2000 Porsche 911 (996.1) GT3 Clubsport

Please note - this vehicle has been sold pre-sale.

The Porsche 911 (996) GT3 is widely considered to be the spiritual successor to the original 1973 Carrera RS. Initially introduced by Porsche in 1999 in limited numbers, these very special, first year of production models, really were race-cars-for-the-road. They were originally only produced in sufficient numbers to comply with the FIA Homologation requirements necessary for the 911 to compete in the FIA's GT3 category of production sports car racing and consequently, some of the production involvement for this original batch of GT3 cars happened away from the main factory line, with the Motorsport Division at Weissach finishing each car's final build. The Motorsport Division had a big hand in the development of these cars too, with the GT3 forming the basis for one of Porsche’s most successful and prolific GT race cars. These sensational road-cars used a dry-sump, normally-aspirated development of the Le Mans winning GT1 racer’s flat-six, however it’s not just that there’s so much power and outright speed on offer – headline figures of 360bhp, 187mph and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds – but that there’s so much response whatever the revs, and so much character too. The engineering depth is tangible, with a bespoke engine fitted with titanium conrods that help keep it smooth and safe to heady almost 8,000rpm. To make the GT3 fit for circuit use, the brakes, suspension and wheels were uprated to cope with the substantial increase in performance, whilst aerodynamic downforce was enhanced by a larger front air dam and a distinctive rear spoiler. Weight reduction extended to the removal of the rear seats and most of the sound deadening, rear speakers, sunroof, and air conditioning, though the latter could be ordered as an option, as could a CD/radio. 

Porsche offered an option for the GT3 called the 'Clubsport' package. This replaced the standard leather front seats with manually adjustable racing buckets finished in fire-retardant fabric, single mass flywheel, bolt-in half-roll cage, six-point drivers racing harness, fire extinguisher and preparation for a battery master switch. Twist the key and the flat-six churns into life and idles with a whirring, rumbly voice that won’t quite settle to a smooth, consistent rpm. This isn’t a fault but a characteristic of the Clubsport models, which ditch the standard twin-mass flywheel for a lighter one that gives a throbby, hunting idle in pursuit of sharper throttle response.

These early GT3s were produced in small numbers (and not sold to the US) with 1,350 cars initially, then a second batch of 508 cars, with 308 in RHD worldwide, with only 106 imported to the UK, of which 28 were Clubsports.

One of those 28, this C16 (UK-delivered) 2000 Porsche 911 (996.1) GT3 Clubsport is in simply superb condition, appears to have never been on-track, and has led a very closeted but well-maintained life. It has covered a fully verifiable 36,294 miles from new and has been in our vendor’s care for the last 11-years having always been garaged during his long-term ownership and only used on dry days.

Finished in the classic Porsche colour of Artic Silver Metallic, with a black cloth-trimmed interior with red stitching and an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, as well as leather on the handbrake, gear lever, door cards, and dashboard, all of which is offset by a body-coloured transmission tunnel, as well as red seatbelts and Schroth racing harnesses.

The optional Clubsport package features a roll-cage, rear seat delete and Schroth racing harnesses for the lightweight Nomex-trimmed Recaro bucket seats. Factory-fitted equipment includes climate control, a radio/CD player, and lightweight bucket seats with Porsche crests embossed on their headrests.

The last service was carried out in October 2020 at 36,114 miles by marque specialist Fearnsport at Silverstone. The work comprised of an engine oil and oil filter change, along with an inspection and the replacement of the brake fluid. Prior to this, the car was serviced in October 2018 which was a major service including replacement of the clutch at 35,984 miles, and in October 2017 which was a major service which included replacement of the spark plugs.

Our vendor adds that the car has been serviced eight times during their over-11-year custody, and reports that the lambda probes, air mass meter, starter motor, and ignition coils have been replaced during ownership, and the air conditioning system has been refilled several times. It's accompanied by its original handbooks, stamped service booklet, a plethora of maintenance invoices and the original tool kit.

Coming to auction after being part of a small collection belonging to an avid Porsche enthusiast, this special car drives and performs as well as you’d expect, and it surely represents one of the best early GT3s available anywhere. In years to come these rare original cars, with their true Motorsport pedigree, will be the ones to own and with the greatest potential for retaining collectable status.