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What's your favorite car? I've been asked many times and given many different answers, but the Porsche 911 GT1 '98 has a special place in my heart. I loved cars and knew of endurance racing before Le Mans in 1998, but that grid totally pulled me in to the sport and Porsche managed to pull off the underdog win with a car that, to my mind, looked perfect. At 10 years of age, that car became my poster car.
Fast forward 20 years, and I still loved cars but didn't own a fun one. I really wanted a sports car, but which one? I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. 986, 996, E46 M3 and C5 Z06 were all considered, plus anything that caught my eye. In hindsight, maybe it's not surprising that I ended up with a 996. The car I picked is a 1999 with a few modifications that seem to be well chosen and an LN IMS bearing already installed. In particular, the car has an aftermarket intake and exhaust that sound amazing together. I doubt I would've ever bought bolt-ons like that, but I'm so glad the car came with them.
So far I've put a little over 2,500 miles on it, most of which happened within the first two weeks. My initial feeling is that this is love at first sight. I have yet to take it to an autocross or on track and I fear severe understeer coming out of slow speed turns, but the way the car drives on the street is very special. The more time I spend with all that weight in the back, the more I like it.
I'm going to be experimenting with seating options as I don't have enough headroom with a helmet on. I don't know if I'll run a fixed back seat daily, but I'm definitely contemplating that. I bought an Ultrashield Rally Sport seat and it will definitely be experimented with at the very least.
My other thoughts seem to be breaks from the Porsche herd. I'm a big believer in the Church of Sidewall, so I picked up a set of 17" Cayman wheels and intend to get some fresh tires on them. It is unbelievably difficult to find aftermarket 17" wheels so they're narrower than I would prefer, but we'll get there one day. I'm also thinking about finding a torsen for it. The Porsche community seems to gravitate toward clutch type differentials, but I feel like a torque biasing differential, would really suit the car on the road and in competition.
I have tracked my 99 twice at Road Atlanta which is a fast track with fast turns. I can keep up with may cars through the turns. Understeer was not an issue even when running stock 17s with 205s on the front during one of the track days. On the back straight, the Ferrari's and new GT3s would blow by me.
Great title, great story and a beautiful car! Most of us know exactly how you feel: I for one had the same life long dream come true last year about this time. I feel special anytime I drive it, enjoy!
Congrats and great story....for me, that is what true car guys(or gals) is all about....its the connection from when you were a kid...that is how it was for me. I love your connection to the GT1 and how much you loved the car. To me its that look with the GT1 lights that connects me the 996 headlights. Enjoy the car....and all of the pleasures that come with making it your own.
so the fenders, bumper, and headlights were upgraded?
I remember I went to the L.A. car show when I was 14 years old and picked up a poster of a zenith blue c2. It hung on my wall for the longest time and now I own one. Wish I could find that same poster, but haven't been able to find one anywhere.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. The car is 'missing' the aero kit side skirts, but it'll probably stay that way. This isn't a GT3 and I'm not really concerned about it looking like one. I also think it looks really good as is.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. The car is 'missing' the aero kit side skirts, but it'll probably stay that way. This isn't a GT3 and I'm not really concerned about it looking like one. I also think it looks really good as is.
09-26-2018, 12:15 PM
My 1999 C2 - Dreams Do Come True
