiler sits a 3.6-liter intercooled 996 Turbo engine with a 500-horsepower upgrade, a Gemballa Turbo exhaust, and 100 cell catalytic converters. The GTR 500 is underpinned by Gemballa’s Sport suspension with Supercup stabilizer bars, GT2 front axle links, and a Gemballa adjustable front strut bar. Special five-spoke 18 inch Gemballa Competition wheels by Speedline complete the exterior look.
The completely reworked interior features new Gemballa front sport seats, rear seats, dashboard, and interior trim in Red leather and, when combined with the optional Silver interior kit, creates a sight to behold. Gemballa lightweight drilled alloy pedals, Gemballa door sill kick plates, and new Silver instrument gauges calibrated for Turbo power, and Gemballa airbag steering wheel with Silver trim are seamlessly coordinated with its Seal Grey Metallic exterior color. Additional interior modifications completed at Gemballa NA include a Paris stereo system with CD player, K40 radar system, and “Design Uwe Gemballa” floor mats with leather edging. All told, the conversion completed in 2003 totaled just over $141,000, a firm commitment by its original owner to the ultimate expression of open-air turbocharged Teutonic power – especially when the near-90,000-dollar purchase price of the Carrera 4 is factored in.
In November 2022 the car visited Rennsport Tuning in Erie, Pennsylvania at 4,949 miles for an inspection, engine oil and air filter change, cabin filter, and brake fluid flush. Furthermore, the consignor notes that in June of 2024 the car received four new Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Today this highly collectible Gemballa GTR 500 Biturbo, very likely a one-of-one, is offered with copies of its Gemballa North America paperwork and a clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report confirming a 5,259-mile odometer reading at the time of cataloging.
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