Porsche has chosen to honor the illustrious legacy of the 996-generation 911 GT3 RS, victor of the 2003 24 Hours of Daytona, through a bespoke creation rooted in the latest 992 GT3 RS generation.
Back on February 2, 2003, a Porsche 911 fielded by The Racer Group, under the stewardship of team owner Kevin Buckler, triumphed at the Daytona International Speedway, surpassing not only its GT counterparts but also the swifter prototype cars making their debut that season.
Following closely behind were Risi Competizione in a Ferrari 360 Modena GT and Rennwerks Motorsports in a Porsche 911 GT3-R, respectively. Piloting the victorious 911 were drivers Joerg Bergmeister, Michael Schrom, and Timo Bernhard.
The genesis of this unique 911 traces back to a conversation between Bergmeister and Schrom, who conceived the idea of crafting a tribute vehicle following the introduction of the aerodynamically advanced 911 GT3 RS in 2022.
The esteemed Sonderwunsch program, renowned for its craftsmanship in tailoring exclusive Porsches such as the Carrera Panamericana-inspired 718 Cayman GT4 RS, meticulously adorned the 911 in Riviera Blue, mirroring the iconic hue of the Daytona-winning predecessor.
Racing Yellow accents adorn select areas, including the side mirrors and side plates of the prominent swan-neck wing, predominantly clad in white. Notably, Bergmeister opted against the bare carbon Weissach Package, maintaining the exterior’s vibrant blue allure.
Internally, the cabin exudes sophistication with black leather upholstery accentuated by GT Silver stitching.
Race-Tex envelops the dashboard, while carbon fiber door sill panels feature special engraving reminiscent of the coveted Rolex watches bestowed upon winners of the 24 Hours of Daytona. In homage to its forebear, the vehicle is outfitted with the Club Sports package, inclusive of a 2.2-lb road-legal fire extinguisher.
While the Sonderwunsch program primarily focuses on aesthetics, the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine remains unchanged, delivering a formidable output of 518 horsepower and 342 lb-ft of torque straight from the factory.
Presented to Bergmeister at Zuffenhausen earlier this month, coinciding with his 48th birthday, the bespoke GT3 RS undergoes meticulous paint protection. However, Bergmeister expresses reluctance to utilize it as a daily driver due to its sentimental value, deeming it “a little too precious.”
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Bergmeister remarks, “I’m still proud of what we achieved back then at Daytona, and this car has brought back those memories already. I’m not usually that emotional, but when I first saw it, I got goosebumps. I feel so fortunate that it’s finally done, and I’m super-stoked with how it’s turned out.”
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