Lot 119 2004 Porsche 996.2 GT2 For Sale by Auction

This is lot number 119 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.

• Top-of-the line and rare Turbo-charged GT2 996 variant
• One of only 91 Porsche 996 GT2 Mk2’s built
• One of only 24 examples with the ‘Comfort’ pack without roll cage
• Six-speed manual gearbox, 483bhp Twin Turbo engine
• Full service history
• Only 50, 000 kilometres from new
• French registration document

Intended primarily for racing, though still road legal, the Porsche 911 GT2 can trace its ancestry all the way back through a succession of high-performance models to the legendary 911 Carrera RS of 1973. The car takes its name from the FIA’s GT2 category of production sports car racing, for which it was homologated, and has been produced in a variety of versions since its introduction in 1993 on the Type 993 iteration of the perennial 911.

The GT2 was based on the contemporary 911 Turbo, using essentially the same twin-turbocharged engine. In the GT2 the 3. 6-litre air-cooled flat-six engine produced around 414bhp initially, which was good enough for a top speed of 301km/ h. To make the GT2 fit for track use the brakes, suspension, and wheels were up-rated to cope with the substantial increase in performance, while aerodynamic downforce was enhanced by a larger front air dam and a rear spoiler. Of rear-wheel drive configuration, the GT2 was considerably lighter than the Turbo, many of the interior fittings having been deleted, and was the most expensive model in the 911 range. In its original Type 993 incarnation, the Porsche 911 GT2 was produced up to 1998.

A major step forward, the Type 996 successor version of the Porsche 911, introduced in 1997, really did justify its maker’s claims to be ‘all new’. With the 996’s introduction, Porsche finally adopted water cooling for the flat-six engine. The new, more compact, 24-valve engine displaced 3. 4 litres compared with the 993’s 3. 6 yet was more powerful, producing 300bhp (up from 285), which was good enough for a top speed of 280km/ h.

It was not until 2002 that a GT2 version of this new model became available, by which time Porsche’s motor sports programme had switched to the normally aspirated GT3. Thus the Type 996 GT2 was developed primarily as a road car, albeit one that retained its track-orientated predecessor’s characteristically aggressive-looking bodywork. Motive power was still provided by a 3. 6-litre twin-turbo engine, though now it was water-cooled. Maximum power was around 455bhp (later 476bhp), which was transmitted to the wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. In 2004 a revised 'Phase 2' version went on sale boasting changes to the turbochargers and ECU; maximum power went up to 483bhp and carbon ceramic brakes were standardised. Production of the Type 996 GT2 ceased in 2005. Only 91examples of the GT2 Mark2 were produced of which only 24 examples were ‘Comfort’ version examples, like the one offered here.

Delivered new by Porsche Zentrum Stuttgart on 19th January 2004, this exciting 2nd generation Porsche 996 GT2 was optionally fitted with a carbon gear knob and handbrake lever, a leather rear centre console, and the desirable three-spoke sports steering wheel. It is one of just 24 ‘Comfort’ examples built, an exceptional low figure for a Porsche production car indeed. Most GT2’s were delivered in the more hardcore ‘Clubsport’ version with roll cage etc. making this rare and more civilized ‘Comfort’ example all the more special and sought-after.
With 50, 000 km on the odometer, the car is accompanied by its service books, regularly stamped by Porsche or GTsport, Porsche specialists. The last major service invoice dates from January 2023 and was carried out at a Porsche dealership at 49, 400 kilometres. The car has been professionally resprayed and it should be noted that the carbon brake discs were replaced, in October 2022 at 49, 390 kilometres, due to corrosion of the disc mounting bolts - a known issue with this Porsche model. The front shock absorbers were replaced at the same time. The invoice for these works, available on file, totalled €10, 000.

One of the rarest Porsche production road-car examples, this 996. 2 GT2 comes with a French registration document; its original service book; invoices from 2019; and a detailed valuation report available on file, completed in April 2017 when the car had 43, 595 km on the odometer, commends it highly. Examples of this charming Porsche 996 GT2 ‘phase 2’ in such condition are extremely hard to find.