A. Lange & Sohne CEO Selected Porsche Carrera GT
Wilhelm Schmid drove two of Jay Leno's classic Porsches on roads near Los Angeles.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
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Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Sohne, test-drove Jay Leno's 2004 Porsche Carrera GT and 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2. After driving both vehicles near Los Angeles, Schmid identified the high-performance Carrera GT as his preferred choice.
Why it matters
Jay Leno requested the luxury watch executive to compare the two distinct Porsche models to see which vehicle provided a superior driving experience. The test highlighted the engineering differences between a modern V10 supercar and a classic sports car.
The 2004 Porsche Carrera GT utilizes a 5.7-liter V10 engine weighing 3,043 pounds to reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a 205 mph top speed. In contrast, the 1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2 produces 128 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 8.4 seconds.
The players
Wilhelm Schmid
He serves as the CEO of the luxury German watch manufacturer A. Lange & Sohne.
Jay Leno
He is a prominent television host and well-known collector of rare and vintage automobiles.
John Willhoit
He operates a specialized auto restoration shop in Long Beach that focuses on the Porsche 356.
Paul Walker
He was an actor who died in a 2013 single-vehicle collision involving a Porsche Carrera GT.
The details
Schmid navigated the cars on public roads to evaluate their handling and power. Jay Leno has owned the Carrera GT since buying it brand-new in 2004, while John Willhoit maintains the historic 356 model at his specialized restoration shop in Long Beach.
Timeline
1962-1965 marks the production period of the Porsche 356 Carrera 2.
2004 was the year Jay Leno purchased his Porsche Carrera GT brand-new.
November 30, 2013, is the date Paul Walker died in a Porsche Carrera GT accident.
September 21, 2026, is the date of this report.
Roadmap
This test drive highlights the enduring legacy of the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT 5.7-liter V10 engine as a benchmark for high-performance supercars. It contrasts the raw output of modern engineering against the classic, mechanical driving experience offered by historical models like the 356.
For collectors, this comparison underscores the significant maintenance requirements and performance gaps between vintage models and modern supercars. Prospective buyers of similar era vehicles should anticipate vastly different driving dynamics and service costs.
The takeaway
Comparing vehicles from different automotive eras reveals how rapidly performance metrics like horsepower and acceleration have evolved over four decades. Drivers who prioritize raw power and modern speed will likely prefer the technical specifications of a 21st-century supercar.
Further reading
Explore more classic and modern engineering feats on the Performance Vehicles page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Autoevolution.
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