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- Number 976 Of The 1,207 Produced
- Finished In GT Silver With XT Seats
- Showing Just 7,804 Miles From New
- Properly Cared For And Maintained Throughout Its Life
- Complete With A Matching Dark Gray Luggage Set
- Sale Includes Clean CARFAX, Factory Books, Tools, Trickle Charger, And Available Service Documents
This car is currently located in: Philadelphia, PA
The Overview
Motorsport helped capture and unite the imagination of the free world in the years following the Second World War. One such race ran the borders of the USA, Mexico, and Guatemala. It was called the Carrera Panamericana, a tortuous border-to-border 2,100-mile road race spanning the length of Mexico along highways, deserts, mountain roads, jungles, and urban environments. It was regarded from inception as the most dangerous race in the world that would test car and racer equally. By 1952, the Carrera Panamericana was acknowledged globally as a must-do event. The first class win for Porsche came in 1953, with privateer driver Jose Herrete behind the wheel of a 550 Spyder. The following year would be even more successful: a 1-2 class finish for factory drivers Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan, third and fourth overall, both with 550s.
“Glück hat, wer als Rennfahrer überlebt”, luck for a race car driver is to survive, Herrmann, 1954.
It all started in 1955 when a refined A series 356 received the performance 1500cc Type 547 motor, a development of the motors that led the 550s to victory. The car took the label suffixes GS, for Grand Sport suggesting it especially swift, and Carrera, Spanish for racing, signifying a special model with a competition bias. The 1500cc motor improved in 1957, now a Type 692. The new engine was fitted into an era-defining sports car, and given the label suffixes 1500 Carrera GS GT, the latter meaning Gran Turismo. The Carrera namesake, strictly used for special models only, continued on the limited run 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of 1973, a car homologated for Group 4. Later, the word “Carrera”, emblazoned the right front fender of the successor car, the 937 Carrera GT.
Thirty years would pass, to the fall of 2000. Walter Röhrl is entrusted to present a Porsche concept car to the world’s press on Parisian streets. With this concept car, Porsche once again sets out to define the status quo for the sports and super sports cars. The concept, Project 980, developed from a stillborn Le Mans project, would be given an evocative and storied title, Carrera GT.
It was two years earlier, at the celebration of Porsche’s 16th overall victory at Le Mans, that Project 980 had begun. Like the Le Mans-winning GT1, it incorporated a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, but with extensions to the engine support structure. A V10 motor was pulled from the stillborn Le Mans prototype LMP2000, internally 9R3. A small-diameter, multi-plate clutch incorporating ceramic composite materials, enabled the V10 to be mounted low in the chassis, resulting in a lower center of gravity than would have been possible with a flat-six. The production motor was enlarged to 5.7 liters, producing a maximum 612 HP at 8,000rpm. A 6-speed manual transmission was the only transmission available. Unequal-length control arms went all around with horizontally mounted gas shock absorbers operated via pushrods and rockers. The brakes consisted of six-piston aluminum calipers gripping 15” diameter ceramic composite discs. Each car rode on center-locking forged magnesium 19 & 20” wheels with ABS and power steering.
Styling elements, under the direction of then Porsche chief designer Harm Lagaay, recalled those of the 550. The standard production version made its debut at Geneva in 2003 and though remarkably similar to the Paris Show car years earlier, was subtly different in countless ways. One of the more obvious differences was the roof, a feature lacking on the open prototype, which consisted of two parts that could be removed and stowed in the front luggage compartment. Inside, the seats were made of leather-trimmed carbon fiber split by a rootwood gear lever, recalling the unlikely use of this material on the Porsche 917 endurance racer. Just 1,500 Carrera GTs were to be made, each numbered, but by the time production ceased in 2007 only 1,207 had been completed.
We are delighted to offer car no. 0976. It’s a GT Silver metallic example with an all-leather Dark Grey interior featuring the desirable slightly wider XT seats and wearing factory wheel wheels powder-coated in contrasting dark grey. Car no. 0976 is also fitted with an aftermarket exhaust, further enhancing the driving experience. Driven sparingly since new, this Carrera GT has benefitted from a high level of care by a dedicated group of owners. The accompanying history file notes a clutch replacement in January 2011 with 6,800 miles recorded along with an August 2013 service at The Collection in Coral Gable, Florida that included new tires, battery, starter motor, coolant reservoir, and ignition coils a couple of hundred miles later. Its present owner acquired the car in March of 2015 with approximately 7,300 miles at that time. Regularly exercised, and stored in a climate-controlled facility, this GT Silver example most recently received an oil and filter change, brake fluid flush, and four new tires all around along with an overall physical inspection at Repasi Motorwerks in August of this year. While there, a clutch reading was also completed, measuring 30.27. This example shows just over 7,800 miles at the time of cataloging.
