Highlights

Manual 3.8-litre
Four-wheel drive system
Good service history
Excellent spec
Exclusive PTS paintwork

The Appeal

With the 997, Porsche really hit their water-cooled stride. Widely acknowledged as one of the most desirable modern 911s, it offered a fantastic blend of performance, luxury and superb build quality. Still sought after, they make for excellent, genuinely usable daily sports cars.

This particular example is replete with a number of desirable options, most especially the superb PTS (Paint To Sample) paintwork, which is very special and makes the vehicle truly unique. Alongside the rare manual transmission, fine spec and good history, we think it makes this handsome coupé something very desirable indeed.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in March 2008
Eight owners from new
Current owner since September 2021, purchased from PMC Motors (Porsche Specialists) in Surrey
The car is currently SORN as the MOT expired in September 2022
Very good MOT record, with only one failure for tyre tread depth and headlamp adjustment
Comprehensive service history – 10 stamps in the book, with the last at 81,960 miles in November 2020
86,842 miles indicated, confirmed by service and MOT record
Less than 3,000 miles covered since September 2021 and little used in recent months
Stored in a climate controlled ‘Carcoon’ by the vendor
Only selling as they want to thin their collection
Complete with the owner’s handbook, a number of invoices and the current V5C

The Interior

Extended natural tan leather upholstery
Electrically operated 12-way seats with lumbar support
Three-memory function to driver’s seat
Electric steel sunroof, windows and door mirrors
Cruise control and parking sensors
Infotainment system with navigation, phone, radio and CD changer
Air conditioning
Makesser multifunction steering wheel
Optional dash-mounted stopwatch

The extended tan leather upholstery fitted to this 997 beautifully complements the paintwork and has a luxurious, high-end feel. There’s a little wear showing to the outer bolster of the driver’s seat and a few general marks and blemishes to the door cards, centre console and rear seats, but nothing that would raise any concerns for us.

Colour matched to the leather, the headlining looks to be secure and undamaged, with no signs of staining or water ingress. Similarly, the carpets match the cabin well and look to be in very good order. These are nicely contrasted with a set of official Porsche mats in a dark brown finish matching the car.

Looking at the trim and switchgear, the material quality is high, as you’d expect, and the layout is nicely ergonomic with some quality finishes. Above the passenger glovebox, there are a pair of retractable cupholders, which adds a dash of extra practicality. One of our favourite features in the cabin is the wood finish to the steering wheel and the gear shifter, which provides a nice element of tactility.

The switchgear shows a little wear and patination, with the vendor telling us that the right side infotainment dial is getting slightly sticky. However, we’re assured by the vendor that everything works just as it should, with no issues that they are aware of.

At the front, there is a useful “frunk” space, big enough for a couple of soft overnight bags. Also present is the toolkit, compressor and a warning triangle.

The Exterior

Exclusive PTS Macadamia Brown Metallic paintwork
Optional ‘Sport Design’ wheels
Electrically operated rear spoiler
Optional top-tinted windscreen and rear window wiper
Optional painted side-skirts

With the exterior finished in that wonderful shade of metallic brown, this is a truly exclusive vehicle. Porsche’s PTS system allows you to have your car painted in pretty much any colour in existence, so the chances of coming across another 911 in the same spec are vanishingly small.

The paintwork presents very nicely overall, with a fine gloss and deep lustre. There’s the odd very minor mark, but the only notable blemishes are a scratch to the rear near-side bumper underneath the numberplate, and some marks to the sunroof caused by a loose seal.

We’re told by the vendor that the sunroof seal has come loose and will need to be replaced as, at present, it makes fully closing the sunroof quite tricky. Otherwise, the rest of the bodywork looks to be in fine fettle, with no evidence of corrosion or significant damage that we could discern.

As far as we can see, all of the trim elements, lights and glass areas are in good order. The front sidelights have been recently replaced, and we note that the ‘S’ of the ‘4S’ badge at the rear has broken.

This 911 is riding on the optional 19-inch ‘Sport Design’ wheels, which look to be in pretty good order, with just a few minor marks and blemishes. They are shod in quality Michelin tyres that appear to have good tread levels.

It’s reported by the vendor that the underside is in good order, with just a little surface corrosion to the rear subframe to be seen.

The Mechanics

3,824cc naturally-aspirated water-cooled flat-six
Six-speed manual transmission
Four-wheel drive system
Porsche Stability Management

Pushing a meaty 350hp to all four wheels, this handsome coupé is short of neither power nor grip. But it’s not lacking in interaction either, having been specified with a manual transmission. As such, it’s not only a very accomplished GT car, but a real driver’s machine too.

As the car has been in storage and little used recently, the vendor tells us that the car would benefit from a service and will require an MOT. However, in their ownership, a number of maintenance jobs have been undertaken, including: new rear exhaust box, new calliper brake hoses, new near-side alloy front-to-back brake pipe, new battery, and finally new rear discs / pads / sensors. They have also had a bore scope inspection, which has confirmed the fine state of the cylinder liners.

We’re assured that the car runs very well, with no issues to report.

Summary

A very nice example of a superb sports car, finished in an exclusive and attractive specification.

We think this would make for an excellent daily driver and certainly has much to recommend it.

Notice to buyers

This vehicle is subject to third party financing. The amount of finance due on the vehicle is less than the reserve. The seller will discharge the financing debt and all related costs absolutely within two full working days from the end of the auction on a successful sale and will confirm to the buyer that such release has occurred. This obligation will be implied into the contract of sale between the buyer and the seller on auction close.

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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