d56tuye

84 Living the Legend – 911 owner reports
Ron Lang
Ashland, Oregon
@ronlangsport
Model 2.4S
Year 1972
Acquired 2018
Model 964 CARRERA 4
Year 1989
Acquired 2015
Model 964 CARRERA 2
REIMAGINED BY
SINGER
Year 1991
Acquired 2018
Model 964 C4 SAFARI
Year 1993
Acquired JUL 2018
Model 993 C4S
Year 1996
Acquired 2016
Model 993 TURBO
Year 1997
Acquired 2015
Model 997.2 GT3 RS
Year 2011
Acquired 2016
Model 991.2 CARRERA
4S
Year 2017
Acquired 2017
Model 9 9 1 . 2 T U R B O S
Year 2018
Acquired 2017
My fascination with
the 996.2 GT3 is
growing. We did not
get many of them
in North America;
between 2004 and
2005 just 675 cars
arrived on these shores. So it is a rare
occasion to see one on the road, but a
feast for the eyes and ears when one
rolls past.
Part of the intrigue is the shape.
Mostly those slim hips. It’s a narrow car,
no wide body to be found here. Perhaps
it is a more pure 911 than the GT3s
and RSs that followed? The way the
lower body lines are resolved is part of
the attraction. The shape of the rocker
covers that flow upward heading back
from the front wheels is nicely reprised
in the detail lines at the corners of the
front and rear bumper covers.
The front arches have an interesting
soft peak at the top. When viewed from
the front, the complex curves connote
power and speed. The three lower grill
openings at the front are beautifully
shaped, more organic curves than
straight lines as found on the 997 and
later generations.
Much to my surprise, the interior has
aged well. Whether with the standard
adjustable seats, or for me preferably
with the ‘elephant ear’ one piece carbon
bucket seats, it is a nice place to work
if carving canyon roads can be so
described. The steering wheel is a simple
three-spoke affair, with a relatively thin
rim. The triangular shape of the air bag
cover in the wheel is pretty, especially in
a version where contrast stitching has
been applied to the leather cover.
Dynamically, the 996.2 GT3 is a
largely analog experience, devoid of
much of the electronics in the later cars.
No traction or stability control, just ABS
and power-assisted steering. Yes, the
dampers are firmly set up for going fast
rather than providing maximum comfort.
It’s a GT3 so to be expected and enjoyed.
Those dynamics really provide an
involving experience for the driver. This
generation of GT3 requires and deserves
driver attention – this is no cruiser. That
said, I would enjoy touring with one of
these cars assuming sporting roads
are followed.
Pricing for nice low-mile examples
has held steady, around $75,000 USD
in America. Compared to the later
GT cars, this feels a relative bargain. I
don’t believe these cars are any more
expensive to maintain than their non-GT
siblings, though not having owned one
I can’t say for sure, but this is what I’m
told by those who own them now.
If you have the GT3 itch still
unfulfilled, I recommend a closer look at
the 996.2 generation, though a 996.1 in
fine fettle is deserving of one’s attention
too. As editor Lee and others have
discovered, these 996s can be a very
rewarding 911 ownership experience.
Do I currently lust for a 2004-2005
996 GT3? You bet I do!
Joe Williams
Weymouth, UK
@joewilliamsuk
Model 912
Year 1967
Acquired APR 2017
Well, winter has
definitely arrived! It’s
freezing cold here on
the south coast and
the next ten days of
weather forecast is
saying rain every day.
It doesn’t get much more depressing
than that. So, with the short days and
dark mornings, getting out for a drive
becomes a tricky task.
Amazingly, on Sunday the weather
broke and I got a last-minute message
from some friends with classic 911s.
“Fancy a drive out… now?!” Luckily, the
afternoon was clear and the car was
ready to go. We grabbed the chance and
headed west down to West Bay.
Between us we had a beautifully
restored, concours 3.2 Carrera, a
stunning early 80s SC and my little 912.
They looked great cruising down the
narrow coast roads. Blasting along in an
old car, chasing each other out the
bends and testing out the brakes is such
a rewarding experience. I felt like from
the minute I sat in the seat I had a
permanent smile! We probably looked a
bit odd grinning like Cheshire cats
bumbling around the Dorset countryside.
For the mandatory tea stop we found
a great little place right on the cliff top.
There were a few modern Porsches
parked up outside when we arrived, and
when the staff realised we were there
separately by chance, they made it quite
clear which cars they preferred and even
specifically which one! It was a split vote,
but let’s just say the old girl’s still got it!
We had a great run out and it just
reminded me that we need to grab every
opportunity and do it more often. The
car ran impeccably and as always held
its own with its older siblings. It never
fails to deliver and surprise.
I’d love some new recommendations
for any great south coast driving roads,
so let me know!