Price: SOLD
Mileage: 29,300 Miles
Engine: 3.6-Liter 375-Horsepower H6 Mezger 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Basalt Black Metallic Exterior
Interior: Black Leather Interior
Additional features:
XPEL Ultimate Front Bumper/Hood/Fenders/Mirrors/Headlights
1 of 1018 North American 996 GT3s
1 of 27 Basalt Black 996 GT3s
GT3-Tuned Suspension
PCCB Ceramic Composite Brakes
6-Piston Front Brake Calipers
4-Piston Rear Brake Calipers
3-Spoke “Thicker” Steering Wheel
Aluminum Instrument Dials
Carbon / Aluminum Shift Knob
Carbon / Aluminum e-Brake Handle
Speed Yellow Seatbelts
GT3 Door Sills (Metal Door Sill Model Insignia)
Porsche Crest in Headrests
Custom Tailoring
Xenon Headlights Package
Porsche CD Stereo System
Air Conditioning w/ Full Climate Control
Black Carpet Porsche Floor Mats
Alcantara Headliner
Fresh Engine Build by Chris Cervelli @ 28,375 Miles
Engine Build Included:
997 GT3 Case w/ Dual Oil Squirters
Water Pump
Rod Bearings
Main Bearings
Intermediate Shaft Bearings
Timing Chain
Pinned Coolant Lines
Fresh Fluids
18-Inch GT3 Wheels
Pirelli P Zero Rosso Tires
There has been no more controversial Porsche 911 than the 996. It was the first water-cooled 911, the first complete redesign—not evolution—of a lineage that arcs back to 1963. It was also the 911 that saved Porsche from near collapse. Traditionalists were appalled by its dramatic break in form, but time has been kind to the 996. By the late 996 years (996.2 in Porsche-speak) Stuttgart had rectified those offensive headlights with eggs that were fried, rather than runny, and upped the interior build quality. Then, in 2004 Porsche did something staggering; it offered the U.S. market the 996.2 911 GT3—a car that’s production was originally a necessity for Le Mans GT class homologation requirements. The 996.2 GT3 was powered by a 375-horsepower version of the iconic Mezger 3.6-liter racing engine (no IMS issues) paired with a GT3-specific transaxle, GT3 suspension, aerodynamics, and a focus on weight reduction. Richard Hammond called it, “A Porsche that offers less, so that it can give you so much more.” In many ways the 996.2 GT3 is the most GT3 of them all. It is the lightest, most visceral, and most unapologetic 911 GT3. The only driver aid available was anti-lock brakes, which means you’d better have some talent if you visit the limit. Pushing that Mezger engine to its 8,200 rpm redline over a race-tuned suspension in a rigid chassis with minimal sound deadening is brutally wonderful—a throwback the air-cooled era when hard work and bravery were required of the high-performance Porsche driver. The 996.2 GT3 may be the one Porsche where the 996 truly honors its predecessors and outshines its successors.
This 2004 Porsche 911 996 GT3 is 1 of just 27 finished in Basalt Black over the entire production run. In addition to the standard GT3 kit, this example features the thicker steering wheel, carbon fiber shift knob and e-brake handles, aluminum instrument dials, and speed yellow seat belts to match the carbon ceramic brakes—a $7800 option! It is a fantastic example of what the GT3 should be—raw, focused, and special. The COA shows an original MSRP of $113,135.00 ($150,567 in today’s money). It was originally delivered in New Jersey and passed thorough several owners before landing in California early in the last decade. It has been represented and sold by respected Porsche enthusiasts such as Auto Kennel in Costa Mesa, California and Patrick Motorsports in Phoenix Arizona. It came to Colorado via the latter earlier this year, when a Rocky Mountain Region Porsche Club of America (PCA) chair member purchased it adding it to a collection that includes a hot-rod 911SC and a Macan S. In May, he was on a drive with some other PCA regulars when a set of extremely unlikely circumstances conspired with some exceptionally bad luck. A cattle grate at the bottom of very steep hill had a rock lodged at just the right spot to make contact with the engine case as the suspension compressed. It was enough to cause a small oil leak, small enough that wasn’t noticed until the next day, after which it was immediately parked. The dry-sump oiling system prevented any oil starvation. We have a freeze frame of the rock from a dash camera. The original numbers-matching engine case is included in the sale.
