Let's be honest. Most people who decide to "restore" a car do so because rust has eaten away at the sills or because the engine sounds like a coffee grinder with nails in it. But in the world of the ultra-rich, where the Porsche Carrera GT Sonderwunsch is the holy grail of analog motoring, the word "restore" means something entirely different. It means taking something that's already perfect and stripping it down to its bare essentials, just to make the dream of red and white a reality. Victor Gómez from Puerto Rico did just that—and the result is so good that even the Mona Lisa would look like a quick sketch on a napkin. This is the Porsche Carrera GT Sonderwunsch.
Salzburg. A city known for Mozart's balls, festivals and the fact that it is home to one of the most iconic racing murals in history. In 1970, Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood won Le Mans in the red and white Porsche 917 with starting number 23. It wasn't just a victory; it was the moment when Porsche cemented its legendary status. But this time about the Porsche Carrera GT Sonderwunsch.
And now, more than half a century later, here we have the Carrera GT, model year 2005. A car that many (including me, when I'm in a bad mood about electric vacuum cleaners on wheels) call the last true supercar. Why? Because it has a manual transmission, a naturally aspirated V10 and no "safety net" to save your ego when talent runs out. Victor Gómez decided to send his silver beauty back to Stuttgart, to the Sonderwunsch Manufaktur department. The goal? To create a car that technically and visually bridges the gap between 1970 and 2005.
Factory Re-Commission: More than just polishing
Don't think they just repainted the car. That would be too banal. A process called Factory Re-Commissioning, means that the car has been dismantled down to the last screw.
- Engine: The 5.7-liter V10 has been completely revised.
- Carbon: All carbon fiber parts have been recoated.
- Condition: The car has returned to “zero kilometers” condition.
“The special requests specialists worked with great passion and attention to detail,” says Gómez. “I now have a Carrera GT in new condition, with zero kilometers on the odometer.”
This is a sentence that gives car enthusiasts goosebumps. Having a 20-year-old car that is technically new is the ultimate luxury.
Design Challenge: How to dress Carrera in a 917 dress?
Transferring the design from the 917 race car to the Carrera GT is not as simple as “copy-paste.” The geometry is different. The lines are different. Designer Grant Larson and his team actually had to tape the lines onto the real car to find the perfect ratio.
The result is Guards Red with white accents and that famous number 23. But because Mr. Gómez actually wants to drive this car on the roads of Puerto Rico (hats off, sir!), everything is protected with a special foil. The classic is contrasted by matte black carbon. You can find it on the roof panels, A and B pillars and exterior mirrors. The wheels? Original five-spoke, painted black, with a colored Porsche crest that probably costs more than your first car.
Interior: Red that doesn't ask for forgiveness
If the exterior is a tribute to history, the interior is a statement of boldness. Guards Red Alcantara is everywhere. On the dashboard, door panels, center console, even in the trunk. It's a color that wakes you up faster than a double espresso.
The seats are a special chapter. They used black FIA textile, the same as the one in the 918 Spyder. It's a non-flammable material, which is handy considering you're sitting in front of the fuel tank and the high-revving engine. The matte carbon fiber accents in the interior make sure you remember you're sitting in a race car, not a lounge.
Technical Symphony: Numbers That Still Astonish
Although the design is new, the heart remains what makes the Carrera GT a legend. We're talking about engineering that comes straight from the Le Mans program.
- Engine: 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V10
- Power: 450 kW (612 hp) at 8,000 rpm
- Torque: 590 Nm (435 lb-ft)
- Acceleration (0-100 km/h / 0-62 mph): 3.9 seconds
- Top speed: 330 km/h (205 mph)
- Weight: Only 1,380 kg (3,042 lbs)
These are not numbers for drag racing with modern electric cars. These are numbers for a driver. For someone who understands what it means to tame a V10 engine with a manual transmission without assistance systems to correct your mistakes.
Conclusion: Art that roars
The Porsche Carrera GT Sonderwunsch in Salzburg Design isn't just a car. It's proof that "old" doesn't mean outdated. It's a reminder to the industry that no amount of touchscreens and ambient lighting can replace the sound of a naturally aspirated V10 engine revving into redline.
Victor Gómez didn't just order a Porsche Carrera GT Sonderwunsch restoration. He saved a piece of the car's soul and gave it a new look. Price? Porsche isn't talking about it, but if you have to ask, you probably still drive something with four cylinders. And while this car is unique, it gives us hope. Hope that as long as there are people with that kind of passion (and the bank account), true motoring will never truly die.
Today, in a world of silent electric vehicles, this red and white beast roars for us all.