Intended primarily for competition, although still fully road legal, the Porsche 911 GT3 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 GT3 category of production sports car racing and has been produced in a variety of versions since its introduction in 1999 when the GT3 badges were applied to the Type 996 iteration of the perennial 911.

The 3.6-litre flat-six engine, though, departed from mainstream Type 996 practice by virtue of its water-cooled cylinders, leaving only the heads cooled by air. Called the 'Metzger' engine after its designer, Hans Metzger, this unit was closely related to that of the Porsche 962 'Sports Prototypes' and the 911 GT1 racer. In the GT3 it produced 355 bhp, 59 horsepower more than in the standard 996, which was delivered to the wheels through a strengthened gearbox boasting interchangeable ratios. To make the GT3 fit for circuit use, the brakes, suspension, and wheels were uprated to cope with the substantial increase in performance, whilst aerodynamic downforce was enhanced by a larger front air dam and a distinctive rear spoiler. Weight reduction extended to the removal of the rear seats and most of the sound deadening, rear speakers, sunroof, and air conditioning, though the latter could be ordered as an option, as could a CD/radio. In its original Type 996 incarnation, as seen here, the 911 GT3 was produced up to 2006.

This lovely example was purchased by our vendor from a friend in 2004 and has remained as part of his private Collection until now. It's a C16, UK-supplied, right-hand drive car with the 6-speed manual gearbox and is finished in Zanzibar Red Pearl Effect over a standard GT3 black leather interior with Recaro seats. Whilst in our vendor's care, the car has been looked after by RW Autos of Southwark and in 2010 benefitted from a major service by Porsche Chiswick at a cost of £8,000. The indicated mileage at the time of photography was 34,838 and the Porsche remains in generally very good condition commensurate with the low mileage.

It's accompanied by its V5C, the current MOT and sundry service invoices. Used in the past for Continental touring including a trip to the Nürburgring, it has only been used lightly in recent years and is now ready for a new custodian to enjoy.

NB: The Cherished Registration illustrated, OCB 700, does not form part of the sale.