One to Buy: 38,000km Rainforest Green Metallic 2001 Porsche 996.1 GT3
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With the introduction of Porsche’s new water-cooled 911 (the 996), the firm’s hot normally aspirated driver-focused line previously known as the Carrera RS assumed a new GT3 moniker instead.
To power the new car was a trick Hans Mezger-designed 3.6-litre Flat 6 derived from the Le Mans-winning 911 GT1. This was hooked up to a reinforced six-speed manual ‘box and dropped into a stiffened shell with uprated suspension.
A handsome new aero kit adorned the exterior and customers had to choose between the M002 Comfort or hardcore M003 Club Sport pack. However, options could be mixed and match to tailor the desired specification while almost infinite customisation was available through Porsche’s Exclusive department.
Manufactured for less than two years, during which 1868 were completed, the 911 GT3 did exactly what Porsche wanted by homologating arguably the most successful GT class racer of its era: the five-time Le Mans-winning, two-time FIA GT and two-time ALMS championship-winning GT3 R, RS and RSR.
Although it looks great in practically any colour, we think the first gen. GT3 works best in rarely seen dark green and set to go under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Zoute Concours d’Elegance sale in Belgium on October 10th is just such a car: chassis WP0ZZZ99Z1S690397.
Delivered via Porsche Zentrum Dortmund in Rainforest Green Metallic with Black upholstery, optional extras fitted include special order aluminium-look instrument faces, stainless steel door entry guards, air conditioning and a Becker CD radio.
A numbers matching three owner car, chassis ‘690397’ is heading to auction with a little over 38,000km on the odometer.
