Introduction – from Autocar – 25th November 2020 – by Andrew Frankel
Which is the best of the Porsche 911 GT3’s ?
It’s not a question I need to be asked often, because you’d be certainly surprised and quite possibly appalled to learn how often I ask it myself.
It’s not that I’m unsure. On the contrary, I’ve been so sure for so long I’m hoping that one day the internal monologue might reach a different conclusion. And yes, that’s just like watching Titanic over and over hoping for the time the ship doesn’t sink.
But there you have it. The answer is the second generation of the 997 era of GT3 RS. A 2010 car. It’s the last GT3 based on the original water-cooled design, and before Porsche altered the character of the car by extending its wheelbase and adopting electric steering.
Not that the gen-2 997 GT3 RS is quicker, grippier or in many measurable ways better than those that came before or after. It just hit the sweet spot. On one hand, it has that howling yet unbustable Mezger flat six, in 4.0-litre form the best engine fitted to a street 911 and still monumental as a 3.8. It had exquisite balance, a magical gearbox and, above all, an ability to connect the driver to the road that has yet to be beaten by any descendant.
On the other, it remains usable. This is not ‘just’ a GT3, but an RS, yet it rides well enough and, while wonderfully sonorous, is not so boisterous that you couldn’t use it all the time. The key to a 911 is not just how good it is to drive, but how often it makes you want to drive it. And that RS remains king.
Description
An exceptionally well presented 2nd Generation 911 (997) GT3 RS finished in Carrara White with Red Graphics, in fact – its about as close to a new one as I’ve seen since they were actually new !
Its paintwork is completely original and given its low mileage, is virtually completely free of stone chips – and of course presents with a clear rev range report.
This generation of GT3 RS, as noted by Andrew Frankel of Autocar really was a high point not only in GT3 production but 911 as a whole, not since has there been a 911 that hits that ‘sweet spot’ between looks, use, driving involvement, noise and its ability to make the driver and the admirer smile – and perhaps there never will be now as things are changing fast.
Around 100 Gen 2 GT3 RS’s were delivered to the UK market making them a rare find in this condition now they are well over 10 years old.
Surely a future classic if it isn’t one already ?
Specification
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)
Sport Chrono Package
Windscreen with Grey Top Tint
Cupholders
Roll Cage in Black
Driver and Passenger Harness
Floor Mats
Service History
Intermediate Maintenance by Porsche Centre Exeter on 30 August 2012 @ 700 Miles
MOT 22 August 2013 @ 1,261 Miles
MOT 11 September 2014 @ 1,360 Miles
MOT 22 September 2017 @ 1,430 Miles
Major Maintenance by SCS Porsche on 22 September 2017 @ 1,431 Miles
Major Maintenance by Porsche Centre Exeter on 8 April 2019 @ 1,498 Miles
MOT 29 April 2019 @ 1,514 Miles
MOT 7 June 2021 @ 1,519 Miles
Major Maintenance by Porsche Centre Cambridge on 15 June 2021 @ 1,524 Miles
MOT 31 May 2022 @ 1,537 Miles
MOT 9 May 2023 @ 1,537 Miles
Intermediate Maintenance by RPM Technik on 12 June 2023 @ 1,543 Miles
2 Owners
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