One to Buy: ex-Michael Schumacher 2004 Porsche Carrera GT
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Porsche had originally planned a production run of 1500 Carrera GTs but, owing to relatively subdued demand in a post dot-com boom era, just 1270 were produced between 2004 and 2005, all of which were left-hand drive.
Much like its predecessor, the iconic 959, the Carrera GT was born from a competition programme that its maker ultimately abandoned. In this most recent case, Porsche had hoped to use the Carrera GT’s engine for an LMP1 entry, however, that plan was scrapped to avoid direct competition with Audi’s Le Mans Prototype. As the forthcoming Cayenne SUV was set to use a significant degree of Volkswagen Audi Group hardware, Porsche decided it would be politically expedient to discontinue its LMP operation.
Significantly, the Carrera GT became arguably the last super high end special from a major manufacturer to deliver a truly analogue driving experience. Based around a carbonfibre monocoque with double wishbones and pushrod-actuated coil sprung dampers, power came from a normally aspirated 5.7-litre V10 hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Stopping was courtesy of latest generation carbon ceramic brakes. Although driver aids such as ABS and traction control were included, the Carrera GT developed a fearsome reputation for humbling those with insufficient skill.
One customer who most certainly did have the credentials to tame the Carrera GT was German F1 star, Michael Schumacher, who took delivery of this uniquely configured example which will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in Florida on January 16th.
Because Schumacher’s Ferrari F1 contract precluded him from driving anything other than Fiat Group products, chassis WP0ZZZ98Z4L000116 was titled to his long time manager, Willi Weber. Delivered in 2004 when Schumacher was en route to his seventh Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, chassis ‘000116’ emerged from Porsche’s Stuttgart factory in Basalt Black with Black upholstery. The wheels were finished in Black with a Red accent, behind which were matching Red brake calipers. After delivery, Schumacher’s famous red "MS" insignia was affixed to the trailing edge of the rear decklid.
At the time of cataloguing, chassis ‘000116’ had covered a little under 9000 miles. The car looks to be in superb condition throughout and is accompanied by its factory book pack and tool kit. The owner's manual is said to bear Schumacher's racing helmet logo and in the history file are photographs of the German behind the wheel.
