One-Off 911 GT3 Pays Tribute To Le Mans Winner

Paying Tribute

Porsche has a rich history at Le Mans, one worth celebrating at any given moment, which is precisely what the automaker has done recently. Now, it's done that once again by creating a very special 911 GT3 for Paolo Barilla, who commissioned the car for his 60th birthday. As for the 911 itself, well, it pays tribute to the Porsche 956 that Barilla piloted to an overall victory at Le Mans in 1985.

Photos: Porsche

Special Creation

Barilla was the first customer to complete a project together with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur as part of the new Sonderwunsch program. The Italian entrepreneur wanted to design a unique 992 Porsche 911 GT3 based on his Le Mans-winning car and also wanted to be fully involved in its creation. In addition to its Summer Yellow hue, this special car features Barilla's number 7 on its hood and doors. Other features such as the rear wing and the gear lever were also reinterpreted and in part developed independently.

Photos: Porsche

Unique Interpretation

"In the Eighties, I had the chance to drive the wonderful Porsche 956, an iconic car in terms of performance and beauty," said Barilla, ex-racing driver and Deputy Chairman of the Italian food company. "The interpretation of some elements in a modern GT3 makes that memory exciting and vital – for me and for people who are close to me.”

Photos: Porsche

Little Things

The GT3's Summer Yellow, white, and black livery reinterprets the striped design of the historic racing car. The front apron and the trim rings on the headlights are also painted in Summer Yellow. The design of the center-lock wheels is inspired by the wheels of the Porsche 956. When used in racing, these had White aero blades. The 911 GT3 wheels are also white at the front, while the rear axle is painted in a modern gold color.

Photos: Porsche

Race Car

Black dominates the interior, as you would expect in a racing car. The door entry guards and the decorative trim in yellow on the passenger side dashboard are decorated with a logo specially designed with the customer in mind. It combines the type code 956, the "Le Mans 1985" logo, and the stylized silhouette of the race car. This logo and the 1985 circuit are embroidered in the headrests. The gear lever is reminiscent of the magnesium ball in the 956 racing car and is an elaborate custom-made product - the top part was milled from an aluminum block and the surface was sanded.

Photos: Porsche

Finishing Touches

The side plates on the rear spoiler are also influenced by the design and geometry of their historic predecessor. Sample components were initially developed using rapid prototyping. Naturally, aerodynamic performance and, in particular, the balance between the front and rear axles needed to be retained, so the aerodynamic engineers from the series-produced 911 GT3 were included in the project at a very early stage. The modified rear wing had to prove its flow characteristics in the wind tunnel. "PB 60" is blazoned across the flanks, representing Paolo Barilla's initials and age. The style of this logo is inspired by the graphic of the then main sponsor of the Le Mans-winning car.

Photos: Porsche

Member of the Family

Barilla visited Porsche three times during the concept phase to actively take part in the project from specification to completion. During the implementation phase, frequent consultations took place via telephone, email, and video conference, followed by further visits with his very own works ID. "Paolo Barilla was very pleased about this detail," says Setter. "When the Porsche works ID was handed over in person, he officially became part of the team and our Porsche family."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about this one-off 911 right here at Rennlist.com.

>>For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section.