Rarely has a new sports car generated as much excitement as the Porsche Carrera GT, the prototype of which was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in 2000. The new GT program was born of the 1996–97 911 GT1, developed by Porsche for the FIA GT Championship series. In 1998, an abrupt change in regulations disrupted Porsche’s plans for a new 5.0-litre Le Mans prototype to succeed both the 911 GT1 and the LMP1-98 racers.

A new prototype racer was constructed in 1999, but the project was abruptly cancelled when company management ordered its engineering department to focus its efforts instead on a new SUV, the Cayenne, a decision that ultimately helped save the company. It also avoided conflict with the Le Mans prototype being developed by sister brand Audi. Porsche decided instead to build a new top-of-the-line supercar using its potent V-10.

The Carrera GT was a ground-breaker in many ways; manufacture of its full carbon-fibre monocoque and subframe was subcontracted to ATR Composites Group Srl of Collonna, Italy. To that very strong and lightweight structure was attached a racing-derived suspension with upper and lower wishbones and inboard, rocker-arm suspension at all four corners, eight-piston monoblock front brake callipers, and four-piston monoblock rear callipers with ventilated and cross-drilled carbon-ceramic brake rotors, all surrounded by forged magnesium-alloy centre-lock road wheels.

The mid-mounted 5.7-litre dry-sump, normally aspirated engine has dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Developing more than 600 horsepower, this marvellous powerplant could propel this wonderful 1,250-kilogram machine to 100 km/h in less than four seconds, and 0–200 km/h in less than 10 seconds, with a terminal velocity of nearly 330 km/h. A new small-diameter flywheel and carbon-ceramic clutch package driving a six-speed manual transaxle allowed a very low engine placement and centre of gravity, giving the new chassis tremendous handling qualities.

At the same time, the Carrera GT was quite luxurious, as befitting its nearly €350,000 price tag, with brushed aluminium and carbon-fibre interior trim, leather upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, a stereo system, and a colour TFT screen providing three levels of comprehensive information and navigation assistance. The two racing-style seats have adjustable knee and leg supports, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel has hand-painted Porsche crest telescopes for driver convenience. A very “retro” feature is the laminated wood gearshift knob, remindful of the immortal 917. The Carrera GT was also fitted with extensive safety systems, including front and side air-bags, traction control, and anti-lock brakes, bi-xenon headlamps, LED tail-lamps and directionals, and a rear wing that extends automatically at 120 km/h to enhance stability. Initial demand was such that Porsche allotted only one or two units to each of its dealers worldwide. Although a 1,500-unit production run was planned, ultimately only 1,270 examples were delivered beginning in 2004, many of which quickly disappeared into private collections.

This lovely example, the 261st built, was completed at Porsche’s factory at Leipzig on 15 July 2005. Supplied new to Germany, it spent most of its early years in a private collection without being driven. Finished in gleaming Silver Metallic with black leather, it is supplied with its tool kits, including the centre-lock wheels tool, as well as a factory-issued Certificate of Authenticity. This virtually new supercar is described by the consignor as being in fantastic overall condition and would be an enviable addition to any collection of the world’s best sports cars.