In similar fashion to the legendary „Carrera RS“ model line, Porsche unveiled a street version of the 996 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999. This car would serve as a homologation special for their upcoming GT3 R race car, to be enrolled at the Le Mans 24 hours in May 1999.
Porsche Motorsport, driven by a desire for exceptional on-track performance, spearheaded this „orignal GT3 project“. Unlike its 996 siblings produced in Zuffenhausen, this GT3 was lovingly hand-built at the Weissach facility. The „Weissach“ package option on modern GT3s isn’t just a coincidence – it’s a homage to this car’s roots.
The involvement of Porsche Motorsport led to the production of an incredible street car that seems unreal in today’s world of ever-growing safety and emission regulations:
- The M96.76 engine is a Mezger-designed flat-6, derived from the GT1 race car. It consisted of a modified air-cooled block, fitted with a set of 24-valves water-cooled heads, forged pistons, titanium conrods, a lightweight crankshaft and the latest VarioCam technology. With an 11.7:1 compression ratio, it developed 360hp and although the engine was designed to run at 9000rpm, it was fitted with a soft-limiter of 7800rpm for street applications.
- The G96/90 gearbox is derived from the 993 GT2, with improved synchronisers, stronger casing and smoother cable linkage.
- The Aerodynamics were improved via modified bumpers, side skirts, underbody cladding and a dual plane rear spoiler.
- The Clubsport Package, as fitted on this special GT3, included a full roll-cage, no side airbags, fire-retardant Nomex Recaro seats, 6-point harnesses (still in their original box), a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell, electrical cut-off switches and a single-mass lightweight flywheel.
This GT3 only had two previous owners in Germany, and was never used on a race track, unlike many GT3 clubsports. In fact, it still wears its rare and original L12H Speed Yellow paint (front hood repainted once for stone chips). It is believed that less than 10 996.1 GT3 Clubsport were ever delivered in Speed Yellow, although no precise production numbers are available. It comes with all original documents, a fully stamped service book, as well as numerous service invoices.
This car being a 2001 Model Year, it is fitted with all the desirable late-production upgrades: gearbox with reinforced steel synchronisers, alcantara headliner, electric mirrors and improved fluid lines between the engine and front radiators.
Decoding the option sticker reveals the following information:
- L12H – Speed Yellow
- 81 – Nomex fire-retardant Recaro seats
- C00 – Version for Germany
- XSJ – 6-point racing harness
- XSM – Racing roll-cage
- XAA – Aerokit Cup
- XRL – Sport-Design Wheels 18″
- XSE – Racing bucket seat left
- XSF – Racing bucket seat right
- 003 – Clubsport equipment
- 441 – Radio preparation
- 567 – Top-tinted windscreen
- 571 – Activated charcoal filter
- 573 – Automatic air conditioning
- 695 – CD-radio Becker Porsche CDR-22
- 990 – Cloth seats (GT models)
- 09991 – Porsche Exclusive Production Code
- 10001 – Porsche Exclusive Production Code
A fun fact for your next cars & coffee? This 996.1 GT3 is still wearing a 964 part number on its engine case. Porsche switched to a 996 part number later on for the higher-scale production of the 996.2 GT3. This is a statement to the air-cooled heritage of this special Porsche.
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