2001 Porsche 911 (996) GT3 - Gen I

The Porsche 911 (996) GT3 was the spiritual successor to the original '73 Carrera RS and was designed to be lightweight and performance focussed with scant regard to those luxury and comfort items that would add to the car's weight but detract from its performance. With the advent of the water-cooled 996, Porsche needed to find a way to continue the lineage of its motorsport-focused 964 and 993 RS models and the answer was the GT3. Built on the main 996 production line, and hand-finished at the Motorsport Division at Weissach, GT3s were produced in sufficient numbers to enable the 'Homologation' necessary for Porsche to provide cars for a wide range of GT racing worldwide (including Le Mans) as well as a one-make 'Carrera Cup' series.

The significant difference between the mainstream 996 range and the GT3 was the dry-sumped Mezger engine, which used a completely different block from the rest of the range (as that in the GT1). Thanks to its titanium and plasma-nitrided internals, it generated 100bhp per litre from its high-revving, high-compression, normally aspirated 3,600cc six-cylinder boxer engine. Performance was very impressive with 0-60 mph coming up in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. The Mk1 GT3 was also 'Evo' magazine's Car of the Year in 1999, "seeing off, amongst others, the new Ferrari 360 Modena." Only 1,863 GT3s were manufactured by Porsche Motorsport Division and this example is one of the first generation cars featuring the legendary Mezger engine.

This left-hand drive, road specification, 996 GT3 Generation1 was sold new in 2001 by Porsche MIZWA in Japan and used sparingly for many years until purchased by the current owner. In those years, the car has been preserved in fantastic condition. The mileage is currently reading just 30,000 kilometres (18,600 miles). Factory specifications include leather competition seats, air conditioning, Becker CD Radio, and leather dash and door panels.

As one would expect from such a low mileage Porsche, the bodywork presents beautifully and panel fit and paintwork are commensurate with an unmodified, original car that has been cherished all of its life. The Silver metallic paint retains an excellent shine, and the specification black interior is in superb condition.

The fully documented service history has eleven entries, all by Porsche, at the following mileages. 3,213km, 4,203 km, 4,626 km, 8,312 km, 11,423 km, 16,836 km, 19,532 km, 23,345 km, 23,051 km, 26,816 km, 30,500 km (Service and new rear tyres fitted by Porsche Portsmouth). The car has just been freshly serviced (3/10/16) and the diagnostics indicate clearly that it has never been over-revved.

Supplied with its original books, tools, current MoT valid until 12th of June 2017, UK V5C and a recent invoice from Porsche Portsmouth, this car must be seen to be fully appreciated. The 996 GT3 Gen1 has been praised as: "A true hero, differentiating itself from even future models of the same name thanks to being the last cars finished by hand at Porsche Motorsport Division. It offers 'a race car for the road' experience in a thoroughly rounded, good-looking, package."