1998 Porsche 911 Outlaw

Highlights

• Unique ‘Outlaw’ style sure to turn heads
• Motorsport-themed but still has some creature comforts
• Numerous mechanical upgrades
• Stacks of invoices demonstrating the work done
• Those lightweight bucket seats look amazing

This car will come with a fresh 12 month MOT and new windscreen

Overview

Fancy yourself as a bit of a maverick – a bit outside the law? Then feast your eyes on this. It could just be your perfect motor. As you can see it’s a Porsche 996 but it’s described as a 996 Outlaw. And when it comes to outlaws, the 996 was one of those from the start. After all, until the 996 arrived, being air-cooled was the law for 911s, and the 996 just wasn’t. Still, that’s all in the past. In the last few years 996s have gone from being the ‘cheap’ 911 to rather sought after. That’s why you may’ve noticed prices climbing steadily recently. 

And with good reason, too. Tiff Needell, when asked what was the best 911, replied the 996. Because, said Tiff, it was the first one that was actually good to drive. We’re not quite in that camp – the air-cooled cars have oodles of charm and appeal – but there’s no doubt the 996 moved things on considerably when it arrived in 1997. 

This was the first genuinely all-new 911 since the original. That included the platform and, of course, the water-cooled engine. But it was still a flat-six and naturally aspirated, so it revved hard and made all the right noises. It had more power than the equivalent 993, too, and because it was also lighter it was quicker. And then there’s the handling, which, let’s just say, was far more measured – as in, less likely to have you facing backwards halfway around a bend. 

The 996 was a more civilised experience in other ways. It had a much more ergonomic dashboard, with more creature comforts and more room. It all added up to a car that was easier to live with, without being less fun. 

This one’s theme is described by the vendor as an ‘Outlaw’ or ‘Clubsport’ car. What makes an 911 Outlaw? Well, it’s all very subjective, but arguably something that doesn’t chase originality and, instead, opts for creativity and motorsport inspiration in an attempt to answer this question: what if? Here the idea was to build a useable car. Not something to be precious about but a car to get out there and drive, have adventures in and create memories.

As you can see, elements are stripped out to give it the clubsport theme – no rear seats, no centre console and lightweight door cards. And what’s added shouts motorsport, with a genuine Porsche roll cage, lightweight Porsche-crested bucket seats with five-point TRS harnesses and a fire extinguisher. But, and it’s an important ‘but’, the climate control remains and it’s fitted with a Becker Grand Prix head unit to help the miles roll by easily. Even the Dansk stainless steel sports exhaust is said to sound ‘raspy’ but ‘quiet’ while cruising.

The exterior is a mix of original and cutomised. The metallic blue paintwork is described as original and in ‘decent’ condition, but the GT3 nose and ducktail rear spoiler clearly aren’t factory. Nor are the handsome-looking BBS LM split-rim wheels with gold centres and polished rims.

History and documentation

• First registered 28 Feb 1998 (declared new at first registration)
• Porsche owner’s wallet containing original 996 owner’s manual
• Comprehensive records of service work, including 12 stamps in the service book from a mix of Porsche main dealer and independent service agents.
• Additional large collection of invoices for maintenance and parts installed and old MOT certificates
• MOT currently expired – ran out February 2024
• HPI clear
• x1 key
• Please note that the German registration plates (GT AL 681) fitted are for show only. The car is currently on a private registration plate NFO 10, which is not being sold with the car

Interior

• Genuine Porsche roll cage
• Lightweight Porsche-crested bucket seats with five-point TRS harnesses
• Lightweight door cards
• Lower centre-console delete
• Rear-seats delete
• OMP fire extinguisher in passenger footwell
• Gear lever featuring suede and carbon-effect detailing
• Carbon-effect console between the seats
• Original Porsche footwell mats
• Becker Grand Prix head unit

Exterior

• The bodywork is presented in eye-catching metallic blue over a silver nose and engine lid, with contrasting red calipers. It comes with a selection of fitting stickers, including the Le Mans Classic roundel stickers on the doors, celebrating a trip to the event in 2023, and Tag Heuer
• Porsche shields on the front wings
• The bodywork is described as ‘decent overall’ and looks to be straight in the photographs. There’s some evidence of stone chipping to the bonnet and front wings, and a section of missing paint on the nose cone. It should be noted that there is some light bubbling around the rear arches
• Annoyingly, a stone hit the windscreen during a recent trip to Europe and cracked the glass, which is sods law
• Alterations to the exterior include that genuine GT3 nose section (featuring the three vents just below the bonnet), the engine cover with that iconic 2.7 Carrera RS-style ducktail, and the low-drag door mirrors. Oh yes, and those yellow headlamp covers aren’t factory, either.
• The vendor believes that the rest of the panels and the paintwork are original
• The car comes with a set of BBS LM replica 18-inch split-rim wheels, with fancy gold centres and polished rims. There’s even a set of Porsche crest centre caps. The wheels look to be in good condition bar some very light marks if you look carefully at the pictures, and are shod with a recent set of Toyo 888 track tyres
• In honour of ‘Outlaw’ and motorsport theme, the tow hooks are in position front and rear. The original painted covers for these are included with the car
• While it’s not A1, that’s not the intended look for this car. The light patina is keeping with the style this 996 has been created in – as a clubsport racer that has seen action. It’s certainly not a ‘garage queen’ that’s too pristine to use. Or indeed wrap if you fancy stamping your own style on it
• The underside is described as in good condition as well

Mechanical 

• This a 3.4-litre M96 naturally aspirated flat-six, rather than the later 3.6.
• That means it was rated at around 300bhp when new
• Drivetrain upgrades include a lightweight flywheel, Sachs clutch, K&N induction kit, and the oh-so-important IMS bearing was replaced 3,000 miles ago
• There’s a Dansk stainless steel exhaust with de-cat pipe – for extra aural drama, but it’s described as quiet at cruising speeds
• Suspension changes include KW three-way coilovers with fast road GT3 Spec setup, a GT3-spec anti-roll bar and ARB links, all set up with a GT3 alignment and ride height
• It comes with Porsche monobloc red calipers and cross-drilled Brembo discs front and rear with competition pads
• We’re told the car starts, runs and drives really well

Summary 

There are many 996s out there, but if you fancy something unique then this certainly fits the bill. There’s something rather endearing about the ‘Outlaw’ style, and the fact that it isn’t pristine is a part of that theme. As its creator said, it’s a car for ‘road trips and adventures’ and will almost certainly turn heads. 

Yes, it’s got a motorsport stripped-out feel but there are also enough creature comforts left to keep it useable, and mechanically it’s had plenty of sensible upgrades to sharpen it up, too. 

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