2002 Porsche 911(996) GT2 Clubsport

Based on the 993 generation of the 911 Turbo, the Porsche GT2 debuted in 1993 and was intended as a customer 'GT' racer replacing the outgoing 964 Carrera RSR. These 993 GT2s had a dramatic profile with wide composite wings and arches and a distinctive rear wing with air scoops in the struts. At its introduction, it had a twin-turbo 3.6-litre engine putting out 430 bhp which was later uprated to 450 bhp. The name was taken from the international 'GT2' class in which it was designed to compete. Just 57 road-going cars were built, however, the 993 GT2 proved particularly successful in motor sport and is still regarded with some reverence.

With the advent of the water-cooled 996 it was inevitable that a GT2 version would be on the cards fairly soon and in 2001, Weissach duly obliged. The new car was powered by the M96/70 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged, flat six producing 462bhp at 5,700rpm and 620Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm fed through a six-speed gearbox driving the rear wheels only. Body modifications improved the car's dynamics and, although similar wide wings and arches were used along with a more aggressive nose and a larger rear wing, the whole effect was more subtle than the slightly 'tacked on' look of the 993 GT2. Power was not the only objective and the car's weight was reduced by 200 pounds from the basic 911 Turbo which, when combined with stiffer springs and other suspension modifications, resulted in superb handling. In period, this was the fastest road car Porsche had ever produced.

Naturally, the expectation was that the GT2 would 'go racing' however this was never the factory's intention. The requirements of the bean counters to build the car in significantly higher volumes than its predecessor, and the fact that, at the time, the 3.6 litre, naturally aspirated Mezger engine was now the Porsche power plant with sporting pretensions, meant that the GT2 was always pointed at becoming a top of the range, intercontinental, 'supercar'.

However, to appease those who had been hoping for a new 'turn-key' racer, the Clubsport was introduced. The Clubsport package offered fire-retardant cloth lined Recaros, six-point race harnesses, a bolt-in rear roll cage (front section supplied separately), fire extinguisher, and a battery cut-off switch.

According to its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this 996 GT2 was completed on 04/12/2001 and first registered on 01/01/2002. It was optioned with the Clubsport Package (M003), Red seat belts, Top-tinted windscreen and a CDR-22 CD/Radio. Finished in Arctic Silver (X1X1) with a Black Clubsport interior it was dispatched to the supplying dealer, AFN in Guildford. Having recently been part of a collection of significant Porsches, the car has obviously been lightly used by its last few owners as the accompanying MOT Certificates indicate that it has covered less than 10,000 miles in the last eight years. The most recent of these was issued on 22/04/2017 at 39,073 miles with no advisories. The Service Records are complete with 10 stamps in the book from Porsche up until 2008 and marque specialists thereafter, the most recent being on 15/07/2016 at 37,512 miles. The owner's file contains a large number of invoices going back to 2009. These invoices total just over £28,000 and suggest that not a single penny has been spared looking after the health of this rare car. Far too many to detail here (please feel free to enquire at the Documents Desk) but the latest indicates that the limited-slip differential was removed, stripped and cleaned before being rebuilt with a 'Motorsport' diff pack at a cost of £2,000.

Also in the history file with the C of A, invoices, MOTs, V5Cs, and Service History are the Porsche GT2 Press Release and a couple of “Total 911” magazines with contemporary reports.

Only 66 996 GT2s were built for the UK market in 1992, and only 17 right-hand drive Clubsports were built during the whole of GT2 production (Series 1 and 2), so this is a very rare car. These cars have now achieved a 'cult' status with a growing following and one in this condition that has patently been well cared for would make a very astute purchase.