IT CAME, IT SOARED, IT CONQUERED

A 2006-2011 911 GT3 or GT3 RS starts at £90,000. Oliver Young says it’s priceless

- Oliver Young

Just when you get used to each succeeding generation of 911 and can’t see how such a thing can be improved on or stir the senses more, Porsche seems to answer the question with its own GT3 variants.

The GT3 nameplate was first introduced on a race-focused variant of the ‘996’ 911 road car in 1999. Now, make no mistake, the true purpose of the GT3 has always been to provide a platform for Porsche’s lucrative Clubsport sporting activities, but by gum, it’s also as a corollary produced some superb road cars. Take this 997 version.

On its arrival in 2006, the GT3 made itself clear as a weapon of choice for driving purists: those of us who live and breathe naturally aspirated engines, manual gearboxes and engaging handling. Early cars feature a 3.6-litre flat six producing 409bhp and that’s enough for 0-60mph to be dispatched in 4.3sec. A slick, six-speed manual gearbox was the cherry on top.