This year’s Mecum Auction (May 10-18) in Indianapolis includes a 2004 Porsche Carrera GT in the sports and luxury cars session at the Indiana Convention Center called Indy 2024. For the car enthusiast and collector, Porsche’s extraordinarily engineered racecar represents the pinnacle of automotive design.
This Carrera GT stands out as a particularly special example of a very special car. Of the 1,270 produced between 2003 and 2006, this is one of only 41 completed in Basalt Black for the North American market – one of the single most desirable color combinations for those in the know. With fewer than 8,000 miles since new, it’s also a remarkable testament to the care and attention that it has received throughout its life.
Under the bonnet is a 5.7-liter V-10 engine, putting out 605 horsepower, with the Euro-correct font. And it has a six-speed manual gearbox, augmented with a Porsche ceramic composite clutch. All in all, it comes together to create a raw – yet highly refined – driving experience where the feeling between you and the road is about as good as it gets these days.
Its Basalt Black exterior shines, and removable carbon fiber roof panels can be stowed to create an open-air experience, intensifying the exhilaration of driving. The interior awash in dark grey leather opens in the heels of occupants to a world of precision and performance interpretation of Porsche’s legendary race heritage: the Porsche 917-style birch/ash wood shift lever knob and XT bucket seats are also rendered in materials and details faithful to the days of the race-proven and proven-ace 917. As an inlay for the cup holders, the tube-formed galvanized magnesium center console lends a taste of racing sophistication to the otherwise performance-only gestures of the interior.
Functional meets stylistic form in the Carrera GT’s reinforced cockpit safety like one would find in racing cars. Exposure of the carbon fiber and aluminum in the monocoque and subframe makes for a safe ride and also lightens the car, boosting its responsive feel on the road. Inside, the GT comes equipped with modern comforts such as Porsche Online Pro AM/FM/CD stereo, air conditioning, and xenon headlamps; it has nothing to prove in the age of the Prius.
The focus on aerodynamics is as evident as the 8,000 individual rivets: there’s an underfloor ground effect and a rear diffuser optimized for high-speed airflow, which combined with the electronically activated rear wing and pushrod-actuated inboard suspension make a car fly around a track almost as well as it can be driven on a road. This car was and still is a sports car icon.
It comes with a complete file and dealer binder from a German car dealer, German language specification page, MOT test certificates, insurance documents, owner’s manual, and service history. The documents validate its authenticity and also make it more collectible.
While the nitty gritty of this Porsche Carrera GT auction at Mecum’s Indy 2024 locks in at No Reserve, its appeal to collectors and Porsche enthusiasts goes beyond just owning one of the rarest cars ever produced. The public’s desire to own this Porsche is, in fact, more about being part of history. As with any well-considered dealership, you can opt to purchase a beautifully engineered and crafted automotive masterpiece to have for a while without a thorough-going sense of investment. On the other hand, maybe this Carrera GT is for buyers who see investment as more than just a sale – the thought of driving a Porsche beauty that will likely remain in top condition for decades brings good dreams. Don’t miss making the pinnacle of Porsche’s hands-on high-tech team part of your life as well.
