New for the second time, a 20 year old Porsche Carrera GT reborn at the Salzburg factory
Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division once again proved that with enough persistence and a sufficiently deep wallet, even a Carrera GT can be returned to life as a near zero kilometre car. This time it emerged wearing colours inspired by the victorious Le Mans Porsche 917 Salzburg.
Porsche likes to talk about heritage, but rarely does it appear in such a direct and expensive form. Víctor Gómez, a Puerto Rico based car dealer and Porsche collector, sent his almost 20 year old Carrera GT back to the factory to be completely dismantled, mechanically restored and then rebuilt from the ground up. The result is a car that effectively left the factory for a second time, its odometer reset and its appearance paying tribute to Porsche’s first outright Le Mans victory in 1970.
The inspiration needs little explanation. The red and white colour scheme, start number 23 and unmistakable references point straight to the 917 Salzburg driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood. This was not a modern heritage decal exercise. The Carrera GT’s proportions, air intakes and surfaces leave no room for casual graphics. Every element of the design had to be reworked with care.
The V10 engine and entire chassis were stripped and inspected down to the smallest components before reassembly. Porsche says the finished car meets new vehicle standards, a claim few would publicly question at this level.
Visually, the Salzburg theme is reinforced by extensive use of matte black carbon fibre. The roof, A and B pillars, mirror housings, front air intakes and rear diffuser all follow this treatment. The engine cover grilles were anodised black and the original five spoke wheels finished in the same colour, keeping the overall look purposeful rather than showy.
Inside, the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and centre console were trimmed in Indian Red Alcantara. The material even extends to the front luggage compartment and a bespoke luggage set. Practical it is not, but the message is unambiguous.
Matte carbon fibre provides contrast around the seat shells, air vents and instrument cluster. The seat centres and headrests use FIA compliant fire resistant fabric familiar from the 918 Spyder. This is not a decorative flourish but a reminder that the Carrera GT’s foundations remain firmly rooted in motorsport.
Porsche calls the project a Factory Re Commission. A more cynical observer might describe it as an extremely expensive way to make an already rare car even more personal. Yet this is exactly what keeps the Sonderwunsch programme alive and ensures the Carrera GT myth continues, without resorting to electric motors or modern reinterpretation.
