The Porsche 911 (996) GT3 was the spiritual successor to the original '73 Carrera RS and was designed to be lightweight and performance focussed with scant regard to luxury and comfort items that would add to the car's weight but detract from its performance. With the advent of the water-cooled 996, Porsche needed to find a way to continue the lineage of its motorsport-focused 964 and 993 RS models. The answer was the Mk1 GT3. Built by hand away from the main 996 production line, the GT3 enabled the homologation necessary for Porsche to provide cars for a wide range of GT racing series (including Le Mans) as well as a one-make Carrera Cup series.

The significant difference between the mainstream 996 range and the GT3 was the dry-sumped Mezger engine, which used a completely different block from the rest of the range (being the same as that in the GT1). Thanks to its titanium and plasma-nitrided internals, it generated 100bhp per litre from its high-revving, high-compression, normally aspirated 3,600cc six-cylinder boxer engine. Performance was very impressive with 0-60 mph coming up in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. The Mk1 GT3 was also Evo magazine's Car of the Year in 1999, "seeing off, amongst others, the new Ferrari 360 Modena." Only 1,863 GT3s were manufactured worldwide by Porsche Motorsport Division and this example is one of the first generation cars featuring the legendary Mezger engine.

This left-hand drive, comfort specification, 996 GT3 was sold new on 3rd May 2001 by Porsche, Stuttgart to a German collector. It was later sold to a Swiss gentleman and used sparingly for many years until purchased by the current owner. In those years, the car has been preserved in fantastic condition. The mileage is currently reading just 11,606 kilometres or 7,211 miles. Factory specifications included carbon centre console, carbon instrument surrounds, electrical sports seats, air conditioning, Becker CD Radio and leather dash and door panels.

As one would expect from such a low mileage Porsche, the bodywork presents beautifully and panel fit and paintwork are commensurate with an unmodified, original car that has been cherished all of its life. The Silver metallic paint retains an excellent shine, the wheels are spotless and the comfort specification black interior is in superb condition. Due to its limited mileage, the service book doesn't show a vast number of stamps but there are 2 service stamps at reasonable mileage intervals and the car has recently had a major service and re-commission carried out by Porsche Hatfield at 11,083 miles.

Supplied with its original books, tools, current MoT, UK V5C and recent invoice from Porsche Hatfield, this car must be seen to be fully appreciated. We have never seen such a low-mileage GT3 go through our rostrum and they are certainly not easy to find in this condition. The 996 GT3 Mk1 has been praised as: "A true hero, differentiating itself from even future models of the same name thanks to being the last built by the Porsche Motorsport Division. It offers 'a race car for the road' experience in a thoroughly rounded, good-looking, package."

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