Porsche 996 GT3

The vehicle in detail

Today Porsche’s GT3 model has become the yardstick by which all other serious sports cars are judged.

Our thoughts

Like the 2.7 RS, 964 RS and 993 RS that came before it, the 996 GT3 was primarily designed to go motor racing. Successful from the outset, it would form the backbone of international GT racing for several years. Homologation requirements meant a limited series of road cars were built and demand for these far exceeded Porsche’s estimates.

This was because the GT3 was not simply a warmed-up version of the standard 996. Porsche raided the Motorsport Department’s back catalogue and used an evolution of the exotic 911 GT1 motor. These high-revving “Mezger” engines would become a defining characteristic of the next four generations of GT3.

Today Porsche’s GT3 model has become the yardstick by which all other serious sports cars are judged. With demand always seeming to outstrip supply, Porsche have produced them in ever greater numbers and the first generation cars remain the rarest.