PROVENANCE
James G. Hascall (acquired new via Bert Smith International, St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2005)

THIS CAR
Porsche utilized all of its Le Mans racing experience to develop its supercar for the street, the Carrera GT. Rare, powerful, and ferociously quick, the GT was introduced at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show to immediate acclaim. Developed out of the canceled LMP1-98 prototype program, the Carrera GT, known internally as project code 980, was Porsche’s first supercar since the 911 GT1, and in all respects it was a showcase for the Stuttgart firm’s engineering prowess.

Each Carrera GT possessed an advanced carbon fiber monocoque chassis and subframe; motor racing-derived pushrod-activated suspension; carbon ceramic cross-drilled ventilated disc brakes; and a spectacular, normally aspirated 5.7-liter V-10 engine that had its genesis in Porsche’s Footwork-Arrows Formula 1 program of the early 1990s. This four-valve-per-cylinder, dry sump, fuel-injected power plant produced 605 bhp at 8,000 rpm, and 435 lbs./ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm, all delivered through an ingeniously engineered low-mass, small-diameter, twin-plate ceramic clutch to a six-speed manual transaxle. The racing origin of the GT’s engine accounts not only for its low 472 lbs. of overall weight, but the unmistakable shriek it emits as the 8,400 rpm redline is approached. Center-lock forged magnesium alloy wheels – with a diameter of 19" in front and 20" in the rear – reduced unsprung weight and included a tire-pressure monitoring system. The Carrera GT accelerated to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.5 seconds, and reached a top speed in excess of 205 mph. In true Porsche fashion, the Carrera GT was designed to be a comfortable and reliable, real-world automobile – equally at home on road or track. Its twin removable roof panels can be stored under the front trunk lid, turning the Carrera GT into a delightful open-air sports car. Air buffeting was reduced via a glass panel that fits between the supportive bucket seats. The luxurious and highly functional interior included the usual Porsche amenities, such as leather upholstery, a Bose sound system, and air-conditioning.

While 1,500 examples were originally planned, Porsche had built just 1,270 Carrera GTs at the Leipzig, Germany, factory when production concluded in May 2006. The Carrera GT provides visceral performance and motor racingquality construction. Its analog character stands in stark contrast to the latest crop of hybrid supercars. The appeal of these extraordinary cars is palpable. Serious collectors have come to recognize the Carrera GT as one of the last great expressions of the traditional, high-performance, mid-engine sports car.

According to its Porsche COA, the car offered here – chassis 1274 – was completed by Porsche on March 18, 2005, and delivered new through Bert Smith International of St. Petersburg, Florida, to its first and only owner, James G. Hascall. It has seen extremely limited use over his tenure, residing in his climate-controlled facility not far from the dealership where it was first sold.

This Carrera GT came from the factory optioned with XT bucket seats, air-conditioning, full Terracotta leather luggage set, Porsche Online Pro CD Radio, and car cover. Presented in the stunning color of GT Silver Metallic, it is handsomely offset with a rich Terracotta leather interior. Included are the car’s original tools, luggage set, and its manuals in their leather folio. Documents from its sale accompany the car, including its window sticker, bill of sale, new vehicle arrival checklist, factory correspondence, and even the lot tag.

Today, more than a decade after the last Carrera GT rolled out of the factory, these magnificent cars have come to be regarded as among the most exciting road cars ever built. Their prominent place in the hierarchy of the Porsche legend is more than assured, delivering spellbinding performance that can scarcely be matched by modern car offerings.

Exceptionally well preserved, this car’s mileage puts it in another category entirely when compared with other Carrera GTs. Displaying only 109 miles at the time of cataloguing, this Carrera GT offers a time-warp opportunity to acquire an iconic one-owner Porsche supercar.