Accompanying the car is full luggage set in matching Dark Grey leather, manuals, and tools including its center locking lug nut removal tool, along with a spare ignition key and aforementioned service records.
Fascinating as the Carrera GT is on a theoretical level, a practical demonstration of the car’s talents is what makes it truly special. Exotic styling and a race-ready package confirm the Carrera GT’s stature as the greatest supercar of all time.
From Adolfo Massari (Co-Founder of LBI Limited) on his first time driving a Porsche Carrera GT:
The Carrera GT is an extremely fun car to pilot. We say pilot because the CGT’s F1-derived V10, minimal driver’s aids, and 610 hp to the rear wheels require the driver to channel their inner Walter Rohrl to drive it spiritedly. On public roads, it is tame but ferocious when you want it to be. In the cockpit, everything is situated perfectly, the steering wheel and shift knob allowing for quick wheel-to-shift knob exchanges, minimizing the time you have with one hand off the steering wheel. The pedal box is situated perfectly for heel-toe performances at high speeds and the gauge cluster has everything you need and nothing you don’t. After a few moments of mental preparation and breathing exercises, I buckled my seatbelt and pulled away, gradually letting the clutch out, allowing the autothrottle to propel me from a dead stop and onto the ride of my life. The throttle response is instant, with each precise gearshift propelling you into another dimension of happiness. It is a visceral overload, a dopamine dump no drug could ever compare to. The high-pitched howl of the exhaust makes the hair on the back of your neck stand to attention with its symphonic tune. The turn-in to each corner, is effortless, with the car staying flat as if it were on rails but be careful, not too much throttle exiting a corner or that V10 sitting behind you can quickly turn you around. The Carrera GT lives up to all of the hype as well as its notorious reputation. It is fantastically rewarding to all of the senses but it commands respect, skill, and attentiveness. This is truly the pinnacle of the analog supercar and nothing like it will ever be produced again.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The sleek GT Silver Paint compliments the car wonderfully, highlighting the flowing but aggressive shape of the Carrera GT. The paint is in excellent condition, reflecting the careful ownership and low indicated mileage. Much of the car is covered in a clear bra that remains in excellent condition, certainly a contributing factor to the fantastic quality of the original factory paint. There are a few very minor chips in the paint on the front bumper, located underneath the clear bra although they require the highest level of scrutiny to locate. In addition, there is some minor chipping on the leading edges of the side-mounted intakes that appears to have been touched up throughout the years. The body remains smooth and straight with no issues to note. Panel gaps and fitment are spot on, showing no signs of any issues past or present. Overall the exterior of this car presents superbly, exactly as one would expect from a low mile, properly maintained example.
glass and trim
The glass appears to be all original and in excellent condition, showing no signs of pitting or scratching. Side windows as well as the windshield are marked Saint Gobain Sekurit. The rear glass is marked Swiss Lamex. The two side windows have been tinted, appearing to be very professionally done and remaining in good shape with no peeling or chipping of the tint. Trim throughout the car is in likewise excellent condition, with rubber components remaining supple and bright. The headlight lenses do show some minor pitting and stone peppering from normal usage, a hard problem to avoid with a vehicle this low to the ground. It would not be considered anything that takes away from the overall excellent presentation of the exterior though.
wheels
The wheels have been powder-coated in a gunmetal grey color, offering a layer of protection as well as a unique touch of color to the otherwise overtly silver feel of the exterior. The paint was laid down in a very professional manner and the finish remains smooth and tidy with excellent color. The center locking wheel hubs, with their contrasting colors, remain in good condition, showing some minor markings from ordinary service work as the wheels are taken on and off.
notable flaws
The only real flaw that exists on this otherwise perfect example is some minor peppering and pitting of the plastic headlight lenses. It in no way serves to take away from the fantastic overall presentation of this CGT but it is something we felt should be noted.
