Porsche 911 GT1 Racing Coupé 1996-1998

 In the mid-1990s, GT cars began to play an increasing important role in the motor racing sport. Porsche responded by applying an advanced, hi-tech racing concept to the design of the 911 GT1, which made its racing debut at the 64th Grand Prix of Endurance in Le Mans in 1996. The Porsche GT1 finished second and third overall. The new dimension in sports car construction consisted in the first 'Eleven' being fitted with a mid-engine, for the six cylinder power unit was, for the very first time, moved to the middle, which provided balanced axle load distribution and also offered aerodynamic advantages. Another innovation was the switch from an air to a water cooling system, which reduced both thermal load and fuel consumption. two overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four valves per cylinder were a standard feature of this high performance engine. The debut of the success. Although Reinhold Joest's custom-built Porsche won the race, the two Porsche 911 GT1s finished hot on its heels in second and third positions. Two years later, in 1998, the Porsche GT1 won against the toughest competition in a remarkable one-two finish at Le Mans.

Porsche 911 GT1 Street Version. For the homologation in GT1 FIA category, at least 25 street versions of the car had to be produced. Specifications for the Porsche GT1 Strassenversion: 544 bhp 3,163 cc twin-turbocharged dual overhead cam horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with sequential multipoint fuel injection, six-speed manual rear- transaxle, four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension with coil springs and anti-roll bar, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 98.4"

In 2012, one 1998 Porsche GT1 'Strassenversion' (Street Version) -Chassis no. WP0ZZZ99ZWS396005 -was sold for US$ 1.175.000 at Monterey RM Auction Sale, with an indicated 7.180 km from new. It is interesting to note that chassis nos. 001, 002, and 003 are street version GT1s with the round 993-style headlights. Nos. 004–022 were delivered with the later 996-style headlights. This car is the second 996-style GT1 street version .

In 2017, one Porsche GT1 Strassenversion -Chassis no. WPOZZZ99ZWS396005-was sold for US$ 5.665.000 at Gooding and Company Auction Sale in Amelia Island, with 7900 km from new.

Porsche GT1 Street Version - 537 hp at 7.000 rpm - exhibit at 2018 Paris Mondial Auto Show

Specifications of the Porsche GT1 1996-1998 :

Engine: 6 cylinder boxer engine, water-cooled, four-valve, 2 overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, 3.164 cc, 95 x 74,4 mm, 600 hp (440 kW) at 7.200 rpm, 650 Nm at 5.500 rpm, electronic injection, 2 turbochargers, 2 charge-air coolers.

Transmission: 6 forward gears, 1 reverse gear, limited slip differential

Braking system: carbon disc brakes

Top speed: 320 kph; Kerb weight 950 kg; Dimensions: wheelbase 2500 mm, front track 1640 mm, rear track 1615 mm, length 4890 mm, width 1990 mm, height 1140 mm, tyres front 27/68-18, rear 30/70_18

Source Porsche Media Archives,RM 2017, Gooding and Company 2012, autocncept-reviews.com and Newspress

Wallpapers of the Porsche 911 GT1 Racing Coupé 1996-1998