Canepa Just Reinvented the Porsche Carrera GT

The Porsche Carrera GT remains one of Stuttgart’s most iconic creations, known for its screaming V10, raw character, and infamous reputation among drivers. In recent years, many companies have tried to bring classic Porsches into the modern day. Builders like Singer, Theon Design, and Zeigler Bailey have all made unique creations in the restomod world. Yet, most of them reimagine old 911s, and few manage to do it quite like Canepa. At the 2026 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance weekend, the California specialist unveiled its first Carrera GT alongside a Barbie-spec 959.

A Carrera GT, Refined Rather Than Reinvented

Canepa built its reputation on restoring rare automotive icons and subtly improving them without compromising their heritage – exactly what they did with this Carrera GT. The GT SC began with a full restoration, followed by a series of tasteful upgrades. The most prevalent change is the Liquid Metal Green paint finish, a color never offered on the original Carrera GT. Color-matched air intakes and engine design keep it classy, while black headlight bezels, exhaust surrounds, and wheel center locks give it a modern touch. Carbon fiber roll hoops and matte carbon detailing in the engine bay make it look like a modern supercar. Inside, the layout remains familiar, but the cabin now features cream leather paired with Alcantara for a more bespoke atmosphere. Thankfully, one of the Carrera GT’s defining features remains untouched: the iconic high-mounted wooden gear lever.

Modern Engineering For A 25-Year-Old Supercar

The original Carrera GT's naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10 makes 603 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque, and remains at the heart of the car. Canepa hasn't commented on whether any powertrain upgrades were made, but no one would complain if they kept the 8,400-rpm redline V10 as is. They did, however, focus on improving drivability. A revised KW suspension system with an integrated lift kit should improve handling, especially considering Carrera GTs were recalled in 2023 due to premature wear on suspension components. Furthermore, Canepa added a new, more durable clutch alongside an upgraded exhaust system.

Porsche Icons Reinvented, The Right Way

The Carrera GT SC wasn’t the only Porsche making headlines during the Amelia weekend. Canepa also revealed an upgraded Porsche 959 SC finished in bold Rubystone Red with a white interior and white wheels. Its twin-turbocharged flat-six now produces a staggering 850 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, nearly doubling the output of the original car. Impressive as that may be, the Carrera GT SC stole our hearts. The original car is already regarded as one of Porsche’s greatest creations ever, leaving little room for improvement without committing sacrilege. Instead of making the Carrera GT even wilder, Canepa embraced its chivalrous nature. The Liquid Metal Green example revealed at Amelia serves as chassis #01, and a second build is already underway.

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