This is one of only a handful of GT2s intelligently specified with the leather bucket seats and a factory-fitted stainless steel half roll cage (Option Code, XSL). Fortunately, thanks to this car not having the Clubsport package, the bucket seats stay trimmed in supple leather and there is no fire extinguisher compromising the passenger footwell; let’s call it Clubsport Business Class.
Specified in the timeless hue of Arktissilber Metallic (92U), this GT2 is muscular and purposeful on the road. It’s rare to see a continuation of the exterior colour into the interior across a number of painted trim pieces, but it results in a pleasant symmetry that brings to life what can often be a very monochromatic interior.
It also got the AC and Radio boxes checked, along with stainless steel door guards and the aforementioned interior trims in Arktissilber. The first owner also chose smart options like cruise control and the lower dash section with CD storage, often missing on GT2s but gives a much more complete interior aesthetic.
Behind the wider GT2-specific alloy wheels (0.5 inches at the front, 1.0 inch rear) sit PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes) discs. Interestingly it is worth noting that this was the first time Porsche fitted these as standard equipment to a road car. The PCCBs offset a modest weight gain from BBS not being able to manufacture the 12 inch wide wheels with the hollow spoke technology from the turbo.
Delivered new on the 10th May 2002 at Porsche Centre Exeter, it went on to cover over 32,000 miles in its first five years on the road. Invoices stretch back to 2006 and tell a reassuring story of consistent enthusiast stewardship across 10 owners.
The GT2 engine is an evolution of the race-proven unit that powered the 911 GT1s to a famous one-two at Le Mans in 1998, and you can tell. Driving a 996 GT2 today is a wonderful reminder of why these once under-appreciated cars are rapidly finding their feet in the collector car world.
On the road, the sound matures as the revs and boost build, it’s a properly exciting thing to pilot. The steering is wonderfully textured, bristling with feel, and that elastic, relentless shove from the Mezger flat-six is really quite startling until you become used to working with its character rather than being intimidated by the lack of driver aids.
The quality of the soundtrack on offer is unexpected; rich and bassy at low revs, yet touch the throttle and the engine barks crisply as the needle shoots around the tachometer (a perk of a GT2 specific lightweight dual-mass flywheel).
The model’s power-to-weight advantage over the turbo was considerable; 100kg less weight and 42bhp more power, resulting in a leap from 273bhp/ton to 325bhp/ton – you feel in every sense when on the road. Porsche achieved this by the removal of the turbo’s 4WD system, much of the sound deadening and upping turbo boost from 0.8 to 1.0 bar.
They also added larger intercoolers, forged con-rods and reconfigured the rear subframe to sit the engine 20mm lower than the 996 turbo. These numerous small changes are evident from the moment you set off.
In terms of suspension, the GT2 features bespoke geometry, but is fully adjustable; ride height, camber, track as well as five-stage (front) and four-stage (rear) anti-roll bars are all configurable. The factory ride height is a noticeable 20mm lower than the turbo and this car is currently set up with it’s anti-roll bars in the softest setting which makes is more useable on-road.
Chassis 695447 is an excellent example of a hugely special 911 and with only 1,287 examples produced globally, it is one of the rarest 911s produced by Stuttgart.
In terms of our domestic market, only 129 UK C16 RHD examples were produced and of those, 116 were the more desirable mk1 cars. The mk1 996 gt2 was 20kg lighter, benefitted from the earlier alloy wheel design and body coloured rear wing.
There is much speculation about how many of these cars remain accident-free and close inspection of the frunk compartment and engine bay show 695447 has straight chassis members and original welds in all the right places.
Complete with a known ownership story from new (documented on file), all its original books, the service pamphlet containing the Vehicle Identification sticker, the original tools and a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche GB, this is a superb example that would suit a driver / collector.
The paintwork is in great condition, as are the headlamps, which often fade and fog up on a 996. Inside, there is no damage and all fittings, trims and fabrics are in excellent condition.
GT2 911s from other generations are now trading at a level well beyond where the 996 are, suggesting acquiring one of these would be a smart move.
Viewing is available, by appointment in Battersea, Central London.
Please get in touch if you have any further questions.
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