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I think you guys are overestimating how much track cars go for. 996.1 GT3 is rare in North America indeed, but that particular car is not a clean street example, it is a track car that may be problematic to register here. 996.2 cup cars do not change hands for much more than that, and are significantly better track cars.
As for the authenticity of the car, considering the VIN #, no sunroof, correct brakes, original GT3 decklid (aerokit lid would have the fan on the right side), not to mention the correct lower revving engine of the MK1 car, I think it's pretty safe to assume it's legitimate.
Aerokit lid has the fan on the right? Not on my XAA car; it’s just to the left of the center latch. Maybe I’m misunderstanding you?
Sure, let me clarify. The GT3 intake is on the right side of the decklid, whereas the M96 cars have the intake on the left side of the decklid. The fan is moved to accommodate the factory intake. Perhaps I should say "further right"?
My point was that car has the correct brakes, no sunroof, correct decklid, so on and so forth. The not thing that threw me off was the rear seat belt receptacles are from a car that did come with backseats, so perhaps it was fully stripped and a few pieces added back.
I'll put my cards on the table. I had a deposit on the car, and had a PPI done. It is indeed a 996.1 GT3 Clubsport.
The car was owned and raced by a gentleman named Bill Lusk who was a real Porsche Enthusiast, having claimed to have owned and sold over 177 Porsche's during his lifetime. He got into racing in his 70's with a 996.2 GT3, and in 2009 purchased the 996.1 from a shop in Oklahoma that had imported it in 2005 for racing. Bill's last racing was done in 2016/2017 and he had made a video of one of his races.
The DME report came back with 672.5 engine hours and a somewhat expected 65,535 R1 over revs, but also a very concerning 12,342 R2 over revs with the last event being at 666.6 engine hours (~ 6 engine hours ago). The car is in rough shape cosmetically and mechanically as Ahmet noted, and would take a lot to put it back to stock form. It has also had some previous paintwork on the front bumper/hood, the shocks need to be rebuilt, trans could be refreshed, etc.
On the surface it seems like a fair deal, but the cost to refresh that engine would be half the purchase price, not to mention everything else that it needs to make it track-worthy again. I passed on the car but another dealer has likely already bought it as they were waiting on my decision. It may show up for sale again soon, keep your eyes peeled.
I was extremely excited by the opportunity to own it, but it didn't seem to make sense financially. Hopefully someone with deeper pockets than me will have it out racing again soon.
I love hearing about people getting into track events or racing (or really any cool hobby) at an advanced age. Good on you also for being in the market for a car of this nature. I kind of miss my GT3 from time to time. Good luck with the search and feel free to drop me a PM if you have any questions. I've owned many, ran a shop and wrenched on them for some time.
I'll put my cards on the table. I had a deposit on the car, and had a PPI done. It is indeed a 996.1 GT3 Clubsport.
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On the surface it seems like a fair deal, but the cost to refresh that engine would be half the purchase price, not to mention everything else that it needs to make it track-worthy again. I passed on the car but another dealer has likely already bought it as they were waiting on my decision. It may show up for sale again soon, keep your eyes peeled.
I was extremely excited by the opportunity to own it, but it didn't seem to make sense financially. Hopefully someone with deeper pockets than me will have it out racing again soon.
Shared this excitement first time I saw the ad and video.
But after seeing the amount of $$$ that went into the BaT 996.1 GT3 Clubsport that sold earlier, made me rethink the costs involved in getting this sorted (and still not being able to register it for street use) vs developing a 996.1 with a FSI built engine, custom suspension, etc.
I was also using that auction as a barometer. My plan was to use it on the track as is for a few years while I accumulated the parts, then when it was 25 years old restore it for street duty. Having to likely rebuild the motor, suspension, and trans immediately threw a wrench into the dream.
I still find it hard to believe they spent 60k on that white car considering it looked to be in near new condition cosmetically.
Check the engine serial number. It should have an AT in it.
Thank you for the tip. The care ended up being sold before I even had a chance to look at it. I'm going to look at another car that popped up locally next week.