With the death of the FIA’s World Sportscar Championship after the 1992 season, there was no top-level international sportscar series. The advent of the BPR Global GT series in 1994 provided the world with a competition for production-based race cars but, as this approach started to pique the interest of manufacturers, the definition of what qualified under those regs began to stretch.

 

Porsche originally took its 911 GT2 (993) and modified it as a GT1 car for the series but, after it proved uncompetitive in that class, created what essentially was a new race car, the 911 GT1. The new car shared only the front chassis and head- and taillights of the 993-generation 911 with the rear chassis and engine from the Group C Porsche 962C. It was immediately competitive, finishing 2^nd and 3^rd in the non-BPR Le Mans 24-Hours and winning three of the four BPR Global GT races it entered in 1996.

Late that year Porsche modified the car for the 1997 season with more aerodynamic bodywork which included new headlights from the 996-gen 911. The Porsche 911 GT1 Evo made its debut in the pre-qualifying session for Le Mans and would qualify 2^nd and 8^th fastest (beaten only by the defending winner LMP875-class, Porsche-powered TWR WSC95).

At race start, Bob Wollek in the #25 led the first lap until Michele Alboreto in the TWR WSC95 took over, but by the 4-hour mark, the #25 and #26 911 GT1 Evos were 1^st and 2^nd and continued to lead through the night. At the 15-hour mark they had a 2-lap lead on the defending champions but 45 minutes later, Wollek unexpectedly made an error, running wide at Arnage, hitting a curb and breaking the #25’s driveline joint, causing him to grind to a halt without reaching the pits.

The #26 team Porsche 911 GT1 Evo would take over the lead and stay there for another six hours before Ralf Kelleners’ gearbox seized and, before he could return to the pits, the leaking transmission oil caused a fire that forced him to abandon the #26 out on track.

AUTOart’s recreation of the #25 Porsche 911 GT1 Evo as it appeared during the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans accurately represents the Mobil-inspired livery on the smoothly aerodynamic body. The opening doors and removable front and rear decks reveal the detailed driver’s cockpit and well-appointed engine.

 

The model is in EXCELLENT CONDITION, has never been displayed and comes with the original external box and protective Styrofoam shell and a Certificate of Authenticity.

I closely examine each model and make sure my photos and descriptions are accurate and up-to-date before posting, but all these models were manufactured years ago and consequently some may contain flaws that are the natural result of the diecast model lifestyle. Please examine the provided photos and ask any questions NOT ALREADY ANSWERED HERE before buying - that will save us both a lot of heartache!

 

NOTE: Buyer is responsible for any and all import fees.