interior
seats and surfaces
The spartan but precisely trimmed interior remains in great condition and serves as the perfect place to pilot this iconic road car from. The leather-trimmed, carbon fiber backed seats remain in fantastic condition, with minimal wear to be found and excellent color to the leather. The seating surfaces on both sides have some minor creasing forming from normal use and the driver’s side exterior situated bolster has some very minor wear marks beginning to form. The steering wheel, which is delightfully devoid of buttons and distractions, remains in excellent order, with good color and tight stitching. There is some light scuffing on the pedals, nothing you wouldn't expect to see with an example with the indicated mileage. There is some minor scuffing on the driver's side door sill as well as on the interior door pull. The leather on the emergency brake located on the driver's left side has some minor scratching on the surfaces. There is a small area of scratched leather just to the left of the shifter.
functionality and accessories
Owing to its careful ownership, everything on the interior of the vehicle appears to function as it should. The doors close smoothly and the windows roll up and down with ease. The gauges appear to read their requisite functions properly and the digital portions of the cluster are clean, clear, and bright with no dead pixels. There are one or two very light scratches on the plastic face of the center-mounted tachometer only really noticeable under direct light. The HVAC seems to function as it should, both on the hot and cold sides. The tiny and correct Porsche Online Pro radio unit is located at the center of the dash and appears to function as it should with no dead pixels and a bright display.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay reflects the careful and proper ownership this car has been kept under. Everything appears factory correct as well as clean and tidy. There are no signs of any issues, past or present. The carbon fiber tool stowage cover is in place, concealing the tow hook and air compressor amongst its other appropriate pieces. The passenger side fender well contains the factory roadside hazard sign, stowed away appropriately. Stickers and labels are present in their correct locations and the hood struts are strong and working as they should. Rubber components, hoses, and clamps all appear well-kept and looked after with no signs of any issues.
trunk area
The front trunk area is clean and tidy, with a well-fitting proper quilted style mat. Proper stickers and labels are present where they should be. The tool to remove the center locking lug nuts is stowed conveniently in its designated location, tucked up near the firewall. The leather straps to secure the top, when removed and stowed in the trunk, are likewise tucked away in their proper locations. Lifting the trunk mat reveals the factory options sticker affixed to the car still.
Underside
The slick underside appears to be in good condition, showing no sign of issues past or present. There is some minor scaping on the secondary black trim piece that hangs below the front bumper but nothing that takes away from the overall appearance of the car.
mechanicals
engine
Owing to the meticulous nature in which this CGT has been maintained, the 5.7-liter V-10 engine is in excellent and healthy shape. It fires to life with ease and settles into a smooth and delightful sounding idle. On the road, it makes fantastic power, smooth, linear, and seemingly never-ending. There are no flat spots or stumbles during acceleration, just relentless acceleration, and power. There is a non-stock exhaust currently in place that provides a fantastic soundtrack to enjoy while piloting the car down the road.
transmission
The transmission shift smoothly between gears with no issues to note. This CGT was the beneficiary of a new clutch just 500 miles ago and it has only been driven by knowledgeable pilots since, leaving the entirety of the transmission systems in good order. The auto-throttle feature works as it should when pulling away from a dead stop. Clutch takeup is smooth and appropriate while the feedback feels spot on. The transmission holds power as it should and shifts through gears effortlessly.
brakes and suspension
The brakes perform as expected with no issues to note, hauling the car to face distorting stops. The suspension is tight and free of any issues while being supremely responsive and providing fantastic road hold and feedback.
tires
The tires are Michelin Pilot Super Sports sized 265/35ZR19 in the front and 335/30ZR20 in the rear. All four tires appear in excellent condition with plenty of tread and solid clean sidewalks. DOT date codes show all tires we produced in 2021.
driving experience
There are some cars that receive undo hype, propped up by childhood fantasies and over-edited video mixes. The Porsche Carrera GT however is not one of those. Cutting edge and revolutionary only begin to describe the car when it was first released and although supercars have come a long way in the past 20 years, there is still nothing quite like these iconic halo cars from Porsche. Stepping into the spartan but purposeful interior quickly reveals the fact that you are there for one purpose; to drive. And it is this spartan and dedicated ethos that makes the Carrera GT still so desirable these days. Sure faster cars have come out since, but none that put so much power and potential control directly into the driver’s hands, unobscured by a host of computer-controlled safety nets. It is often hailed as the most analog supercar, a title that needs to be revered but when respected produces some of the most joyous driving sensations imaginable. As collector cars go, the Carrera GT, even at today's prices, could still be considered undervalued given its provenance and lasting historical significance. Car number 976 serves as an excellent example for someone looking to experience the joys of CGT ownership for themselves. It has been lovingly maintained throughout the years and thanks to its low mileage from new, one can still drive and enjoy it while surely watching its value and desirability continue to increase over the years to come.
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