We purchased the car from him and turned it over to renowned Porsche engine specialist Chris Cervelli of Cervelli Technical Service—one of the best GT3 and 911 Cup engine builders in the country. We sourced a 997 GT3 engine case, which features dual oil squirters (an excellent upgrade from the 996 GT3 case) from another local PCA member to replace the damaged case and had Cervelli rebuild the engine. In the process we also did the coolant hoses, welded coolant pipes, fresh rod bearings, main bearings, intermediate shaft bearings, a fresh timing chain and water pump, then filled everything with fresh fluids. The result is a 996 GT3 with effectively a factory upgraded motor and major preventative items like the coolant pipes addressed. Then, we deployed a heroic amount of self-control breaking the engine in (although, arguably, this was not required for this engine build). We even re-visited the offending cattle grate with the previous owner to search for the rock, which was long gone several months later. Nonetheless, it was redeeming for both of us, as we had come full circle and the 911 GT3 is better as a result. The title is clean, as is the Carfax at present, but we do expect the Carfax to report damage from the insurance claim at some point. Photographs of the cattle guard, the rock, and documentation of the engine rebuild are included in the records binder, as well as the original numbers matching engine case. As it sits, this is an excellent and rare example of a 996 911 GT3, one of the best Porsches for the money in the modern market. We’d like to find a new owner who will write the next chapter of its unique story.
The exterior condition of this GT3 is excellent; Basalt Black Metallic was an excellent choice to grace the 911’s classic lines. The Yellow calipers from the PCCB kit and the Speed Yellow seat belts subtly, but perfectly, complement the metallic black paint. The front bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps are all protected with XPEL Ultimate clear film, sparing it from the pitting and rock chips that the low-slung hoods on 911’s commonly experience. The film is in decent shape but has some nicks from driving at speed; however, that is from doing its job! The majority of the paint is original; the passenger door has been repainted and the roof has been re-cleared. The roof has some waviness near the edges where it was not taped off correctly, but it is livable and does not detract from the overall condition of the car. There are no dents or dings, or otherwise notable scratches. All trim is present, including the front lip spoiler, but it does have some areas of rash on the lower edges (this is designed to be replaced easily). The windshield was replaced earlier this year with OEM-grade glass. It does not have any cracks, but it does have one chip on the passenger side out of the driver’s field of vision and some pitting. The side and rear glass are in excellent shape. The headlight lenses are clear and crack-free and protected by XPEL. The marker and taillight lenses are in excellent shape. The 18” GT3 wheels are clean, with the only curb rash being a short section on the passenger rear wheel. The Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires have 2015F/2018R DOT dates with good tread remaining.
The interior condition is excellent. When you open the door, you are greeted with nothing but the smell of fine Porsche leather. The interior leather is soft and supple, with no rips, tears, or side bolster wear. The driver’s seat has moderate creasing on the bolsters and the passenger’s seat has minor creasing on the outer bolster. The backs of the seats also have some scuffing. The rubber door seals are soft and seal quietly. The carpet is clean and free of stains or tears; factory floor carpeted mats have protected it. It has never been smoked in and there are no odors. All interior functions, options, power accessories, and controls work correctly. The HVAC control has no blown out pixels. The front trunk carpet is clean. The “thicker” steering wheel option is a nice upgrade; it is clean with some minor nicks in the finish. The center console is in good shape. The headliner is perfect. The door cards are clean, although there is some scuffing behind the airbag on the driver’s side. There is a fire extinguisher mounted in front of the passenger seat. Two keys and all factory manuals are included with the sale.
This 911 GT3 has clearly been the recipient of impeccable stewardship; it has no mechanical issues. As detailed in the summary paragraph, it recently had its damaged factory engine case replaced with an upgraded 997 GT3 unit with a fresh water pump and bearings. The legendary Mezger engine fires on command, idles well, and pulls very strongly to redline. We kept the revs relatively low for the first thousand miles, and had a subsequent oil change performed by Cervelli. The power is plentiful, and the sound it makes at its 8000 RPM redline is glorious! The important thing about the Mezger engine is its proven reliability and strength both on and off the track. Dry sump oil delivery ensures that it never oil starves at the track. The clutch take-up is positive and precise and does not slip; the factory lightweight flywheel adds to the already fast-revving nature of the Mezger powerplant. The suspension is tight, and the steering is precise. The rear shocks are just starting to weep, but are serviceable to non-track use. The ride is stiff, but still comfortable on longer drives to and from the track. The mono-ball suspension mounts do make some noise over large bumps, as is typical of a 996 GT3. The carbon ceramic brakes are superb. We pay for and ensure it passes emissions in Colorado.
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