Porsche 911 GT1. Le Mans Legend with Tiff Needell

Tiff Needell gets behind the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT1 - a road going race car, that has earned the title of "automotive unicorn" since its conception in the mid 1990s.
The 1980s saw what many regard as the greatest decade of World Sportscar racing ever seen, as the Group C regulations attracted entries from a dozen or so different manufacturers.
Porsche were quick out of their blocks with their 956/962 models dominating early on as they won six Le Mans 24 Hours races in a row from 1982 to 1987 before Jaguar and Mercedes upset their run, and the final Le Mans podium place for a 962 went to a private entry in 1990 - when Tiff Needell was part of the 3rd placed team chasing the two factory Jaguars home.
Unfortunately, regulation changes drove budgets ever higher and the Group C bubble burst and in 1994 the most popular global series was for the new GT1 category for modified road cars - which saw the McLaren F1 claim the 1995 Le Mans crown.
Opposition to McLaren came from the likes of the Jaguar’s XJ220, Ferrari F40, Lotus Esprit, Chrysler Viper, Venturi, De Tomaso, Bugatti, and the V12 Jaguar powered Lister Storm that Tiff raced … plus the Porsche 911.
We take this race car for the road to Scotland where Tiff relivs some old Le Mans magic in this incredible 1 of 20 car!
Huge thanks to owner / fossilfurious
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[@lovecarsTV]

What’s the rarest car you’ve ever seen on the road?

[@FelixIsMyName]

I once saw a McLaren F1 XP car back in period. It was in Burford, parked on the hill and the hand brake slipped off and rolled down into the car behind it.

[@user-tc7lm9yg3m]

i saw an Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren once in Leipzig

[@Pandamasque]

A very early mk1 Dodge Viper roadster with track widened so much that all of the wheels were completely on the outside of the arches. Looked very illegal.

[@robertlloyd7493]

Ferrari 250 swb left ticking over outside a sweet shop !

[@Zerofightervi]

A Honda Civic FK2 Type R Wagon, one of one.

[@mgcharoudin]

So jealous! And love your interpretation of taking it easy!

[@poplaurentiu4148]

Love people like : Tiff, Chris Harris and yourself ('ring-taxi/pilot).. ;0) and miss the old crew of Top Gear .. without you dedicated folks would be impossible or quite hard for normal people like us to see reviews on such rare car gems !

[@sv3351]

Your zr1 video is my favorite btw

[@AleksandrHalas]

@@poplaurentiu4148 Henry Catchpole Harry Metcalfe, Jetro Bowington

[@BurtSampson]

The 90's were the overall greatest decade of the super car. A complete and total focus on nothing but the car. No driver comfort, no everyday usability, hardly any electronic intervention. Just an amazingly raw and primal driving experience in vehicles that had reached their analogue peak.

[@EmperorXaozx]

Except they were usable. The philosophy of capable monstrosities lasted and died off mostly in the early 2000's.

[@alieffauzanrizky7202]

in fact that this guy drove the legendary porsche 962 is already a huge flex

[@TheBlaert]

There's an awesome Chris Harris video where he meets the designer of the 962. Well worth a watch

[@robfromtherich1922]

This is the first time knowing Tiff’s exploits in the Lemans Porsche racing teams. He is a great story teller. I’d not seen him in the earlier Top Gear shows as they were just not available here on television way back then. Will watch much more of him on this channel.

[@PHOEBE_LOVELY]

@@robfromtherich1922 5th gear it is

[@RoelfvanderMerwe]

I can't believe that Tiff is 69 years old! I'm 33 and I don't have as much energy as he does!

[@DouEditz]

YOU WISH!!!

[@h.4rry677]

Roelf my friend if you was given the keys to this car you'd have energy you didnt know about!! P.s im 35 and feel the same as you 🤣

[@mosca3289]

Have more sex, it will perk you up.

[@jimmyb4982]

It's all the tea.

