Talk show legend and automotive icon Jay Leno recently demonstrated a remarkable level of trust by handing the keys to his 2004 Porsche Carrera GT to German watchmaker CEO Wilhelm Schmid for a memorable test drive.
Schmid, who serves as the chief executive of luxury watchmaker A. Lange & Soehne, is no stranger to prestigious vintage automobiles as the owner of a 1966 Porsche 911 2.0 S and a 1959 Porsche 356 Roadster.
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SubscribeDespite his extensive personal collection, Schmid had never previously driven or even witnessed a Carrera GT being driven on public roads back home in Germany, making the empty mountain routes above Los Angeles a completely new frontier.
Leno acquired the naturally aspirated V10 supercar when it was nearly new, preserving a pristine machine featuring a six-speed manual transmission and a famously demanding ceramic clutch that allows for precise mechanical engagement.
Schmid Chooses Modern V10 Over Classic 356
Following their initial run in the supercar, Leno treated Schmid to a contrasting driving experience behind the wheel of his meticulously built 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 to compare two generations of engineering.
While Schmid praised the nimble handling and mechanical character of the four-cam classic, his heart ultimately remained captured by the raw power and analog feedback of the millennium-era machine.
"I think it is the best modern car that I have ever driven," Schmid declared to Leno after experiencing the unfiltered road feedback and the roaring symphony of the 605-horsepower V10 engine.
When pressed to make a final choice between the two historic Porsche models, the watch executive did not hesitate to name the 2004 Carrera GT his absolute new dream car of a lifetime.