My Masterpiece
Jorge Carnicero let his first great love get away—and has regretted it ever since. Experts at
When Jorge Carnicero talks about how it all began, how he met his “first great love” back in 1971, a radiant smile spreads across his face. And quickly disappears. “I made the biggest mistake of my life,” he says. After buying that gorgeous silver metallic
“The car won my heart.” Jorge Carnicero
A sticker on the rear side window exerted what turned out to be an irresistible appeal. It read “
The car is now a
This tiny detail reflects the essence of Carnicero’s delight in the unique design of his dream car. “A lot of people say it’s just a car, but that tells me they don’t understand. When you discover the history behind this work of art, it opens up an entire world of potential,” says Carnicero, who has a degree in visual arts from Georgetown University. “The more you understand a work of art, the greater your passion for it. And precisely that is what
“I love craftsmanship.” Jorge Carnicero
The focus on design and engineering that dominated the many discussions with the people at the Manufaktur has helped Carnicero better understand his cars today. This particular sports car, for example, is more than just a beautiful vehicle. It’s now part of a story. Carnicero’s father, an aviation engineer, taught young Jorge to examine the design and engineering that went into objects in order to appreciate their true value. “With all the mass-produced goods these days, that approach is often no longer relevant,” he observes. “You don’t have this emotional connection anymore.” He rediscovered it in the creative process with the Manufaktur, noting simply, “I love craftsmanship.”
He took a very targeted approach to configuring his GT3 Touring. In questions of color he even consulted an artist and friend, the landscape painter Tom Neel. Carnicero’s model for his GT3 Touring was the millionth
Satin-finished mahogany—an option not available for standard-production cars—highlights the historical concept.
When Carnicero beheld his almost-finished creation for the first time at the
Carnicero displayed his new GT3 for a while at the headquarters of
By Frieder Pfeiffer
Photos Theo Barth