[@Mark-vn7et]

@@mosca3289 yup, but not with your wife! That will spice up your life😂

[@Manuel89tcf]

Who could dislike this?? Thanks to Tiff! Been watching him half of my life and he never disappoints.

[@fartloudYT]

pointless addition of music and really weak audio overall. plenty of youtube channels have nailed that down.

[@sashidemedia]

Ferrari

[@henkduits102]

They drive a Toyota Prius

[@Shvetsario]

Too much talking not enough driving

[@michal.laskowski.]

Like a CLK GTR twin. Astonishing cars both of them

[@VarioFelce]

and a Maserati MC12

[@Obi-WanKannabis]

@@VarioFelce a Maserati MC12 is just a rebodied enzo for racing. If anything this is the opposite. The MC12 is adapting a road car to the track. This is an adapted race car for the road.

[@VarioFelce]

@@Obi-WanKannabis nope, is the same thing. Go listen to her story from her designer on youtube, Frank Stephenson. You'll like it

[@chijen2010]

Nope. It doesn’t do somersaults like a CLK GTR.

[@knightsofn1]

@@chijen2010 Yes they did. A quick KZbin search for "911 gt1 flip" will find it.

[@Mario.madeleni]

I feel extremely privileged to be hearing what it's like driving one of the rarest road-going racers from a man that raced them, I almost felt like I was there myself. That's the level we're on here. Thank you Lovecars, and thank you Mr. Needell.

[@lovecarsTV]

Thank you for the kind comments!

[@lucaspinosa608]

I have goosebumps. The car is just astonishing, but Tiff, the video quality, the photography... all is exquisite. Bravo, Lovecars!

[@yeknommonkey]

Yes love it. Plenty of normal car noise, no stupid over the top flashy cuts and editing etc. Amazing and refreshing. Tiff is the dude too, love to hear his descriptionsnof cars I'll never even sit in. Not just a ridiculous list of superlatives and nonsense like you get with some others...😜

[@DreamWorkDrive]

I'm a simple man I see GT1 and Tiff, I watch it and immediately click on like!

[@JamesFHarrison]

Absolutely love Tiff. He's just so enjoyable to watch and has such a wealth of knowledge. The man is an asset to any production company, or racing team for that matter!

[@Inazuma68]

Just bought a 996 GT3 CS. The little brother gives you so much excitement while driving 🙌

[@logwind]

First an F50 and now a GT1? This channel is a 90s golden era supercar dream. Thank you Tiff and team.

[@supercharged5653]

tiff, please - never stop!! sincerely, every petrolhead ever

[@PhreshPharaoh36]

Tiff reviewing a 996 GT1? This feels straight out of the 90's to me! Well done everyone involved!

[@lordmaster5522]

The thumbnail said it’s the 1st gen which is a 993 GT1. The 2nd gen went from air-cool to water-cool as the 996 GT1.

[@wendellnovais]

@@lordmaster5522 Yeah but this is a 996,they've made a mistake on the thumbnail.

[@themadhatter444]

Love Tiff's positive attitude in these videos. What a breath of fresh air from the routine high brow route that most automotive KZbin channels seem to be taking these days.

[@AJTalks]

Gorgeous car. Wish they could use this design again

[@InHerMajestiesDefense]

they did something similar with a different 911 racecar.

[@aaryeshg.6526]

If only the 996 GT2 had the same headlight design as the GT1. If only....

[@MrCarGuy]

Porsche released photos of design studies a few days ago. They were almost ready to do a 919 street version.

[@AJ-ms1oi]

Hi, you have same name as me! :-)

[@scfMetro]

Hopefully Porsche will do a Le Mans Hypercar, maybe that will look similar

[@smacdiesel]

996 owners should appreciate the headlights! Such heritage!!!

[@precertvideo]

The first (racing) version had the round lights of the 993, then changed half way through to early 996 type

[@Shrike200]

Fried egg owners club unite!

