Porsche GT3 Supercup Race Car @ Russo and Steele

How often do you come across a car that is already considered a must-have classic without even being more than ten years old?

Well, when you chance upon this 2002 Porsche 993 GT3 Supercup Race Car, be advised that you’re looking at one.

Despite being similar to thousands of other 996 models, this particular GT3 race car holds a special place in the hearts of collectors for its stirring performance during the 2002 Porshce Supercup series. Driven by no less than Stephane Ortelli, one of the three drivers of the victorious Porsche GT1 that raced during the 1998 24 hours Le Mans, this particular Porsche was able to accomplish what no other Porsche has ever done, winning its series in its very first year with Ortelli, one of the best drivers of that period, sitting behind the wheel.

The car, by most accounts, is pretty similar to most other 996 models that carry the same 3.6 liter displacement of the 996’s horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine. With the added element of water-cooling to the first 996 production car, the GT3’s engine is closer to that of the 962 racing engine, which was completely water-cooled. However, unlike the 962, which used 6 individual cylinder heads, the GT1 and GT3 used 2 cylinder heads like the 959.

Continued after the jump.