Looking to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche sought to develop a replacement for their class-winning 911 GT1 in hopes of more success at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Unfortunately, partway through development, a change in FIA rules forced the racer to be shelved. However, Porsche did not let their newest creation go to waste and eventually decided to develop the platform for road use thanks to additional revenue from the Cayenne, creating the Carrera GT.

Utilizing a carbon-monocoque engine fitted with a naturally aspirated V-10, carbon-ceramic brakes at all four corners, and even a cutting-edge carbon-fiber racing clutch, the Carrera GT was laden with a mesmerizing assortment of lightweight racing-derived components. Originally developed by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team, the mid-mounted engine is paired with a stainless-steel exhaust system to produce a sound similar to that of an F1 car on the Nürburgring. This would be the first V-10 engine used in a Porsche, and it proved to be the defining feature of the automobile, providing the car with not only a breathtaking soundtrack but also incredible performance.

Although Porsche’s initial press release reported the Carrera GT to move from 0–60 mph in just under four seconds, Car & Driver found it to be an astonishing 3.5, with a quarter-mile sprint in an equally impressive 11.2 seconds. Compare this to the identical quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds from the Enzo, Ferrari’s flagship supercar of the same era. However, the Enzo had an MSRP just shy of $660,000, while the GT was originally sold for considerably less—$448,000—giving it a greater bang for your buck than its Italian counterpart.

The Carrera GT presented here is the 949th example of only 1,270 examples produced. A one-owner vehicle, this GT was meticulously maintained by a Porsche and Ferrari collector and has resided in Beverly Hills, California, ever since it came off the line. With a mere 1,184 miles from new, the Porsche also comes with a fresh clutch and service to add to its allure (performed less than 10 miles ago). The Carrera GT also retains its original owner’s manuals with the original leather pouch, as well as a spare set of keys.

When new, journalists hailed the Carrera GT as one of the greatest supercars of all time, as it featured incredible performance in a lightweight, race-ready package that had gorgeous bodywork. Even 10 years after the first car was produced, it is still remarkably exciting to drive, and ownership of a Carrera GT has become a goal of many Porsche aficionados. Considering this example’s low mileage and as-new condition, it is an opportunity not to be missed.