[@rumrnr78]

@@Shrike200 I have a blue 2000 996 with the side skirt and GT3 rims. In my mind, I see the car in the video when I look at my “Bonnie Blue”

[@JoeAchilles1]

Another incredible video, Tiff on fire and one of the best edits out there 🔥

[@benlotus2703]

Excellent video with Tiff driving a £10 million car is a great video ! 10/10 Great commentary (if you can hear Tiff with 552 HP roaring), vast experience and knowledge, and also superb driving skills and excellent production values by the video makers !

[@MrLathor]

This is an absolute unicorn of a car. Amazing that Tiff got to actually drive it hard on the road.

[@ELUSIVEJIM]

I have been lucky enough to see this car in the flesh in the Aberdeenshire area in Scotland. Looks even more amazing in the flesh. Well done to the owner allowing Tiff to review this amazing machine.

[@zeustanbul]

That flat-six sound is music to my ears. I watched this with a smile on my face. P.S. This machine was the best car in good old Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed if anybody remembers. I tried many lap records with it for hours at that time.

[@precertvideo]

Yes played it loads on PS1 and Gameboy Advance

[@BL-zt4es]

Tiff will always be one of the best motoring presenters. His love and passion for cars is felt in all his reviews.

[@dayalanvelan3070]

Great to see Tiff at it again . The greatest car journalist of all time .

[@barryjohnson5288]

He's better than Jeremy Clarkson!

[@step0601]

I was building a house extension for Julian Bailey in around '96. He arrived at the house one day in a Jaguar Lister Storm road car. The sound of it was crazy, it was silver from what I remember. Never seen one since but I'll never forget how much of a spectacle that car was.

[@PixelVogue]

Thanks to the owner, who looks like there is no garage queens in his garage!

[@robindelabra3874]

any idea who the owner is? would love to follow on IG.

[@PixelVogue]

@@robindelabra3874 check the video description

[@robindelabra3874]

@@PixelVogue oh,right...thanks

[@howardmckenna]

I'm in no way a Porsche fan-boy, but that is exquisite!

[@vtr0104]

This and the CLK-GTR are basically my hero-cars from when I was a kid.... Amazing stuff, and Tiff is always great to watch and listen to :D

[@benfl9636]

Tiff is as legendary as the 911 gt1. This is just a video of legends

[@lovecarsTV]

👌👌

[@Paul8342]

Tiff and this channel are kicking the ass of everything else at the minute - this is the stuff of dreams!

[@benlotus2703]

Excellent video with Tiff driving a £10 million car is a great video ! 10/10 Great commentary (if you can hear Tiff with 552 HP roaring), vast experience and knowledge, and also superb driving skills and excellent production values by the video makers !

[@the_katman2181]

Those roads and that countryside are gorgeous.

[@JBthemanwithcars]

I’m pretty sure it’s the A93 and mostly filmed between Glenshee , Braemar and up to Balmoral. I drive here often and always count myself fortunate to have them on my doorstep.

[@the_katman2181]

@@JBthemanwithcars It's beautiful. I live pretty much on the other side of the world, but I'd love to go to Scotland one day for a proper road trip.

[@JBthemanwithcars]

@@the_katman2181 you won’t be disappointed. I recently let JayEmm on Cars review my Aston Martin Vantage on these very same roads for his KZbin channel. It’s well worth a watch.

[@kaanavar7662]

This is the first time I have seen an example that is driven. Perfect car Perfect color Perfect condition

[@sorinionescu4434]

TIFF, we re a simple, rafined, class one driver Gentleman!

[@grahambruce155]

What a car, been fortunate enough to have seen it up close a couple of times. The owner has quite a wonderful collection of super/hyper cars.

