A rare 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 finished in Speed Yellow has been listed for sale by Grand Prix Motors and is being offered here through duPont REGISTRY. Believed to be one of only 16 examples painted in the color, along with a black leather interior, carries an extensive list of factory options, further adding to its appeal within an already limited production run.
The GT2 lineage dates back to the 993 of the mid-1990s, and it has traditionally sat at the top of the 911 range; the formula behind it is consistent across most generations. Porsche takes the era's 911 Turbo, ditches the all-wheel-drive system, adds power, and cuts weight until only the essentials remain. In effect, the model marries the focused chassis philosophy of the GT3 to the turbocharged power of the 911 Turbo.
However, the reputation that came with it is older than the 997 itself. Some modern GT2s certainly pack the ingredients to be a "Widowmaker,". a nickname first attached to the 930 Turbo, and a nod to the demands of sending large amounts of boost to the rear wheels.
Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter Mezger flat-six that produces 530 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque. The engine uses variable-turbine-geometry turbochargers, the same tech found on the contemporary 911 Turbos, tracing its architecture through Porsche's racing program to the 911 GT1.
That drivetrain layout is the defining feature here, because the GT2 pairs considerably more power than the GT3 with rear-wheel drive along a six-speed manual and a curb weight of just 3,175 pounds, around 320 pounds lighter than the Turbo. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, a titanium exhaust, and extensive use of composites accounted for further savings.
The aerodynamic hardware is functional, with ram-air intakes integrated into the GT2's rear wing supports feeding combustion air to the engine. The distinctive gill-like outlets behind the rear wheels serve as intercooler outlet ducts, helping air flow efficiently through the intercoolers. Hydraulic steering, a notably mechanical manual shift, and firm suspension further give the GT2 a distinctly physical character by modern standards.
The performance puts the 997 GT2 remarkably close to the Porsche Carrera GT halo supercar, with 0-60 mph taking just over 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 204 miles per hour, putting the 997 GT2 just one mile per hour shy of the V10-powered flagship. Two-time World Rally Champion and Porsche Works driver, Walter Röhrl, also reportedly lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 32 seconds, close to the Carrera GT's old time of 7:28, also set by Röhrl.
While the market awaits a 992-generation GT2, older models are drawing collector attention. Amongst the analog-era cars, we have the water-cooled 996 and 997 model families. Notably, the 997 also marked the final time the GT2 family offered a manual gearbox, in the GT2 RS that followed, before the 991 GT2 RS arrived with only a PDK dual-clutch transmission.
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This brings us to this particular 997 GT2. As 1-of-16 finished in Speed Yellow, and one of just 214 for North America, it is among the rarest colors in an already small production run of roughly 1,270 examples built at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant in Stuttgart for the 2008 and 2009 model years. The bright color carries through to the interior with the seatbelts and stitching in contrasting yellow set against a full black leather cabin.
The car is fitted with carbon-fiber bucket seats and carries a carbon interior package, carbon switch panels, carbon rear center console, and illuminated carbon door-entry guards. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity also lists the Sport Chrono Package Turbo, Bose Surround Sound System, Navigation Module for PCM, carbon multifunction steering wheel, black-painted wheels, Porsche crests on the headrests, and more.
With its rare Speed Yellow finish, extensive list of factory options, six-speed manual, and Mezger-powered performance, this 997 GT2 represents one of the most distinctive configurations. Click the link below to view the complete specifications, mileage, and price.
Images: Grand Prix Motors, Porsche AG
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