The story of the Porsche Carrera GT, originally known as project code 980 internally by Porsche, begins in 1992 with a secretly built a 3.5L V10 engine by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team, but subsequently, the project was shelved. Now that Porsche was left with an engine & no car to use it in, this began the development of a new Le Mans prototype. After years of development, in 1998, the long-secret Le Mans prototype was completed, known as the Porsche LMP2000 utilizing a redeveloped version of the original V10, now with 5.5L. One car was built (9R3) before Porsche decided to cancel the project after just two days of testing. The cancellation of the Le Mans prototype was mostly due to Porsche’s interest in developing the Cayenne SUV utilizing VW hardware. This left Audi (subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group) with a clear path to dominate at Le Mans at time. Again, Porsche is left with an engine, but no car. This is when the Carrera GT is born into Porsche history. In 2000, the 5.5L V10 used in the Le Mans prototype would be said again on a concept called the ‘Carrera GT’. The 5.5L engine was enlarged to 5.7L & the car was set for production after a successful debut. Now as for this example. This is the slightly-controversial, yet utterly fantastic 2005 Porsche Carrera GT (0920), WP0CA29865L001450, finished in the iconic shade of ‘Rubystone Red’. You may have seen this car before as it was previously owned by @salomondrin & repainted by @galpinautosports from it’s original shade of ‘GT Silver Metallic’. While many believe in ‘matching-numbers’ and original paint, ‘Rubystone Red’ is a legendary Porsche color (first appeared in 1991 on the 964 RS), & in my opinion shows quite nicely on the GT. This car is now repainted ‘Mexico Blue’.
How many made? 1,270 built
Engine: 5.7 L 980/01 DOHC V10 - 603hp
Debut: 2000 Paris Motor Show
Top Speed: 205mph
0-60mph: 3.9s
Photo Credit: @salomondrin @tactical_fleet
Research: @rarecarsonly