2004 911 GT3 RS

In 1999, Porsche introduced the GT3 name, replacing the RS moniker, to identify their naturally aspirated, racing-focused, homologous cars. But it didn’t take long for “RS” to return with the introduction of the 996 GT3 RS. The all-new RS was lighter than a GT3 thanks to a carbon fiber hood, rear wing, and polycarbonate rear windows. The engine was also an upgrade over the standard GT3 with reshaped intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder heads, and the suspension featured stiffer springs and a lower profile. Only 682 units were produced during its two-year run, with a total of 0 cars initially coming to the US.

Fortunately, we now find a handful of these rare 996s on our shores thanks to Show or Display laws, with this 2004 911 GT3 RS being one such example. Finished in Carrara White, our Spotlight car features the rarer Blue side stripes and wheels (compared to the more common Red) and shows just 17,000 miles on the odometer. As you would expect, this car is pristine inside and out, with only the hood noted to have paintwork due to bubbling from the unique nature of the composite material. The sale includes the original owner’s manual, tool kit, and most importantly, the Show or Display registration and documentation from the import and federalization.

The market for Federalized US-sold cars over the last eighteen months has been in the $200-250k range, with a high sale of $368,000 for a sub-1,000-mile example with Red accents that sold at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island sale earlier this year. Our Spotlight car just about matched that with a final bid of $365,500 but, unfortunately, failed to sell. The car is now offered in PCARMARKET’s Deal Tank for $450,000. With higher mileage than our current high but finished in the much rarer Blue colorway, is it worth the $450k? The high bid was fair; maybe you could push it closer to $400k for the Blue. But $450k? Yeah, I don’t think we are quite there yet.

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