Summer is winding down, kids are going back to school and enthusiasts are looking to cooler weather car events and Fall drives. One can soon picture the whistle of a turbo-charged engine echoing off the trees on a tight country road, leaving a rooster tail of auburn leaves behind. Today’s Good Find Friday car is an excellent candidate for such a drive: a 1996 Porsche 911 GT2. 

The first 911 GT2 was built to meet homologation requirements for GT2 class racing in 1995. As with all homologation specials, a minimum of 25 road-going versions were required in order to qualify. At the time, the road cars were badged the 911 GT and were built on the fourth-generation 911, or the 993 internal model designation.

This 993 GT2 is a 1996 model built in 1995 and apparently originally a German-market car. It was auctioned at Broad Arrow’s Air|Water Porsche event in late April, but did not meet reserve and is now on offer from the selling dealer.

Said to be one of 126 left-hand drive examples built in 1996 and one of only 20 painted in Grand Prix White, this race-bred 993 GT2 has only 18,424 miles on the odometer.

External features of the 993 GT2 included add-on fiberglass fender flares covering dramatically widened front and rear tracks. An aluminum hood and door skins, sound deadening removal, racing seats, thinner glass and more helped the car shed 300 pounds. Prodigious front and rear aerodynamic wings help plant the car at high speeds. The rear wing included unique openings to direct air to the intakes.

As this is our 5th post celebrating Porsche’s 50 Years of Turbo, today’s Good Find Friday car has to be turbocharged. Motivation is provided by a twin-turbo 3.6 liter flat six M64/60R engine putting out 424hp. This enabled the 993 GT2 to reach 60mph in 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 187mph.

The chassis of the 993 GT2 featured a race-ready adjustable suspension with solid bushings, variable stabilizers and adjustable anti-roll bars. Essentially, the entire car was stiffened for the rigors of racing. Braking was provided by 12.6 inch discs squeezed by four-piston aluminum calipers. All 993 GT2s were rear wheel drive, a requirement of the GT2 class that banned four-wheel drive.

The 993 GT2 rolled on three-piece magnesium wheels. The car on offer has polished rims with a gunmetal painted centers.

The interior of the GT2 reflected its race heritage with no rear seats, deleted sound deadening, no sunroof, lightweight bucket seats and simplified door panels with fabric door pulls. This particular GT2 was upgraded with air conditioning, power windows and a hardness to add a stereo.

According to the history file in the auction catalog, this 993 GT2 lived in Germany and then at some point made its way to Vancouver, Canada. It’s now located in Miami, Florida and includes its factory manuals and 911 GT2 owner’s supplement. 

Collectible cars from the 1990s seem to be on the rise, perhaps spurred by the popularity of Japanese imports from the period, but the trends appears to be applicable to the Porsche market as well. This 1996 993 GT2 represents entry into a very exclusive club of truly rare Porsche ownership and as a result, the price reflects this. 

This car was auctioned by Broad Arrow at its Porsche-specific auction called Air|Water, which coincided with this year’s Luftgekuhlt event. The catalog estimate was $1.7M to $2M, but bidding stalled out at just below the low estimate at $1.6M. The car is now listed by Zweck, its selling dealer, with the price available only on application.

The 993 GT2 was not available in the United States, but given its age is now eligible for importation. Whenever a market sees greater supply, prices typically adjust and as we’ve extensively covered, the market has softened. Because of the rarity of the 993 GT2, comparables are difficult to find and there have been a lot of no-sales in the market recently. That said, it would appear to me that this car would likely find a new owner for an offer around $1.65M. In my opinion, though, $1.5 or less would be a more appropriate ask.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!