For Sale at Auction: 2011 Hennessey Venom GT in Monterey, California

Chassis No. SCCLHCXC1BHD11319
Venom GT Chassis No. 03

In 2007, Road & Track magazine organized a landmark showdown between the world's fastest supercars in a zero-to-200 mph challenge. The competition included Europe's supercar heavyweights of the era: the Mercedes McLaren SLR, Lamborghini Murcielago, RUF Porsche 911 Twin Turbo, and the 987-horsepower Bugatti Veyron 16.4. Hennessey Performance entered their then-latest Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper, and when all was said and done, it emerged victorious by reaching 200 mph in an astonishing 20.3 seconds-nearly four seconds ahead of the Veyron 16.4 in second place.

Following the test, John Hennessey recognized that, despite its impressive result in the showdown, the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Viper layout simply couldn't harness more output without excessive wheelspin. As he later explained, "I thought that we could possibly add a bit more power but had concerns about being able to put that power to the ground via the Viper front-engine rear-wheel-drive platform. My next thought was to reduce weight... try to lighten the Viper from 3,500 lbs to under 3,000 lbs. But that would not be reality as the car could only shed about 200 lbs while still being a true street car with a full interior, AC, etc. One day I joked about putting the Venom 1000 Twin Turbo engine in the back of a Lotus Exige. Then I thought, let's do a sketch and see what that might look like. When I saw the sketch I stopped laughing and really started to seriously think about this idea."

The resulting Venom GT blended a bespoke carbon-fiber monocoque-sourced from Lotus-with a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8 delivering 725 horsepower through a six-speed Ricardo manual transaxle. In its ultimate twin-turbo charged 7.0-liter guise, it could produce 1,200 horsepower and sprint from zero to 60 mph in approximately 2.7 seconds on its way to an unofficial production car record top speed of 270.49 mph. Carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes, fully independent suspension and adjustable aero elements ensured stability at these extreme speeds, while an Alcantara-trimmed interior, comprehensive instrumentation, and factory-fitted air-conditioning-likely having to do with the Venom's Texas origins-demonstrate that creature comforts were not overlooked.

This ultra-rare American hypercar is chassis number 03 of just 13 Venom GTs, including the prototype, completed between 2011 and 2014. Finished in Venom Red complemented by an exposed carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, it rides on 20-inch wheels mounted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires. The focused cabin is neatly trimmed in black leather and Alcantara with white contrast stitching. It is one of two cars specified with a supercharged LS9 engine; all other examples were twin turbocharged according to research.

Assembled at Hennessey's facility near Silverstone, England, this particular Venom GT was reportedly previously registered in the U.K., Bulgaria, and Germany before importation to the U.S. under current ownership. During a test drive earlier in its life, it is believed the car suffered cosmetic damage during a service test drive. The driver reportedly lost control, suffering a spin and subsequent damage to the rear end. The rear spoiler, diffuser, taillights and bumper were replaced as a result. Maintenance under previous ownership is said to have included a service in August 2022 at 2,150 kilometers, which saw the replacement of the injectors, ignition coils, lambda sensors, fuel pump, catalytic converter, spark plugs, shift cables, and an FIA-specification racing tank.

A limited-production hypercar with just a handful produced, this investment-grade Hennessey Venom GT is offered with fewer than 2,300 kilometers from new at the time of cataloging. To acquire this Venom GT is to claim a defining hypercar of the 21st century-one that broke speed records and continued the timeless Anglo-American tradition of marrying raw American power with sophisticated British chassis architecture.

Please note this vehicle is titled as a Lotus