Homologation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The Porsche 911GT1, introduced in 1997, was developed as a homologation model to compete in the Le Mans 24-hour race. At the time, Le Mans regulations required production cars to be built as the basis for race cars, so Porsche decided to use the 911GT1 as the basis for a production car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Limited production of street-spec 911GT1.The first is the "I" in "I".

In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that this 911GT1 is a racing car itself. Although it retains the appearance of a 911, the chassis and drivetrain were almost identical to those of a racing car. In other words, the 911GT1 was born as a racing car that could be driven on public roads.

I saw a 911GT1 at the Porsche Museum on my honeymoon. after seeing this, I became a fan of the 996's teary eyes.

Racing car-like specs

The 911GT1 Street's power unit was a horizontally opposed 6-cylinder 3.2-liter twin-turbo engine. Although the engine was slightly more detuned than the racing version, it produced a maximum output of 544 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm, which was an astonishing specification for the time.

The vehicle body is made of carbon fiber monocoque. By achieving both lightweight and high rigidity, the car has achieved outstanding driving performance. The suspension is a push-rod type, similar to that of racing cars, to ensure stability when cornering at high speeds.

With a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 308 km/h, the car seemed to have the performance of a true racing car.

Rarity as a limited production model

The street version of the 911GT1 is,Only about 20 unitsIt is reported that only a few were produced. This seems to have been the minimum number of units needed to obtain homologation.

The price at the time was said to be about $1 million, and today the car is so rare that it is worth several hundred million yen. It is a coveted car for Porsche enthusiasts and investors.

In addition to the rarity of this limited production model, the 911GT1's unique presence on the borderline between a racing car and a street car probably makes it even more valuable.

The fruits of Porsche's technical expertise

The 911GT1 is the crystallization of Porsche's advanced automotive technology. The 911GT1 is the culmination of Porsche's advanced automotive technology. This attitude symbolizes the sincerity of Porsche's approach to engineering.

No more models with the GT1 name in Porsche's lineup.The "GT1" is currently missing, although "GT2" is still available.
However, the lineage of the 911 GT1 has been handed down from generation to generation. The Carrera GT, for example, is a direct descendant, and the latest 911 GT3 and GT3RS, for example, could be said to be models that bring the spirit of the GT1 back to the present day.

For Porsche enthusiasts, the 911GT1 continues to be a coveted object of desire. Its existence embodies the essence of the Porsche brand as a sports car.