The Carrera GT was already Porsche’s love letter to Le Mans — its screaming V10 was originally developed for the 24 Hours before finding its way into what became one of the most uncompromising supercars ever built. Now, through the company’s Sonderwunsch Factory Re-Commission program, that racing legacy comes full circle with a unique build that pays homage to the marque’s first overall victory at La Sarthe.
A Salzburg Story Worth Retelling
Back in 1970, the Porsche 917 was incredibly dominant. But it took a specific iteration, prepared by Salzburg’s Porsche Alpenstraße dealership and driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood, to finally crack Le Mans. That #23 short-tail, dressed in its unmistakable Guards red and white livery, changed everything for Porsche’s endurance racing program. The Salzburg Design, as it became known, kicked off an era of dominance that would define the brand’s motorsport reputation for decades.
Fast forward to today, and Puerto Rican collector Victor Gómez decided his 2005 Carrera GT deserved to wear those same colors. This is a ground-up restoration that essentially gives the 20-year-old supercar a factory reset, including zero kilometers on the odometer, a complete engine overhaul, and recoated carbon fiber components.
The Works
Designer Grant Larson and his team had to adapt the 917’s graphics to a completely different body — the Carrera GT’s curves and gaps bear zero resemblance to the flat-bodied prototype racer. They sketched, rendered, and literally taped up the car before settling on the final hand-painted design. Even the starting number 23 appears on the doors and hood, protected by transparent film because Gómez actually plans to drive this thing.
Matte black carbon accents hit the roof halves, A and B pillars, mirror caps, front air duct, and rear diffuser. The original five-spoke wheels got refinished in black. Inside, Guards red Alcantara dominates the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, and center console. Matte carbon seat shells and FIA textile from the 918 Spyder balance out all that red.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2005 Porsche Carrera GT
Engine: 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V10
Power: 603hp
Weight: 3,042 lbs
Top Speed: 205mph
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Exterior: Hand-painted Guards red and white Salzburg Design
Interior: Alcantara Guards red with matte carbon accents
Pricing & Availability
Porsche hasn’t disclosed what Gómez paid for this Factory Re-Commission project, though given that concours-condition Carrera GTs trade hands around $2 million these days, you can bet this one-of-one build commanded a serious premium. The car is now complete and headed to Puerto Rico, where its owner plans to actually use it rather than seal it away in climate-controlled storage.
Recap
Porsche Carrera GT 917 Salzburg Tribute
Porsche’s Sonderwunsch team just gave a 2005 Carrera GT a complete factory restoration and dressed it in the iconic red and white livery of the 917 that scored the brand’s first Le Mans victory back in 1970. The whole thing got rebuilt to zero kilometers with a complete engine overhaul.
