MCP MOTORSPORT TESTIMONIALS
FRESHLY IMPORTED 996 GT3 IS READY TO GO
Viewing this pristine 996 GT3 at MCP Motorsport at Sheringham on the north Norfolk coast turned out to be one of life's more bizarre experiences, writes Johnny Tipler, for the encounter took place in a blizzard. With snow blasting horizontally from Siberia, it wasn't just our teeth that were gritted as proprietor
Martin Pearse and I set out in the silver machine; with traction at a premium, luckily the road was too.
We know Martin Pearse quite well on 911 & Porsche World, but it was surely above and beyond the call of duty to drive £48 grand's worth of top-spec rarity-value Porsche in circumstances that would have caused even Scott of the Antarctic pause for thought. So let's just remind ourselves of how singular a beast we're dealing with.
The 996 GT3 was unveiled in 1999 at the Geneva Show. Directly derived from the Porsche Supercup 996 racing car, there was actually very little difference between the two apart from the wheels and the optional roll cage, and ironically the race version was slightly heavier because of the strengthened bodyshell and a heavier power-unit. This version of the 3.6-litre flat-six develops 360bhp - that's 40bhp more than the standard 996 - and is based on the GT1 race engine. The GT3 is a gem in Zuffenhausen's production history, emerging between the end of the 993 Turbo run and the start of 996 Turbo production, when there was an opportunity to construct 1,350 units of the GT3. Such was the demand that another 500 cars were built during 2000. The GT3 was equipped with race-spec suspension, a bi-plane rear wing and aerodynamically configured sills, and although fitted with 996 Turbo seats, most other trim concessions were omitted. Air conditioning and a stereo were optional, and there was a Club Sport version with a bolted-in roll-cage.
Given the limitations of our run along the A149 coast road, the GT3 inspired confidence, its water-cooled 3.6 purring mutedly as it swished with authority through the tyre tracks between snowy hedgerow and reed-bed. It burbled on the overrun through the confines of Cley village and growled on the point-and-squirt straights between Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea. Its performance was immediately redolent of the sort of 'go' provided by the 996 Turbo but experienced in a more minimalist environment, albeit the Comfort spec mode. There were no surprises for anyone versed in Porsche controls, so long as you're happy with a left-hooker. The steering felt beautifully balanced, the clutch wasn't heavy, the brakes were massively but unobtrusively efficient, the shift lever precise in location, and power delivery awesomely immediate. It's an easy car to drive, with no apparent vices, even when the weather's against you. In short, this is one totally magnificent machine.
Warming up in the Aga-land of his sea-view home, Pearse outlined the car's provenance. First registered in January 2000, this GT3 is a one owner car (although the original dealership is also registered as a keeper), sourced though his German contact of 10 years. 'It's done nearly 40,000kms, so it's due for a service, which we will give it before it goes out.' Pearse is asking £47,995, and for that you get an immaculate car. As he says, 'It's perfect.'
It's still wearing its German plates, as Pearse leaves it up to the customer whether they want to register it themselves or get him to do it for them. If he registers it, then obviously there's another name on the log-book. However, as he points out, the procedure's straightforward enough. 'It's got its MoT, it's got its type approval and its commission notice letter which you have to apply to Porsche for. Unfortunately they take ages to supply that, and it's the only delaying factor in the registration process.
Then you apply to the VGA with your £60 postal order, and that comes back by return, and then you take it to your local DVLA office and a couple of days later they tell you what your age-related registration number will be.' The break point in a car's life is ten years old; as I found when I brought my 14-year old 964 C2 from Germany, I didn't have to obtain a commission letter from the manufacturer, but anything newer than ten years requires it. But no problems on that score; Martin Pearse takes care of it.
No worries on the thrash count either. 'It's never been track-day'd,' he asserts. 'I don't touch cars that have been used for track days; there are plenty about that haven't. I know there's the GT3 Titanic club which is full of enthusiasts, but I can't fathom why people want to do that in an £80,000 car when they can do it in a 944 Turbo costing a tenth of that and not have to worry too much if it gets dented.'
There's another ace up this particular model's sleeve. The beauty of the GT3 is that, five years on, it won't depreciate drastically,' he claimed. 'I don't think they'll ever drop below £35K. That'll be the bottom, and nice ones like this will always have a premium over high mileage cars.
Fact File
Model 996 GT3 Mk 1
Year 2000
Mileage 38.500kms (23.992 Miles)
Price £47.995
Background Recently imported by well known specialist
For Fully serviced, immaculate condition, low mileage
Against Rarity means spares and maintenance could be more problematic than standard 996
Verdict Superb specimen with known history and low depreciation
Where is it?
MCP Motorsport is at Sheringham, Norfolk.
Viewing by appointment only
Tel: 01263 822481
www.mcpmotorsport.com
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