2001 Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Gen 1

The Porsche 911 (996) GT3 is the spiritual successor to the original '73 Carrera RS, and was designed to be lightweight and performance focussed with scant regard to luxury and comfort items that would add to the car's weight but detract from its performance. Consequentially the sound deadening was mostly removed as were the rear seats, rear loudspeakers, sunroof and air- conditioning although the latter became a, no-cost, option. The GT3 differed from its standard sibling in having an extra 60bhp (360), larger brakes, lowered and re-tuned suspension, lighter wheels and some aerodynamic tweaks.It's also the basis of the modern day 'Carrera Cup Car' which Porsche race worldwide in their own "one make' series, and was produced in sufficient numbers to comply with the FIA homologation requirements necessary for the 911 to compete in the GT3 Class in International Sportscar Racing.This Generation I, 996 GT3 was sold new on 12/12/2001 to its first owner in Switzerland, where it remained until 2015. Finished in Lapis Blue with a black interior and with 96,700kms (60,000mls) indicated, this Porsche car is in absolutely superb condition and has clearly been well looked after as suggested by its service records:

11/10/2002 - AMAG Porsche - 17023km 6/10/2003 - AMAG Porsche - 22974km 28/02/2005 - AMAG Porsche - 35066km 13/11/2007 - Race and sports car specialist Pluss Rolf - 46850km 13/11/2011 - Race and sports car specialist Pluss Rolf - 63680km 27/06/2012 - Roland Egli Porsche specialist - 68442km 07/06/2013 - Roland Egli Porsche specialist - 78226km 06/11/2014 - Roland Egli Porsche specialist - 86897km 15/10/2015 - Porsche Centre Salzburg - 94127km

Whilst in the UK, the car has been similarly well maintained with the fitting of new discs and pads all round, a complete clutch kit and four new, correctly rated tyres, just prior to our auction.

The rear cage and Recaro seats were fitted in Switzerland and the history file contains a very detailed specification of these and the work was carried out according to fairly strict Swiss MFK requirements.

As with most of the rarer 996s, prices for GT3 models have certainly been on the march in recent years and this superb example offers real value for money.