Porsche 996 GT3

The vehicle in detail

Porsche has always been a brand that puts an emphasis on building cars for drivers. From the 356 Carrera GT to the 964 RS, the experience behind the wheel is always at the forefront. In the modern, liquid-cooled Porsche world, there is no name more closely associated with driver enjoyment than GT3, and the genesis of that name comes from the 996. Originally built as a homologation car, the GT3 followed the formula of many of Porsche’s great driver’s cars, stripping out any unnecessary convenience features from the interior, adding a race-derived engine and a rigid spotting suspension. In 2004, Porsche updated the GT3, which then became known as the 996 MKII. The car was significantly modified from the first generation, now starting with a Carrera 4 body shell, the GT3 received an all new front fascia and rear aero package and the Mezger Flat-6 power was tweaked to increase power by 20 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque that was now available much lower in the rev range. 

This 2004 GT3 is finished in Arctic Silver and features a number of interior options from Porsche’s Exclusive department. Perfectly set up for a real driving enthusiast, this car shows 38,000 km and was the recipient of a major servicing in March of 2022. The second generation GT3 is instantly identifiable by its large, upright rear wing, the removal of the much maligned “fried egg” headlights and distinctive 18” wheels. At some point in the past, this car did receive a bit of paintwork but a 111 point inspection carried out by Porsche indicates no signs of structural damage.

The interior is finished in black leather and has been optioned with factory race bucket seats. Behind the seats is the Clubsport roll cage, installed by Porsche with 4-point Schroth Racing harnesses as well as standard 3-point belts for driving around town. One of the things that makes this car so unique is that the original owner specified the interior with Maritime Blue stitching on the steering wheel, door cards, seats, dashboard and shifter- all ordered through the Porsche Exclusive program. Additionally, a GT3 logo embossed on the armrest was another Exclusive option. 

Powering the GT3 is a 3.6-liter Mezger flat-6 which is a particularly special engine in the Porsche world- derived from the brand’s 1998 LeMans winning GT1 engine, it has become renowned for its durability. In this application, the motor produces 381 horsepower and offers razor sharp throttle response and produces nearly 80% of peak torque from just 2,000 rpm. This engine is then connected to a notchy feeling 6-speed manual transmission and is slowed down by massive 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rears. All of this was enough for racing legend and Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl to run a MKII GT3 around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 56 seconds. 

Included with the sale of this GT3  is the factory tool kit, service book with comprehensive service stamps and the original manual. This GT3 is an attractive and well-maintained example of the acclaimed lightweight track-focused sports car, offered with relatively low mileage and fresh from a recent major service.