[@Drifty325i]

Loved it when the backend stepped out, the look on his face. Love cars like this

[@wascarperez9672]

I could watch Tiff all day long🏎🏎⌚

[@andytaylor2321]

This is where the inspiration for the 996 lights started

[@phil.i.am2]

Great to see Tiff back and driving legendary cars! finally something all true enthusiasts can watch and enjoy 👌🏼

[@colinnotyou0k78]

This is the type of history lesson I love 👍❤

[@datdudeinred]

Pls switch to 4k as these legendary cars and videos deserve all the quality they can get

[@paulsimonsson]

Tiff has not aged a day in 15 years, good going!

[@justinevans1894]

Fabulous, good work Tiff and team!

[@KNMK259]

Tiff and the fact that he went to Singapore. The story makes the car so exciting.

[@mandst5466]

Watched Tiff on the telly all my life, best of the bunch IMHO 👍🏻

[@GeorgesMiniatureCars]

This car is one of the many reasons I love Porsche! I love Cars and I love lovecars!!!

[@crxtodd16]

Tiff is a legend. We're lucky to have him!!

[@Chrissy-H]

Wow! Great film, these gt1 cars are unicorns. Amazing to see a proper review of one!

[@nickthaskater]

Missing these homologation specials. So awesome. This alongside the CLK-GTR was so iconic of the mid-90s.

[@jamesbingham1081]

Tiff is such a legend.

[@bilson8858]

I've never actually seen this car on KZbin before. I don't know why because it's so cool.

[@quackman]

so rare: only 20 made and very expensive so people just can't get their hands on them.

[@romanempire88]

This is the only one I've seen getting driven a ton on KZbin. It's been in a good number of videos; kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5bJZ6KCoNOCo8U

[@jaferkhan4108]

Loved seeing Tiff in such an amazing series. MORE OF THIS AMAZING CONTENT

[@dam0ne]

I'm a simple guy, I see 911 and Tiff Needle, I click on the video, then the like button then watch the video.

[@chrispritchard1035]

To drive that car, in that scenery, is a dream!...👍👍

[@mattireland497]

Got my subscription! Tiff at his best!

[@marcnobel3938]

Yea! F1 in the rain, Lovecars Video on a rainy day - fits all together today :-) - Amazing to see a car like the GT1 in Action again. These are really cool cars but a very rare sight. Great Video! Thank you Lovecars!

[@ih8temoney]

Only Tiff gets to drive the best of the best.

[@elmerrichardson6413]

That's the baddest ass Porsche I've ever seen! Your commentary on this car was incredible, especially the weaved in views of your early days of racing. Tiff, you are the standard by which all others are judged..

[@simonmurfin1910]

That's some find! Well done to the team for getting that filmed, and it such an amazing location.

[@walterdog898]

its beautiful. I've looked at this for five hours now

[@Porsche996driver]

This is why I have the genuine Porsche (Minichamps) 1:43 models of this all 3 years 1996/97/98!! 👌🏽🇩🇪🏁

[@Bigbry8888]

The man just loves cars - Top Tiff

[@stevencroker1569]

Loved that video Tiff and team - this is absolutely the type of content we want to see ...

[@martinthegooner]

I love tiffs passion you actually feel like you are in the car with him, when you see the dross that is now top gear it’s great you can still see real reviews on real cars with real petrol heads on love cars 😊

[@memberman]

Perfect car and perfect person to drive it. Good to see Tiff around

[@WorldofColnago]

Tiff is a top notch bloke

[@n.a1827]

I watched those episodes of T.G. back in the day when tiff drove the 993 style of this GT1 they are awesome but didn't look as beautiful as this one ,seen this on the road and at Porsche cars GB and good wood .

[@MrB590]

Seen that video , those turbo noises mmmmm

[@humanbeing1675]

The letter "ß" in "Straßenversion" has nothing to do with an "f" or a "b" as some may think. Its in fact a double "s" and pronounced accordingly. ( Don't want to mention the prononciation of vocals before the "ß".) Just to let you know..😉 By the way...gorgeous car.

[@Mladjasmilic]

What about tsch?

