2004 Porsche Carrera GT

Synonymous with Porsche's endurance racing programme and Le Mans in particular, where they have triumphed some 17 times, the design of the Porsche Carrera GT is firmly rooted in its motorsport lineage. After success in 1998 at the famous 24-hour race, a team of engineers started work on a new mid-engined V-10 model utilising advanced technologies and materials. However, the project was soon put on hold as the company decided to focus its energies in a different direction with the introduction of a new SUV and the development of the Porsche Cayenne. Fortunately, the Carrera GT project was kept alive, and a prototype was shown at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. Response to the car was enthusiastic prompting Porsche to commit to a limited production run of 1,500 cars. By the end of production in 2006, only 1,270 cars were built, making it rarer still.

With its 5.7 litre, dry sump V-10 engine (producing around 612 brake horsepower) sitting low in the carbon-fibre chassis, the Carrera GT weighed in at 1,380kg and was capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. Open the driver's door and you are immediately aware that this is a totally focussed, seriously fast Porsche with the sense of function only just lightened by the Beechwood gear knob - a nod to the famous Porsche 917 and its racing past.

We are pleased to offer this stunning Carrera GT finished in GT Silver Metallic with a black leather interior. Delivered new on 15th April 2004 by main dealer Champion Porsche of Pompano Beach, Florida, this example left the factory with a superb specification which included; air-conditioning, CD player with Bose HiFi, Porsche Online Pro Satellite Navigation, adjustable steering column, electric windows, buckets seats, and carbon ceramic brakes with yellow calipers. For the gentleman about town, this car comes supplied with a luggage set including a leather suit carrier, a leather briefcase bag and a leather day bag.

After two further owners in the United States, the car was imported to the UK in 2009 by a collector in Gloucester who kept the car for a while, before it was purchased by businessman and F1 team principal, Gerard Lopez. Our vendor took ownership of this exquisite supercar in September 2013 when it had covered a mere 12,737 miles, and immediately sent the car for a full service at Porsche Reading at a cost of £8,305. In 2014, the car was sent to RUF Porsche in Germany and was fitted with a suspension raising system at the cost of an eye-watering 11,900 Euros - a fantastic addition to the car when negotiating some UK roads with the ubiquitous 'sleeping policeman'! The last full service was carried out in November 2015 at Porsche Reading, when the recorded mileage was 18,018. During his tenure, our fastidious vendor has had the front bumper repainted and new body film applied.

Supplied with a UK V5c and wearing the apt registration BO53 CGT, this Carrera GT is currently MoT'd until November this year. With its Italian counterpart, the Ferrari 'Enzo' fetching premium prices, the Carrera GT is a car to be taken seriously, and this wonderful example from a private collector is one not to be missed.