In honor of its 50th anniversary, Porsche decided to pull out all the stops, fundamentally modifiying its 911 GT1, which had appeared at the 24 Hours two years prior. The biggest change involved gaining weight by way of the first carbon fiber shell in the German manufacturer's history!

That 911 GT1-98 was driven by Jörg Müller-Uwe Alzen-Bob Wollek (#25) and Laurent Aiello-Allan McNish-Stéphane Ortelli (#26). In tandem, Porsche officially entered two Joest-Porsche TWR prototypes, winners in 1996 and 1997 for Joest Racing. Renamed the Porsche LMP1 98, the two cars were entrusted to a trio of previous winners (Michele Alboreto-Stefan Johansson-Yannick Dalmas in the #°7) and Pierre Henri Raphanel-David Murry-James Weaver (#8).

The 911 GT1-98 went up against other particularly formidable GTs (Mercedes CLK LM, Nissan R390 GT1, Toyota GT-One) and a newcomer in prototypes, BMW, who recruited two former Le Mans winners: Hans-Joachim Stuck (1986-'87) and Tom Kristensen (1997).

However, natural selection at the 24 Hours is merciless. Mercedes and BMW were out two and six hours into the race, respectively. The 66th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans then turned into a German-Japanese duel between the Porsche 911 GT1-98 and the Toyota GT-One, followed at a respectable distance by Nissan and the LM P1 prototypes.

After a demanding night and a relentless duel for first position, both 911 GT1-98s spent half an hour in their pits: the #25 subsequent to damaging its undercarriage during an incident in a gravel trap, and the #26 to change out a water line.

Aiello-Ortelli-McNish and Wollek-Müller-Alzen then found themselves in second and third positions, pursuing the Toyota GT-One driven by Ralf Kelleners-Thierry Boutsen-Geoff Lees. But 90 minutes from the checkered flag, the latter fell victim to gearbox failure.

At the 24 Hours of Le Mans finish line, Aiello-Ortelli-McNish and Wollek-Müller-Alzen achieved a stunning one-two. Porsche ended up celebrating its 50th anniversary in the best way possible, winning for the 17th time at its favorite race. Sadly, Ferry Porsche had passed away on March 27th and was unable to enjoy the triumph, causing emotions to run high for his son Wolfgang (45 years old at the time), present on the podium at that 66th edition of the 24 Hours.

From 1996 to 1998, eight Le Mans winners drove the 911 GT1 at the 24 Hours: Hans-Joachim Stuck, Yannick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini, Bertrand Gachot, Christophe Bouchut, Allan McNish, Stéphane Ortelli and Laurent Aiello (14 wins at Le Mans between them).

Click below for the first installment in this series:

Porsche 911 GT1 (1) - 1996-1997, a new generation

Photo: In 1998, Porsche celebrated its 50th anniversary with a win at Le Mans for its most famous model: the 911.