[@Il_Biondo]

@@Mladjasmilic it's like the "tch" as is Margaret Thatcher

[@jonathanweise1523]

a German approved this comment.

[@longtailgt]

Yes because in Germany, street is "strasse". And I got to know this because of NFS High Stakes and the Landstrasse track.

[@justicewarrior9187]

It's a useless letter it's what you mean

[@zDialecticChaos]

Porsche is the epitome of driving satisfaction/involvement with impeccable reliability!

[@rs4xdave361]

Love the car and love it even more when we get Tiff behind the wheel 👌🏼

[@Ditypo]

I've only started watching Tiff and I must say he really is the dugs baws! Proper racer unlike many other journalists! (Chris Harris exception)

[@petet-rex5589]

Yes. He can drive unlike 98% of the millennial dorky KZbin car reviewers dorks out there. Uh (Doug Demerol) for example

[@samholland7793]

Love this 😍

[@robertlloyd7493]

Love the new TV show...a car program that's about cars....long may it live

[@damonm3]

If I could live anyone’s life tiff would be near the top of the list. What a life🔥🔥

[@LEEROY_UK]

Tiff is a Legend that’s all I have to say....

[@jimmyb4982]

Noted.

[@hellothere9262]

3:44, huh would've thought they could have made it lighter than that.

[@connorhutton1496]

Underrated comment 😂

[@SF_Native]

Amazing. Love the influence this had on the 996.1

[@lovecarsTV]

👌👌

[@nostopping]

What a performance!!! This car is why my favorite 911 gen is the 996, amazing.

[@IKVRUS]

The thumbnail says '993' even though a '996' is shown lol

[@sammazgames]

it is a 993, its just the Evo version which used 996 styling cues

[@IKVRUS]

@@sammazgames aren't 993 gt1's and 996 gt1's two separate models?

[@greebuh]

@@sammazgames this is the 1998 model. Which is 996.

[@scottmargerison]

All road going versions have the 993 dash board. There are 2 or 3 with 993 head lights. The cars were built when the switch over was taking place from 993 turbo to 996 turbo.....

[@ALMX5DP]

Sorry Harry's Garage, your F8 Tributo video will have to wait!

[@HQBProductions]

Dream You Tube presenter group...Tiff, Harry Metcalfe and Henry Catchpole .....that would be even more special!!! Tiff...you remain one of my all time best drivers...deep ability, a warm smile, utter confidence and free of the 30 something beardy millionaire man with a bunch of PCP contracts...you are on another Planet of genuine enthusiasm and knowledge.😀😀😀

[@vertinsation]

i feel heavy envy on this guy, 911 GT1 is my favourite Porsche of all time

[@aviationlba747]

I’ve never seen a blue 911 GT1, it looks menacing!

[@kierandunning3050]

I believe it used to be yellow and got repainted

[@aviationlba747]

Interesting... I can imagine how cool yellow would look on this thing.

[@juanesteban8827]

In a world filled with two pedal cars that use a variety of electronic bits to go fast its refreshing to see a proper driving machine that requires, but also rewards, talent from the driver to go fast!

[@DriftedDreams]

I have been in love with this car since I was 11 years old. I saw it in the fastest cars from around the world book circa 1998 and it has always been my favourite car in the world. I would donate organs just to see one in the flesh. Awesome stuff.

[@rider-the-slider]

The thumbnail is wrong, this is a 996 GT1 and not a 993 GT1.

[@christophegenbrugge6815]

this is a 993 with 996 lights, all gt1's are based on 993 parts combined with custom race parts.

[@BillyBoy444]

The 996 gearknob and those fried egg headlights.

[@noobymcnoobs]

Look closely at the back and it has 996 rear lights tucked away behind the aero as well

[@jasondunphy1170]

It is a 996 not a 993

[@AmarjeetSingh-ui9oy]

A great road and pure racing machine = DRIVER'S DREAM

[@PratikParija]

Loved that transition from now to your old clips. Really well done! One of my favorite GT1 cars of all time.

