Will the 996 GT3 pre-facelift ever be considered "special"?
Discussion
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The 996 and the Boxster was developed together all the way, it's not like the Boxster got the headlights first and they was thrown into the 996 afterwards.The Boxster was released before the 996 due to the success of the 993 (the 996 was supposed to be first until the 993 did so well), but that is not the same as saying that the headlights on the 996 came from the Boxster.
In the development, if there was something that was supposed to be shared between the two models but for some reason this could not be done, the 996 always took precedence over the Boxster.
gt3nor said:
The 996 and the Boxster was developed together all the way, it's not like the Boxster got the headlights first and they was thrown into the 996 afterwards.
The Boxster was released before the 996 due to the success of the 993 (the 996 was supposed to be first until the 993 did so well), but that is not the same as saying that the headlights on the 996 came from the Boxster.
In the development, if there was something that was supposed to be shared between the two models but for some reason this could not be done, the 996 always took precedence over the Boxster.
You seem to be saying that the 996 was purposely delayed due to the success of the 993?The Boxster was released before the 996 due to the success of the 993 (the 996 was supposed to be first until the 993 did so well), but that is not the same as saying that the headlights on the 996 came from the Boxster.
In the development, if there was something that was supposed to be shared between the two models but for some reason this could not be done, the 996 always took precedence over the Boxster.
Where did you get this information from?
MTR
As a driving tool, I think it should be regarded as a real classic as should all of the 996 GT3 derivitives. These were the first and most extreme versions of a breed of ultimate driving tools produced by Porsche and signalled a complete and extreme departure from the traditional RS values before them. Subsiquent versions were tamer, more rounded and accessible. Some would say for the better, some would say not. Either way, the MK1 was the first of the breed and as such I think it deserves to be regarded as a special car. Can't comment on the head lights. You don't see them from the drivers seat, they don't effect the way the chasis translates information to the driver and they don't help the engine produce any more power. To judge what is designed to be the ultimate driving machine by the shape of it's headlight cluster, is to me somewhat missing the point.
Steve Rance said:
As a driving tool, I think it should be regarded as a real classic as should all of the 996 GT3 derivitives. These were the first and most extreme versions of a breed of ultimate driving tools produced by Porsche and signalled a complete and extreme departure from the traditional RS values before them. Subsiquent versions were tamer, more rounded and accessible. Some would say for the better, some would say not. Either way, the MK1 was the first of the breed and as such I think it deserves to be regarded as a special car. Can't comment on the head lights. You don't see them from the drivers seat, they don't effect the way the chasis translates information to the driver and they don't help the engine produce any more power. To judge what is designed to be the ultimate driving machine by the shape of it's headlight cluster, is to me somewhat missing the point.
A good post and your'e dead on. I guess its just that most of us value looks more highly than we like to admit.There can be no doubt that the Mk1 is a very special car for some of the reasons you have outlined, and it will be considered as such increasingly in the future.
MTR
Personally, not sure the 996 mk1 GT3 will ever attain "special" status.
It's a car in a similar situation to the original 1986 BMW E30 M3 -- the early cars have always been overlooked in favour of the later, more sophisticated, faster E30 Evo's(esp. the Sport Evo)
The 996.1 is the (high) starting point in an incredible sequence of GT3s, each new variant raising the game. Don't get me wrong, the GT3 is an absolute (stonking) classic original, the best idea to come out of Porsche HQ for a long time, BUT it is objectively out-performed by it's newer more potent descendents.
How many mk1 GT3s give you the impression they have lived a hard life, or are now tired with a £35k engine rebuild waiting in the wings ? Also, the past 15 years has seen the rise of the UK/'ring track day scene. Out of the small 1999-2000 UK batch, many of the cars must've been exposed to hard use. Too few cars, too many track focussed enthusiast owners?
So, 996.1 GT3 - original, yes, modern classic, yes, special ? ...possibly, but not as special as later cars....
Hope some of this made sense ;-)
PS; love all GT3s :-)
It's a car in a similar situation to the original 1986 BMW E30 M3 -- the early cars have always been overlooked in favour of the later, more sophisticated, faster E30 Evo's(esp. the Sport Evo)
The 996.1 is the (high) starting point in an incredible sequence of GT3s, each new variant raising the game. Don't get me wrong, the GT3 is an absolute (stonking) classic original, the best idea to come out of Porsche HQ for a long time, BUT it is objectively out-performed by it's newer more potent descendents.
How many mk1 GT3s give you the impression they have lived a hard life, or are now tired with a £35k engine rebuild waiting in the wings ? Also, the past 15 years has seen the rise of the UK/'ring track day scene. Out of the small 1999-2000 UK batch, many of the cars must've been exposed to hard use. Too few cars, too many track focussed enthusiast owners?
So, 996.1 GT3 - original, yes, modern classic, yes, special ? ...possibly, but not as special as later cars....
Hope some of this made sense ;-)
PS; love all GT3s :-)
wfarrell said:
Personally, not sure the 2.7RS/964RS will ever attain "special" status.
The 2.7RS/964RS is the (high) starting point in an incredible sequence of RS/RSR, each new variant raising the game. Don't get me wrong, the 2.7RS/964RS is an absolute (stonking) classic original, the best idea to come out of Porsche HQ for a long time, BUT it is objectively out-performed by it's newer more potent descendents.
How many 2.7RS/964RS give (give? - f
k me, they have) you the impression they have lived a hard life, or are now tired with a £35k engine rebuild waiting in the wings ? Also, the past 35 years has seen the rise of the UK/'ring track day scene. Out of the small 1973/74 or 1991/2 (?)UK batch, many of the cars must've been exposed to hard use. Too few cars, too many track focussed enthusiast owners?
So, 2.7RS/964RS - original, yes, modern classic, yes, special ? ...possibly, but not as special as later cars....
Hope some of this made sense ;-)
I have taken the trouble to put your comments into a different context.The 2.7RS/964RS is the (high) starting point in an incredible sequence of RS/RSR, each new variant raising the game. Don't get me wrong, the 2.7RS/964RS is an absolute (stonking) classic original, the best idea to come out of Porsche HQ for a long time, BUT it is objectively out-performed by it's newer more potent descendents.
How many 2.7RS/964RS give (give? - f
k me, they have) you the impression they have lived a hard life, or are now tired with a £35k engine rebuild waiting in the wings ? Also, the past 35 years has seen the rise of the UK/'ring track day scene. Out of the small 1973/74 or 1991/2 (?)UK batch, many of the cars must've been exposed to hard use. Too few cars, too many track focussed enthusiast owners?So, 2.7RS/964RS - original, yes, modern classic, yes, special ? ...possibly, but not as special as later cars....
Hope some of this made sense ;-)
Edited by rlw on Sunday 22 April 18:17
Gary Bullen said:
GT3 mark 1. Total number of GT3`s officially imported into the UK 106 (28 of these being Clubsports). Total number of GT3`s worldwide 1,858 of which 308 were right hand drive. About 30% of all of the cars were Clubsport specification. The car was exported worldwide with the exception being North America. http://www.titanic.co.uk/GT3/GT32e.htm
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