2003 Porsche 911 (996.2) GT3

Intended primarily for competition although still fully road-legal, the Porsche 911 GT3 can trace its ancestry all the way back through a succession of high performance models to the legendary 911 Carrera RS of 1973. The car takes its name from the FIA's GT3 category of production sports car racing and has been produced in a variety of versions since its introduction in 1999 when the GT3 badges were applied to the Type 996 iteration of the perennial 911.

The 3.6-litre flat-six engine departed from mainstream Type 996 practice by virtue of its water-cooled cylinders, leaving only the heads cooled by air. Called the 'Metzger' engine after its designer, Hans Metzger, this unit was closely related to that of the Porsche 962 'Sports Prototypes' and the 911 GT1 racer. In the GT3, it produced 360bhp, 60 more than in the standard 996, which was delivered to the wheels through a strengthened gearbox boasting interchangeable ratios. 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. In its original Type 996 incarnation, as seen here, the 911 GT3 was produced up to 2006.

Offered here is a very well prepared example of the second generation of the 996 GT3 (996.2) making it a very capable and quick rally car. It's fitted with a 996 GT3 Cup engine that was rebuilt in 2021 by renowned Porsche specialists, TECH-9 Motorsport, with limited use since. The engine is standard 'Cup' specification and of course the famous Mezger air-cooled 3.6-litre with an unstressed 400bhp courtesy of DTA ECU engine management with a digital dash logging system. Power is transmitted through a Holinger 5-speed sequential-shift gearbox alongside a hydraulic handbrake. Naturally the damping is the best with Proflex remote-reservoir shock absorbers that have matched springs and valving for perfect tarmac control.

Originally delivered new in March 2003 with option code M002 (standard road GT3) to the Italian market and later spent time in Belgium before coming to the UK in February 2017 where it has been enjoyed by our rallying vendor on numerous occasions. It certainly has been very well prepared and looks great in Porsche Martini livery offering a lot of reliable performance at a very sensible guide. It's supplied with an MSA logbook, numerous invoices and sundry paperwork and with earlier Porsches featuring strongly in historic rallying, this GT3 is certainly worth a look.