Manthey M440 engine conversion, enlarged to 3.9 litres and producing 450 bhp
Factory Clubsport specification with full roll cage, Perlon bucket seats and harnesses
Three registered keepers from new; never previously offered for sale on the open market
Comprehensive history file documenting in excess of £100,000 in recorded maintenance
Over £24,000 invested since May 2025, including an engine-out service and brake rebuild
Advisory-free MOT to June 2027
The Appeal
The 996-generation GT3 is widely regarded as one of the purest driver's cars Porsche has ever produced: a naturally aspirated, manually shifted, rear-wheel-drive distillation of everything the Mezger flat-six era stood for. Ordered with the Clubsport package: full roll cage, Perlon bucket seats, harnesses, fire extinguisher and electrical cut-off, this Basalt Black Metallic example was specified by its first owner as Porsche intended the car to be enjoyed, and it has been used accordingly across its 86,826 miles.
What elevates this particular GT3 beyond the standard car is the Manthey Racing M440 engine conversion, carried out in 2011 at approximately 52,000 miles. The engine was rebuilt with larger pistons and cylinders, increasing displacement to 3.9 litres, and the factory ECU was remapped to suit. Combined with the M&M exhaust system and a modified airbox, the car produced 450 bhp and 460 Nm of torque on the VGS dyno, a substantial gain over the factory figures. The vendor describes the resulting increase in torque as transformative, giving the car the ability to pull from 30 mph in sixth gear courtesy of the Cup car final drive ratio.
The provenance here is notable. This is a three-keeper car that has passed between owners entirely off-market, and it arrives with a history folder approaching four inches thick, covering every piece of maintenance from new. The original bill of sale, price list, GT3 owner's manuals and two service books are all present, along with two keys. The car has been maintained by a roll call of respected specialists including Porsche main dealers, PARR, Manthey Racing, JZM, Zeigen Porsche and, most recently, Prepworks, a 996/997 GT3 specialist run by the current owner.
The recent investment is considerable. An engine-out service was completed earlier this year, encompassing welded coolant fittings, new rubber coolant hoses, radiators, header tank, water pump, spark plugs, coil packs and auxiliary belt. At the same time, the brake callipers were fully rebuilt, Girodisc two-piece rotors and Pagid RSL29 pads were fitted all round, and the clutch hydraulics were refreshed. In 2025, Prepworks-specification Nitron dampers with adjustable damping were installed, along with a Numeric shifter and cables. The car has covered just 200 miles since this work was completed.
Original parts including the factory rear wing, steering wheel, dampers and springs, head unit, and even the original cylinder liners and pistons are supplied with the car. The vendor describes this as the ultimate evolution of the Clubsport 996 GT3, a car that bridges the gap to later GT3 performance while retaining the visceral, analogue character that makes the 996 generation so highly regarded.image.png1.62 MB
History and Paperwork
UK-registered right-hand drive car, first registered 21st November 2003
Three registered keepers from new
Originally purchased from Porsche Centre Park Lane, London, at a retail price of £82,113
Never previously offered for sale on the open market; all changes of ownership have been private, off-market transactions
Comprehensive history folder from new, including the original bill of sale and option list
Two service books present (first book full, second started)
Original GT3 owner's manuals and price list retained
Two keys
Maintenance history spanning Porsche Centre Reading, Porsche Centre Hatfield, PARR, Manthey Racing, JZM, Zeigen Porsche and Prepworks
MOT valid to 18th June 2027 (no advisories)
Original cylinder liners, pistons, rear wing, steering wheel, dampers/springs and head unit supplied with the car
Basalt Black Metallic paintwork with black extended leather interior
Single-stage machine polish and five-year ceramic coating applied in 2025
Underside dry-ice cleaned with Dinitrol clear wax protection applied
Original GT3 wheels (8.5" and 11") refurbished in July 2026
Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S tyres (245/35 front, 295/30 rear), dated 2024
Factory Clubsport items present: full roll cage, Perlon-covered bucket seats, Schroth harnesses and electrical cut-off
Werner fire extinguisher and mounts supplied but not currently installed
Cup car front bumper and splitter fitted, along with carbon RS replica rear wing and RS engine cover air scoop
OMP steering wheel on Momo boss fitted; original steering wheel supplied
As you can see, this is a purposeful machine, although far less extreme in the flesh than many of Porsche and Manthey's later collaborations, which we find very pleasing. The application of ceramic coating in 2025 helps protect that attractive Basalt Black Metallic paintwork, while the underside is protected with Dinitrol following dry-ice blasting.
The vendor reports the car is in very good overall condition for its age, with minor marks from use, as expected. They state that the interior is in equally good order with no notable damage, and that everything works; its condition is described as far better than the age and mileage would suggest.
3.9-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine (Manthey M440 conversion from original 3,600cc)
Six-speed manual transmission
The vendor states the car starts, runs and drives without fault
Manthey M440 engine build completed in 2011 at approximately 52,000 miles, producing 450 bhp and 460 Nm of torque on the VGS dyno
M&M exhaust system (manifolds, 200-cell X-pipe catalytic converters and side silencers) refitted with new clamps and gaskets in 2026
Modified factory airbox by VGS/Manthey for increased airflow
996 GT3 Cup car final drive fitted, providing shorter gearing
Gearbox rebuilt at Manthey in 2016 at approximately 67,000 miles, with new 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gears
RS single-mass flywheel and motorsport-specification differential
Numeric shifter and cables fitted in 2025
Prepworks-specification Nitron dampers with adjustable damping fitted new in 2025, with spring rates matched to OE
Engine-out service completed in spring 2026, including coolant fittings welded into engine castings, all rubber engine coolant hoses replaced, new front side radiators, new header tank, new water pump, new spark plugs, coil packs and auxiliary belt
Clutch slave cylinder replaced and rear clutch line sections renewed during the same service
Brake callipers fully rebuilt with new seals in 2026; Girodisc two-piece discs and Pagid RSL29 pads fitted all round with HEL braided lines and Motul RBF660 fluid
Genuine Porsche 964 RS engine mounts and 997 GT3 front gearbox mount fitted
RSS front castor pucks
Only 200 miles covered since completion of the recent mechanical work
We encourage you to read the above list carefully to fully appreciate the enormous specification this car boasts, as well as the extensive work it has received. Even in standard form, the 996.2 GT3 is a fine thing. Manthey takes that formula to the next level with an M440 engine build completed in 2011. The vendor describes the car as mechanically fresh, with most critical components rebuilt or replaced. This assertion is supported by an advisory-free MOT valid to June 2027.image.png1.42 MB BEFORE YOU BUY
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