Let Chris Harris Tell You Why You Should Buy This 1996 Porsche 911 GT2

You should probably try to buy this 1996 Porsche 911 (993) GT2 that’s up at auction in the U.K. right now if you can. But don’t take my word for it, listen to Top Gear’s Chris Harris tell you exactly why this car is special in a video produced by Collecting Cars.

“The 993 GT2 was one of the great roadgoing homologation specials,” says Harris. “Built purely to legitimize a widebody 911 that could race at Le Mans, it ended up being one of the greatest machines ever to come out of Weissach.”

The car was originally sold in Japan, though it was specced as left-hand drive, despite the market. Its 3.6-liter air-cooled twin-turbocharged flat-six makes 430 hp (435 PS/320 kW) and 432 lb-ft (585 Nm) of torque, which gets funneled to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual transmission.

A kerb weight of just under 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) means that it can get up to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and all the way up to a top speed of 187 mph.

“It’s effectively a two-wheel-drive 993 Turbo with massive arches riveted to each corner,” says Harris. “But it drives quite differently, feeling far more like a 993 RS with massive power and torque.”

It shows 43,920 km (26,670 miles) on the odometer and, as a result, there are a few signs of age. According to Collecting Cars, there’s known prior damage to the bodywork, but all of the panels are believed to be original. And although the paint shows quite well overall, there are a few blemishes and stone chips at the front.

There are no electrical faults, though, and all of the switchgear works perfectly. Overall, it’s in excellent condition, which may explain why bids are already north of £500,000 ($691,280 USD). You can check out the full listing on Collecting Cars‘ website and put in your bid before the auction ends on August 22.