Porsche Carrera GT

The tale of the Carrera GT’s development—and how it languished beneath shifting tides of corporate investment between 1998 and late 2003—is a complex and fascinating story. Suffice to say, this so-called “Lazarus” project found its origins in a secretive Formula One powertrain program, a Le Mans Prototype chassis, and a concept car exhibited at the 2000 Paris Motor Show. Porsche’s intensive shift toward its Cayenne SUV initially seemed to doom this ambitious supercar. However, the Cayenne’s massive commercial success injected the capital needed to finish the Carrera GT and present its production prototype at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Having resisted death several times over the course of its multi-year development, on 23 February 2003, Porsche’s Carrera GT emerged triumphantly into the limelight—and an accompanying shower of deposit slips.
Porsche’s new supercar broke ground in many ways; it was the company’s first product to utilize an immensely strong but lightweight monocoque cabin and engine support unit of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) with steel bracing around the windshield and passenger compartment. Chassis construction was sublet to Italian aerospace component maker ATR Composites. The front and rear suspension systems were based on a state-of-the-art racing design, with upper and lower stainless-steel wishbones and inboard-mounted, rocker-arm-operated, coil-over shock absorbers at all four corners. Huge ventilated and cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc brakes were managed by multi-piston light-alloy calipers fitted behind forged magnesium-alloy center-lock road wheels.
Furthermore, the Formula One-derived V-10 engine now had a home. Sized at 5.7 liters in production form, this marvelous 40-valve powerplant developed an astonishing 613 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 435 pounds-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm. Power was delivered through a six-speed manual transaxle. To keep the car’s center of gravity as low as possible, the engine employed dry-sump lubrication.
The bodywork incorporated large air intake and exhaust vents, as well as a pair of removable CFP roof panels that could be stored onboard, a rear air diffuser, and a stability-enhancing rear wing that rose automatically at 75 mph. The leather interior was luxurious, with every amenity, and included a large digital information screen. The Carrera GT was fitted with numerous safety systems, including traction control and anti-lock braking, all vital to a machine capable of 0–60 times of 3.5 seconds and a maximum speed of over 200 mph—quite remarkable for a nearly 20-year-old, normally aspirated road car.
This Carrera GT, serial 0856, is one of just 644 US-market examples produced between 2004 and 2006. Finished in the sinister shade of Basalt Black Metallic over a Dark Grey interior, additional factory specifications included Porsche Online Pro CD radio, all-leather seats, air conditioning, car cover, and a set of Dark Grey luggage (note that the luggage does not accompany the car). First sold to the United States, this Carrera GT soon made its way to Switzerland where it has been treated to an exceptional level of maintenance by Porsche of Geneva. It is now offered with service records and an assortment of owner’s manuals.
Developed from Porsche’s Formula One and Le Mans programs, the Carrera GT is Porsche’s landmark supercar, an icon of its era, and one of the last true analog cars of its caliber. Considering this example’s low mileage and wonderfully maintained condition, this US-specification, Basalt Black Metallic Carrera GT is sure to draw the attention and admiration of discerning enthusiasts for years to come.