911 GT1
Street Model,
254 Saturn Drive,
Silverstone
Porsche 911 GT1
Base Retail Price: $887,500 - $912,000
1996 Porsche 911 GT1
Interior of the GT1
The first in a long line of
Porsche 911 GT1's appeared in 1995, as a 1996 model to compete in the running
of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 1996 models looked much like the
993 models. Then in 1997 Porsche released the new GT1 that resembled
the Boxster and the new 996 models. The headlights are the same despite
the fact that treatment of the front wings is not the same. The recalling
indicators on the sides are also set at the same place as on the Boxster.
The line above the rear bumper which integrated the rear fires have been
filled off by the two blocks of the Boxster. Other features are the
redesigned air intakes on front, on rear and on sides. The two littles
behind the doors have been extended and they show a better design while
the littles ones placed just before the rear wheels, on the steps, have
now dissapeared. The front spoiler is also new despite the fact that it
keeps the huge frontal air intake. It integrates two other little air intakes
on left and right and it doesn't seem that the two additionnal foglights
viewed at LeMans 1996 will be kept this year. The rear air exits have also
been redesigned and they are bigger than before. But the main important
modification is the dissapearing of the air exits behind the front wheels.
It results from the great widening of the GT1. While the McLaren F1 GTR
get lenghtened for 1997, the Porsche GT1 get enlarged at the maximum authorized
by the FIA rules. As an aim, the steps are now smaller and like this, the
GT1 has better looking. Then, those modifications are common between
street and racing models. We can note the various design of the strasse
version external mirrors and the new colors adopted, also based on the
future models of the mark. Those modifications are not innocuous
at all and if the street vesion show this new design, that's why the racing
version absolutely need it to stay competitive. The new headlights on front
and rear were in project ina ll the cases and they're just here to show
the famous Porsche family likeness but the rest of the modifications are
very important. Indeed, as you may know, the FIA imposed big air
bridles and the dissapearance of the ABS on the Porsche GT1, they think
it was too superior compared to the other models engaged in endurance races.
Despite the fact that it is very honorific, it is a big handicap now and
during the last races, the GT1s were never heading like they did. That's
why Porsche developped new aerodynamic design which increase support and
allows to suppress the oscillations recorded on the previous cars combined
to the new front supsensions. As a result, only Nissan managed a better
time at LeMans qualifying in GT1 category. Like in 1996, McLarens are behind.
Maybe it's gonna work. Here it is intereresting to note that the
five first customers of the GT1 are very angry because they thought they
have bought the better car for endurance races. Unfortunately, it was before
the new FIA statement and they were far behind leaders. In 1998 porsche
released their new GT1, Looking much like the 935 model of the 70's.
The only visible remnants of the 1997 model is the headlights, rear spoiler
section, front air intakes, and the mirrors. Porsche has also raised
the fenders in the front and rear.
