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PORSCHE UNFILTERED

LOT #723 - THE 2003 911 GT2 (996) HEADED TO HOUSTON WITH NO RESERVE

The GT moniker is one reserved for Porsche’s most When production ended in 2005, Porsche had built
sought-after “go-faster” models – cars reared in just 1,287 examples of the 996 generation 911 GT2.
Stuttgart, engineered in Weissach and eager to further The car on offer, a 2003 model, is one of just three
blur the line between road car and race car. Raw and in the United States finished in Carrara White and
authentic, GT cars represent the finest in the Porsche one of only 10 produced worldwide. The stunning
911 catalog, and at the top of the ladder – or in this car rides on 18-inch Turbo-style wheels finished to
case the centerfold – resides the fabled 911 GT2. match the exterior and house yellow-painted brake
To borrow a bit of parlance from BMW, the GT2 is caliper denoting the carbon-ceramic braking power
Porsche’s “ultimate driving machine,” a hardcore ready to be unleashed. The body ripples with sinuous
racer born purely out of competitive necessity. In the muscle, as there are notable cosmetic differences from
1990s Porsche wanted to campaign the 911 in the GT2 the rest of the 996 model range. The larger rear wing,
racing class and, to be eligible, Porsche was forced front lip spoiler and deeper front bumper are purely
to offer a homologation special for the road based recognizable as inheritors of Porsche Motorsport DNA.
on their racing car. That car was the 993 generation The GT2 takes the Turbo’s 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged
911 GT2, a car that would spawn a dynasty of laser- “Mezger” engine and ramps up the power thanks to a
focused descendants – one of which is offered with No series of upgrades, including new larger turbochargers,
Reserve at the inaugural 2021 Barrett-Jackson Houston forged connecting rods and a dry-sump oiling system.
Auction.
The result is an output of 476hp and 472 ft/lbs of
When the 996 generation 911 GT2 debuted, it was a torque sent through rear wheels via a 6-speed manual
point of much contention in the Porsche community. transmission, allowing for a sprint to 60 mph in 3.9
Many looked at the 996 GT2 with ire, reckoning it to seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. Unnecessary
be little more than a two-wheel-drive 996 Turbo. It luxury accoutrements – like back seats – are dispensed
wasn’t. After all, the 996 GT2 was the first production with, helping keep the weight low and deliver an
car to feature carbon-ceramic disc brakes as standard, experience purely focused on the drive. GT2 is the
and it more than lived up to its familial GT pedigree. quintessence of power, lightness and acceleration in
The GT2 was far more primal than its sibling 911 road-going form.
Turbo’s much tamer demeanor. There’s no all-wheel The 996 GT2 is a legendary automobile, a sharp and
drive, no traction control and simply no other tech- focused track day tool that, despite its hardcore nature,
laden doodads to dilute the visceral driving experience manages to be docile enough for day-to-day use. At the
Porschephiles treasure so dearly. Make no mistake, this inaugural 2021 Barrett-Jackson Houston Auction, one
is a serious car for serious drivers. lucky bidder will experience that legend firsthand.

– Eric Becker
- - - For up-to-date information on this vehicle, visit Barrett-Jackson.com

THE CAR ON OFFER, A 2003 MODEL, IS ONE OF JUST THREE IN
THE UNITED STATES FINISHED IN CARRARA WHITE AND ONE OF
ONLY 10 PRODUCED WORLDWIDE.
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