by The backstory of the unique car’s creation
Long before the Porsche Carrera GT became a canvas for Zagato, Canepa, and the foundation for the latest American supercar, Gemballa was the name that defined modified Carrera GTs. The German tuner was the first to take on this task and built its reputation on this car while others were still just eyeing it.
Gemballa introduced its version, the Mirage GT, in 2007, shortly after Porsche ended production of the naturally aspirated V10 supercar. The German company eventually convinced 25 Carrera GT owners to upgrade their cars, and now one of them is heading to auction.
The uniqueness of this example
This particular Mirage GT, the 24th of 25 built, will be sold by auction house Mecum at its Monterey event. It is believed to be one of the few cars that made it to the United States and, likely, one of the most expensive Mirage GTs ever created.
The exterior is finished in Lime Rock Gray Metallic with several bright Sun Yellow accents, including on the headlight blocks, badges, and engine cover. As part of the conversion, Gemballa installed a completely new body, including a custom front end with an impressive bumper and hood.
Exterior appearance and aerodynamic changes
The changes continued along the sides with new side skirts, while a large roof air intake appeared on top—something we believe the Carrera GT should have had from the factory. The rear of the Porsche also received plenty of modifications: a large rear wing, a new diffuser, and unique twin exhaust tips.
What else is special?
Gemballa’s enhancements continue inside the cabin: Slate Gray Alcantara with yellow stitching is used, harmoniously complementing the exterior finish. There is also plenty of carbon fiber—particularly on the transmission tunnel and dashboard. The Mirage GT features a more modern infotainment display than the original Carrera GT.
If such a supercar were built today, we suspect the tuner would likely install a supercharger on the 5.7-liter V10, aiming to extract maximum power. Gemballa did not do this, leaving the engine untouched except for adding a new stainless steel exhaust system, which raised output to 645 hp.
You can view the lot on the Mecum website.
Such a car is a true find for collectors, as it combines the rare factory spirit of the Carrera GT with the equally rare tuning from Gemballa. Given that only 25 examples of the Mirage GT were produced, and most remained in Europe, the appearance of such a lot at an American auction is a major event. Moreover, it is one of the few versions where the engine remains naturally aspirated, making the supercar’s sound and character even more authentic. The value of such a car will likely reach several million dollars, as original Carrera GTs have long surpassed the $2 million mark, and modifications by Gemballa can add another 30–50% to that figure.
