This 2004 Carrera GT will form part of the Silverstone Auctions Race Retro catalogue. Synonymous with Porsche's endurance racing programme and Le Mans in particular, the design of the Porsche Carrera GT is firmly rooted in its motorsport lineage.
After success in 1998 at the famous 24-hour race, a team of engineers started work on a new mid-engined V-10 model utilising advanced technologies and materials. A prototype was ready and shown at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. Response to the car was enthusiastic prompting Porsche to commit to a limited production run of 1,500 cars. By the end of production in 2006, only 1,270 cars were built, making it rarer still.
With its 5.7 litre, dry sump V-10 engine (producing around 612 brake horsepower) sitting low in the carbon-fibre chassis, the Carrera GT weighed in at 1,380kg and was capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. Open the driver's door and you are immediately aware that this is a totally focussed, seriously fast Porsche with the sense of function only just lightened by the Beechwood gear knob - a nod to the famous Porsche 917 and its racing past.
You can learn more about this example on the Silverstone Auctions website.