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.

Porsche GT3 Supercup Race Car @ Russo and Steele originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 20 July 2009 10:00 EST.

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Two of a kind and more or less of the same race. Sterling, robust and goes like blazes. Both are products of German engineering and both are married to speed. No winner in this battle between the Mclaren SLR and the Porsche 911 GT3. The track honed 911 GT3 showcases the amazing potential of Porsche’s engineering genius. The humongous 3.6-liter flat six revs to 8400 rpm producing 415 horsepower. The SLR on the other hand sports a monstrous V8 supercharged engine that generates a whopping 626 horsepower. Both these cars rank up there amongst the fastest, sportiest and most powerful categories. Just the right cars to zip along at a furious pace either on the track or on the road. A marvelous piece of photography from Pat Ernzen.

Flickr photo of the day: Porsche 911 GT3 with Mclaren SLR originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 February 2008 10:35 EST.

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Hankook Tire unveiling the Porsche 993 drift car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 13 March 2007 12:00 EST.

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During the second to the last year of production of the 993 (1997), Porsche offered the 993 Turbo S. Ultimately 375 pieces were sold. The Turbo S is a fully loaded Turbo including a power upgrade to 424 hp (DIN). Every thinkable amenities including a carbon decoration in the interior make it different to the earlier leightweight, spartanic 964 Turbo S. The 993 Turbo S is easily recognized by yellow brake calipers, a slightly larger wing, a 4-pipe exhaust and air scoops behind the doors.

Porsche 911 Turbo S (993) originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 17:25 EST.

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Ever since 1975, Porsche had always gotten round to offering a turbocharged 911 and by March 1996, the forced induction 993 was introduced. Featuring full time four wheel drive for the first time on a production 911 Turbo, this latest version used an almost identical drive system to the Carrera 4 produced alongside. Huge cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes and calipers were sourced from the 3.8-litre Carrera RS along with improved ABS 5. The anti-roll bars were thicker than regular 993’s, new 18-inch two piece wheels improving brake cooling.

Porsche 911 Turbo (993) originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 17:25 EST.

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Porsche 911 Turbo Exposition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 17:18 EST.

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The Carrera 4 S (1996) and later Carrera S (1997) shared the Turbo model’s bodyshell, but housed the naturally aspirated Carrera engine in the rear. The 4S came with four wheel drive, and retained the Turbo model’s larger brake discs with the characteristic red callipers. It could be described as a "Turbo without the turbochargers and rear wing", whereas the S was in all aspects a standard Carrera underneath (the wider rear fenders were compensated with 31 mm wheel spacers).

Porsche 911 Carrera 4s (993) originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 17:08 EST.

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