[@FenderUsa]

says 993 in the thumbnail? looks like a 996

[@stichupman]

Yeah I thought the same headlights are the biggest giveaway.

[@izzieb]

Quoting Wikipedia: "Porsche developed two fully road-legal versions, dubbed "911 GT1 Straßenversion", and delivered one in early 1996 to the German government for compliance testing, which it passed. The second vehicle is in the hands of Bahrain-based private car collector Khalid Abdul Rahim. These two cars feature 993 style front headlights. A further 20 units were built in 1997 with 996 style front headlights"

[@Mvrk63]

I think there's only two 993 GT1 Strassenversion, this is definitely a 996 GT1

[@stichupman]

@@izzieb good to know thanks mate.

[@NeedellTiff]

Good spot! However the original homologation was done with the 993 chassis but by the time they build the 20 road cars the 996 was on the market so they got their headlights.

[@richboy900]

Would rather one of these over a chiron or koenigsegg anyday of the week

[@ishkaranbrar313]

Chiron is a GT. Much much different. Irrelevant preference.

[@BastianKH]

@@ishkaranbrar313 Gt1 also. Or what do you think the Gt in Gt1 stands for?

[@ishkaranbrar313]

@@BastianKH But it's a hardcore racer. Chiron is a blend of luxury, comfort, usability and smooth performance. That's how Bugatti and the reviewers describe it.

[@superfast30]

Tiff is a living legend!

[@HankAaronJoseph19]

This is one car I wouldn't give back

[@TheGreener121]

Thumbnail fail, this isnt the 993 version but the 996. Correct name: Porsche 911 GT1 Evo

[@eastielover]

The 993 race car was called the “911 GT1”. The 996 race car was called “911 GT1 Evo” All the street versions were called the 993 GT1

[@TheGreener121]

@@eastielover This is wrong. All the "996" GT1s were called "Evo" for obvious reasons. The racecars simply "911 GT1 Evo", the streetcars to be precise "911 GT1 Evo Straßenversion". de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_GT1

[@NeedellTiff]

@@TheGreener121 Good spot! However the original homologation was done with the 993 chassis but by the time they build the 20 road cars the 996 was on the market so they got their headlights.

[@PetrolheadTours]

Not a 993 GT1 - but that won’t stop me watching it 😁

[@NeedellTiff]

Good spot! However the original homologation was done with the 993 chassis but by the time they build the 20 road cars the 996 was on the market so they got their headlights.

[@rickybobby0314]

Much love for you Tiff! You are such a joy to watch and listen to. I would be so star struck if I were to ever see you in person for sure. 👍👍

[@omkarkhamkar9388]

Tiff would be such a great Grandpa 😬😬.. so many racing stories to hear 😍😇

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Would love the new Top Gear to have been Tiff, Chris Harris and maybe Jason Plato and less of the bollocks the show has turned into and more of this

[@1johnrambobo262]

Who the hell slaps a couple of Swiss highway tax stickers so casually on such a rare windscreen ?

[@Baerchenization]

Mankind has successfully put stickers on glass and removed them again for over a hundred years... what is your point?

[@1johnrambobo262]

@@Baerchenization What does mankind have to do with neglect for sticking and leaving outdated tax stickers I the pilots full view? Mankind doesn’t drive around in cars worth 10mio., and I assume that the few who have that chance have a descent sense of respect for what they own. I understand why you don’t get my point, but that’s ok

[@steadyrockscotland]

Momentos from three 1,000 mile trips across Europe. Historically, cars used to retain stickers and badges from races. They can always be removed. Not worth caring about.

[@fireoil]

I was electric driven this car when i was 12 on racetrack back in 2003. A 1/10 scale Tamiya f103 carbon chassis gt1 lm98 winner edition. Bough used from a champ. Slick tyres. It was incredible... so yeah, a dream car !

[@weejim48]

Tiff Needell, another one of Britain’s unsung heroes. 👍