Many may not approve of this but I wanted to show that these cars can be saved. Being a long time Vintage Automobile/Porsche enthusiast I have always found it hard to not save any great car. I have seen new rare cars simply tossed by insurance companies. Such was the case with a Silver 2004 996 GT3 that had extensive panel damage. Nearly every panel below the window line was damaged and wanted to save it from going to the yard. We acquired the GT3 and completed a full tear down removing all damaged parts. What remained was a structurally sound Porsche. [Airbags were not deployed] So the decision was made to rebuild it visually as a 997 GT3RS for my personal auto. We then proceeded to remove everything from the car including the interior yielding only the shell. Since the car was to have a color change to black I wanted the fit and finish perfect and show quality. Only new Porsche factory parts were used in the rebuild and correct 997 detail throughout the exterior. [note 997 door handles as well] It was not a simple build. The car has been completed for some time and has proven itself via many trips to and from Northern and Southern California. At events many are surprised to see it retains a 996 GT3 interior. [We have recently installed a Tequipment roll bar,alcantera wheel etc.] We love this car and the fact that this Porsche continues to provide daily enjoyment. We are fully aware that the tainted title limits its value and will always be a difficult sell. We’re fine with that. Also saving an existing 996 GT3 is much “Greener” than buying a new Prius.

 

Very nice work! Not going to ask how much it cost but you did a great job on it.

 

Nice work, it would be nice to see more detailed pictures.

 

any pics of the interior? and is the motor from the 996 or is it an rs motor

 

Reminded me of this 996 to 997 GT3 transformation :
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...onversion.html

Nice work and in a-lot of ways I really like how 996 GT3 drives more than 997 GT3 but I just can't stand the interior lol

 

Thanks. It retains the original 996 GT3 motor with the RS exhaust. Sounds great. We are considering an upgrade in the future but find that it serves us well at this time. I'll post additional photos as well as interior photos soon. I do agree that the 997 interior is more attractive. Interestingly I have had numerous people comment that they prefered the 996 interior.

 

Here are a few interior photos. [Sorry for the quality.] Actually the cost went over that of a nicely kept 996 GT3. The 997 RS conversion was the only reason attempted this project as well as saving the 996 since we knew no one was going to spend the money rebuilding it [correctly] to a proper original 996GT3. The only item on the car that is not production 997RS is the rocker panels. Although Porsche items these are the one piece rockers we've seen on the race cars. [see photo] These were available to us and thought it would be unique. We also converted what we could to RS interior which also added cost. Reupholstered the seats in Alcantera with orange stitching, Custom RS mats, RS carpets and Bar.

 

one of the nicest 996 interior around

 

Thank you Mikymu. Quite a complement coming from an owner of a 997GT3rs. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sure thing. I think you did a great job on the transformation. I am serious when I said the 996 GT3 drives better than the 997 GT3. Your interior mod is very nicely done and I really like the alcantara steering wheel

 

Nice conversion but you should put the 997 GT3 rims instead of repainting the 996 ones.

 

Looks outstanding, no need to justify what you've done. It's what you wanted and you made it happen - now you get to enjoy your work. As others have said, the interior is great; still 996 but much more befitting of the car's new look.

Either way you kept another GT3 from the wreckers and should be comended. Enjoy her in good health.

 

very cool build and that interior looks amazing...

 

Outstanding work... I can see how much sweat went into that:P

 

Didn't feel it was wrong to keep the 996 wheels as there was so little visual difference between the 996 / 997 wheels. Afterall it retains a 996 interior so we simply updated them [with paint and RS center caps] as we did the throughout the interior. I felt it was a subtle way to connect the 997 exterior with the 996 interior.