2004 Porsche 996 GT3

Porsche launched the 911 Type 996 GT3 Gen 1 in 1998, updating both technology and design in 2003 with the release of the 996 GT3 Gen 2.

These were the very first GT3’s on the market for Porsche, they were built on a bespoke production line and proved to be so successful they spawned an entirely new generation of road-going-race-car still in production today.

With countless tangible benefits in terms of speed and outright grip, Gen 2 GT3’s are quickly becoming one of the most sought after modern 911’s due to their fabled bulletproof Mezger engine, small and racy proportions, low production numbers with just 71 cars ever arriving on Australian shores and 381hp, 21 more hp over the Gen 1.

Technological updates for the Gen 2 GT3 included GT3-specific brakes and wheels, wider tyres, an oil cooler, stronger synchro’s for the gearbox, and more aggressive suspension delivering an all-out bone tinglingly good drive on both road and track.

The 996 GT3 Gen 2 despatches the 0-100km/h sprint in an eye bulging 3.8 seconds and in comparison to its next 2 generations of kin is arguably a better driver’s car.

There was also a more driver focused Clubsport derivative that ran alongside the standard Touring specification and offered a single mass flywheel derived from the earlier 964 RS delivering a sharper throttle response, a bolt-in integrated roll cage, bucket seats, fire extinguisher and battery cut off switch.

Australian Delivered in January of 2005 by Porsche Centre Melbourne this peerless 996 GT3 Gen 2 was one of the last cars of its generation to arrive on our shores and was ordered in the more desirable Clubsport specification in uber sleek Basalt Black over Black Clubsport trim.

Exceptionally well maintained and totally original travelling just 27,000 kilometres the options list for this car includes cruise control, air-conditioning, Litronic headlights, Porsche CDR 23 Radio and seat belts in Guards Red with everything in refreshingly and unbelievably original condition.

The faultless metallic paintwork shows the classically styled 996 lines well, the panel fit and finish are to the precise factory standard and the overall road presence is as though it rolled out of the Porsche showroom yesterday.

The same goes for the cockpit, it’s easy to see how well this car has been maintained.

The factory matte finish still on the shift knob, hand-brake leaver and steering wheel is a tell-tale sign of low kilometres and an absence of nasty trim “preservers”, the small white insignia on all the original switchgear is crystal clear, the original carpets are still perfectly plush and the new car smell is still present.

This is without a doubt one of the most original 996 GT3’s we’ve ever seen in nothing short of time-warp condition, even the small front splitter is pristine.

The car benefits from a total Porsche service history and is accompanied by its original leather bound log books, both keys and Porsche service receipts.

This GT3 Clubsport feels light, alert and perfectly agile.

Its deep and raspy exhaust note is one of the most mesmerising Porsche soundtracks ever produced and as the GT3 realises a future of PDK, turbocharging and electronic driver assistance, this manual transmissioned, naturally aspirated 996 generation is poised to soar skyward in value and popularity.

These cars are so fast, so durable and so much fun to drive and this stunning example represents a rare and exciting opportunity to invest in and experience the raw, white knuckle inducing drive of an out-of-the-box 996 GT3.