2005 Porsche Carrera GT Cabriolet Coupe

When it came time to develop a new Le Mans prototype to replace the GT1, Porsche began work on the new Carrera GT. While the new model was in development, FIA rules changes forced Porsche to shelve their racing plans. Undeterred, Porsche continued work on their new car, making it suitable for road use. Porsche displayed a road going concept of the car at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, alongside their other production models. The new model was well received, prompting Porsche to go ahead and produce the car. The Carrera GT was first offered for sale in 2004, alongside the Ferrari Enzo, Ford GT, and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

The Carrera GT was a very modern and well-engineered vehicle. It was built utilizing a carbon fiber monocoque and sub frame, as well as carbon ceramic brakes. It was lightweight and strong. Porsche also designed a three-disc carbon fiber racing clutch for the car, which measured 7.5 inches in diameter and was about a third of the size of a normal clutch. The car rode on ultra-lightweight forged magnesium wheels that had center-locking bolts and were color-coded for each side of the car, ensuring that wrong bolts were never put on the incorrect side of the car.

Mounted mid-ship was a 5.7-liter V10 engine, the first V-10 produced for use in a Porsche. The 605 horsepower and 435 foot-pounds of torque carried the car from zero-to-sixty in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. One example, piloted by Walter Rohl, lapped the July 2004 Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:28, which was a record for a Porsche that was not broken until the release of the 911 GT2 RS in 2010.

The Porsche Carrera GT had carbon fiber bucket seats. The rest of the interior was done in either leather, aluminum, or carbon fiber. It did have a few creature comforts, including a CD player and air conditioning.

By the time production came to a close, 1,270 examples had been built.

This Fayence Yellow Carrera GT is one of less than 100 examples produced in this color. It is currently in the care of its second owner and has accumulated less than 1,100 kilometers from new. It has the complete set of books and tools, as well as a set of fitted luggage that was sold new with the car. The front bonnet has been applied with 3M paint protection film, to keep the paint free of imperfections due to road use.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014