Collectors\' Motor Cars and Automobilia

MOTOR CARS | 209

The 3.-litre Åat-six engine, though, 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 92 sports
prototypes and the 911 GT1 racer. 0n the GT3 it produced 355bhp, 59
horsepower more than in the standard Type 996, which was delivered
to the road via a strengthened gearbox boasting interchangeable ratios.
To make the GT3 fit for track use, the brakes, suspension, and wheels
were up-rated to cope with the substantial increase in performance, while
aerodynamic downforce was enhanced by a larger front air dam and a
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 CDradio.
There was also a ‘Clubsport’ package, comprising racing-type bucket
seats, bolt-in half roll cage, six-point driver’s harness, fire extinguisher,
and a single-mass Åywheel. 0n its original Type 99 incarnation, as seen
here, the Porsche 911 GT3 was produced up to 200.

This limited edition Porsche supercar was purchased by the current

vendor in May 2008, at which time it had a total of 20,015 miles showing

on the odometer, and has seen relatively little use, the total increasing

by only some 2,700 miles over the course of the next eight years. The

car comes with full service history from new, there being eight services

recorded, some with Porsche main agents and others with independent

specialists. The last service was carried out in February 2016 at 22,737

miles, the current recorded mileage.

Finished in silver with black leather interior, the car is presented in

generally excellent condition, just as one would expect given the low

mileage. Accompanying documentation consists of a V5C Registration

Certificate, MoT to May 2017, and the aforementioned service history.

ºSince its launch in 1999, the Porsche 911 GT3 has been the benchmark

against which every other track-focused car has been rated,’ declared

Auto Express. ‘There are more powerful, more expensive 911s, but the

GT3 represents the sports car at its purest and most intense. 0n fact, all

four generations of GT3 arguably rank alongside 1973’s legendary 2.7 RS

in the annals of greatest 911s.’

£55,000 - 75,000

€63,000 - 87,000