When designers and engineers are given a blank check, expect to see amazing results. With no regard to price or time, objects like the Great Pyramids, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and the Chevrolet LS1 have shown what humanity is capable of. Ok, the last one was a bit of a stretch, but we are a car magazine after all. History has a way of repeating itself, especially when it comes to Porsche and racing. Back in 1998, a change in the rulebook for the LMP class led Porsche to develop a new car for 1999. The prototype made it to the test phase, but the project was shelved to focus on the Cayenne.
Sales of the SUV were as spicy as predicted, so the project resumed with a concept of the Carrera GT being shown at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. The 5.7 liter V10 was a scaled up Formula1 design from 1992. The chassis would feature inboard suspension bolted to a carbon fiber tub, also direct descendants of the race cars. Behind the front wheels were 15″ carbon ceramic brakes, unheard of at the time. Like all great supercars, the Porsche Carrera GT was a race car that received leather and turn signals to become street legal. The inboard suspension and brutally stiff chassis gives no warnings before it loses traction. That’s why many experienced drivers are astounded by its abilities.
The clutch is either on or off. It doesn’t allow for feathering or soft starts. It was the first production carbon fiber/ceramic clutch and it’s about the same size as a tostada, albeit one that costs $26,000. You won’t have to worry about wear & tear if the car only has 25 miles, so that’s why you should make plans to bid on this one at Mecum’s Monterey Auction. Only 1,270 cars were built, and many have been lost to accidents and tragedies. If you need a car that offers no apologies, you will have a 603 horsepower piece of history in your collection. Stay with us for more Mecum updates and coverage of the event.
