Unseen Porsche Carrera GT Sketch Reveals It Was Close to Being a Coupe

      Porsche/YouTube

      Get The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated with the latest car news, reviews, and features.

      The Porsche Carrera GT is perhaps the most iconic Porsche ever. While the 911 is a well-known name worldwide, among enthusiasts, the Carrera GT holds a special place at the top of the list for many car aficionados. But what if I told you that one of its most distinctive features—besides its V10 engine—was not part of the initial design?

      In the Porsche YouTube series “The Intern,” Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody visits Stuttgart, gaining exclusive access to the automaker’s facilities and employees who share incredible stories. Although the full 28-minute episode is worth watching, I was particularly intrigued by an original sketch of what would later evolve into the Porsche Carrera GT.

      Around the 14-minute mark, Brody is seen interacting with Grant Larson, Porsche’s director of special projects. Unsurprisingly, Larson has a lot of interesting items in his garage, but then he grabs a large collection of old sketchbooks. He pulls out one from 1999 that features the original sketch for the Carrera GT.

      “This is pretty cool; this is the original sketches for the Carrera GT,” Larson stated. “Before the Carrera GT became a roadster, it was just a mid-engine V10 supercar. The project manager at the time asked me to come up with some ideas. This one is from 1999.”

      The design is considerably different from the final version, resembling the Le Mans 911 GT1 more than the actual Carrera GT. This makes sense, as the GT1 was actively racing during that period, likely influencing the design of the automaker’s flagship race car and its top road car.

      Larson takes time to show Brody other sketches, including some distinctive 911 and GT3 models, and even gives him one to take home. I must admit, I feel a bit envious.

      Have a tip? Email us at [email protected]