Discover the story behind the Porsche hypercar that was based on the GT1 race car that would later win the 24H of Le Mans
Like many of the most exclusive, most striking Porsche sportscars, the 911 GT1 Strassenversion (English translation: ‘street version’) owes much to the technology in Porsche racing cars. Its creation was as much down to necessity (at the time, endurance race cars needed to have a homologated version in order to compete) as it was a chance to showcase Porsche design and engineering prowess. The result was a car that looked like a race car for the road and boasted the performance to match.With just a handful made, they are a very rare spot indeed on the road – and when one comes up for sale, they naturally create huge excitement among fans of Porsche and fast cars in general. It took elements from the 911 – notably, early versions wore the familiar front end of the type 993-era model of the time, later ones the type 996 – as well as the fabled 962 race car. With many other elements derived from Porsche motorsport at the time, the 911 GT1 Strassenversion is a true hypercar.The 911 GT1 Strassenversion is yet another awe-inspiring example of how Porsche can make dreams a reality, which was a true then as it is today.One of the early 1996 prototype versions of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion hits the city streets in Germany. Based on the GT1 race car, it was in part developed to satisfy entry regulations laid down by organisers of the GT1 race series Photo: PorscheWhat is homologation in motorsport terms?Homologation is essentially the requirement laid down by the governing body of certain motorsport classes based on production cars that you need to make a certain number of road-going versions of a race car available. That might mean just creating the one example, but often manufacturers would build more. Before the unveiling of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion in the late 1990s, other Porsche road cars that owe their existence to homologation rules include the 911 Carrera RS (1973), 911 Turbo (1975) and 911 Carrera RS (1992). What year was the 911 GT1 Strassenversion produced?There were, in fact, three different versions of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion made. Early examples were made from type 993-generation donor cars, but later models took several parts and design inspiration from the new type 996 version of the 911.The 911 GT1 Strassenversion began life when the then head of Porsche Motorsport, Herbert Ampferer, was charged with developing a new race car for the GT1 class. With Norbert Singer, the famed head of the Porsche sports and operations division, and Horst Reitter, who was involved in designing the monocoque for the 956 Group C race car, they began work on a race car that was part inspired by the type 993-era 911 and influenced by the beautiful rear section of the formidable 962 race car. Also involved was Harm Lagaay, head of design and his designer Tony Hatter. When the GT1 race car made its debut in 1996, just the one homologation car was made.The vast majority of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion models produced are the 1997 example. These featured the familiar type 996-era headlights of the 911 at the time. In 1998, Porsche produced a single, all-new version – lighter than previous models and the last to be produced – again to comply with FIA homologation stipulations for GT1 race cars.With the 1997 version of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion – pictured here on German streets alongside a type 964 Cabriolet – approximately 20 cars were developed for sale to the public. It still turns heads today, just as it did back then Photo: PorscheWhat is the technology and design influences behind the 911 GT1 Strassenversion?The early prototype 911 GT1 Strassenversion models were based on the 1996 911 GT1 race car, with the same 3.2-litre, twin-turbo, flat-six mounted in a mid-engine position (as opposed to the regular rear-engined 911). The prototypes had a peak power output of 544 PS (536 hp) compared to the near 600 PS (592 hp) of the race car variant. Its styling derived much from the type 993-era 911 of the time. Its sweeping rear end, meanwhile, resembled the 962 race car. Things changed somewhat for the 1997 version that was made available for a select group of customers to purchase. In contrast, its front end took from the new type 996. You’ll spot elements taken from the 911 in the tight cockpit area too – like its three-spoke steering wheels, as well as familiar switchgear. Its Recaro seats came from the 996 Speedster.An intriguing feature is the roof vent, which was integrated into the final design – although it meant headroom was at a premium for taller drivers. Its doors are made of carbon fibre while its significant rear wing stretches the full width of the body. It even features a small luggage compartment – once again a nod to homologation requirements – that’s built into the rear bodywork. A road car it may be, but the 911 GT1 Strassenversion is as close as many an owner will ever get to driving a Porsche race car on public streets.The final variant of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion appeared in 1998. A more lightweight version than previously, it featured striking gullwing doors. Just one version was made, once again to meet homologation credentials Photo: PorscheWhat is the 911 GT1 race car?The race car that the 911 GT1 Strassenversion was based on had a successful career. When it made its 24H of Le Mans debut in 1996, the 911 GT1 hit a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight during practice. In the race itself, it finished second and third overall (first and second in the LMGT1 class) behind the LMP1 class Joest Racing TWR Porsche WSC-95.A privately-owned version of the new 911 GT1 race car – known as the 911 GT1 Evo – would secure fifth overall at the 1997 24H of Le Mans as well as top five finishes in the endurance races held that season at Spa, Suzuka, Mugello, Sebring and Laguna Seca.But in 1998, another all-new car – the GT1-98 – proved its credentials beyond any doubt when a works race car won the 24H of Le Mans overall, driven by Great Britain’s Allan McNish, France’s Laurent Aïello and Monaco’s Stéphane Ortelli. Another GT1-98 claimed the runner-up spot. It was the 16th – and record-breaking – victory for the manufacturer at the world’s most famous endurance race.The interior of the sole 1998 version of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion featured a more-stripped back interior than the 1997 model. On display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, gone is much of the 911-derived switchgear and instrument cluster while the steering wheel is a race-focused Momo example Photo: PorscheHow many of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion were made and how much do they cost?Two prototype versions of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion were made in 1996 for homologation purposes followed by a run of approximately 20 units of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion in 1997. In 1998, a single slimmed-down, more lightweight version was made, again for homologation purposes.Understandably, the very few examples of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion made were snapped up immediately at the time. As a result, they rarely come up for sale – and when they do, you will require significant funds in order to secure one.As an example of how infrequent the opportunity is to get your hands on this slice of Porsche history, the most famous recent example of one being sold was in 2017. That was when a 911 GT1 Strassenversion was presented at the Gooding & Co auction at Amelia Islands and sold for a fee of $5,665,000 (equivalent to around $7,500,000 today – or circa £5,530,000/€6,400,000).The 1998 911 GT1 Strassenversion alongside its race car sibling – the famous 1998 24H of Le Mans-winning GT1-98 – at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart Photo: PorscheHow fast is the 911 GT1 Strassenversion?All three years of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion production cycle used a 3.2-litre L twin-turbo flat-six engine. The 1996 and 1997 versions have a power output of 544 PS (536 hp) and can sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph). The single 1998 model has a similar 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time as its predecessor and a top speed of 308 km/h (191 mph). Outstanding performance, combined with its head-turning hypercar design, is undeniable proof of the gamechanging credentials of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion.What do the automotive press and car blogs say about the 911 GT1 Strassenversion?“One of the most radical and unforgiving road-going supercars of [its] time.”Supercars.net“[When] you get under its skin, it’s a fantastically confidence-inspiring car.”Top Gear (UK)“This car seems to transform thought into movement. Once the roads dry out, grip is restored, and it's enormous – way beyond the normal boundaries of road driving. The GT1 is planted on the surface, and you need the room and safety of a skidpad, combined with brutal power applications, to snap the tail out.”Car and Driver (US)
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