1995 Porsche 911 GT2 Coupe

The most successful Gran Turismo car does not merely exist in history but continues to circulate in sportscar races the world over. And while there have been many evolutions of the Porsche 911 and there are many older versions still to be found throughout the world, the model's racing lineage is such that each one has its own, and likely successful, racing history story to tell. And the one offered at the 2012 Gooding and Company Amelia Island auction would be no exception.

Chassis number 393062 arrived in Pompano Beach, Florida in its race trim and an unassuming all white finish. Delivered to Champion Porsche owner Dave Maraj, the car would come with its Bilstein shock absorbers and electronic sensors but would undergo its preparations for the competition.

In time, the all-white Porsche 911 would be transformed into a truly catching colorful car and would make its debut at a race not all that far from where it had been prepared.

On the 5th of February Daytona International Speedway played host to the Daytona 24 Hours. This would be the first race for the new GT2 Porsche. Entered in the GTS-1 category, the number 74 Porsche would have a driver line-up that would give the team a great shot at taking victory in the category. With Hans-Joachim Stuck and Bill Adam at the wheel, along with Harold Grohs, Neto Jochamowitz and Dorsey Schroeder, the Champion Porsche would start the race from 20th on the grid. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be a fairy tale debut as the car would fail to finish the race as a result of an accident.

However, things would change at the very next race. The very next month, Florida would again play host to a round of the International Motor Sport Association GTS series. The race was the 12 Hours of Sebring International Grand Prix of Endurance. And, once again, Stuck and Adam would partner together to drive the number 74 Porsche 911 GT2. For the 12 hour race, Stuck and Adam would start from 21st on the grid but would fair much better than at Daytona.

Unlike Daytona, the Champion Porsche would make it the entire race distance. And at the end of the 12 hour race, Stuck and Adam would be in 6th place overall but in 2nd in the GTS-1 category. Therefore, in just the car's second race, it had earned its first podium.

The successes would continue to come. At Watkins Glen in late June, Stuck and Adam would drive their way to an 8th place overall finish and another 2nd place in the GTS-1 category. The team would then earn a 3rd place in category at the one hour and forty-five minute Sears Point race.

Over the course of its racing history, chassis 393062 would have a number of highlights but perhaps none would be as momentous as its GTS-1 victory in the 1996 Sebring 12 Hours. In that race, Stuck and Adam would enjoy four laps advantage over the 2nd place car in the category and would end up finishing the race 6th place overall. Throughout the race the Champion Porsche would prove to be an incredibly tough competitor and would routinely run very impressive lap times.

In spite of the achievements the 911 GT2 achieved, Champion Racing had its sights set a little higher. And at the end of the 1996 season Champion would decide to move on to the 911 GT1. As a result, the GT2 would be sold. It would end up as the property of noted Porsche authority Weldon Scrogham where it would stay until purchased in 2002 by Matthew Drendel to be part of his ever-impressive collection of notable Porsches.

However, as part of the Drendel Family collection, 393062 would not be hidden away from the public eye. At the 50th Anniversary Porsche Parade in Hershey, Pennsylvania 393062 would be part of the procession. It would also be featured in a number of publications. And with such drivers as Bill Adam, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Derek Bell and Thierry Boutsen having sat behind the wheel of the car, this particular Porsche 911 GT2 has a rich history that extends well beyond its achievements on the race track.

Representing proudly the last generation of air-cooled Turbocharged 911s, 393062 would come to auction also proudly sporting its Champion Racing livery with which it earned its special place in Porsche history and its place in the noted Drendel Family collection.

Still boasting its 3.6-liter, twin KKK Turbocharged, 450 hp flat-6 engine, this chassis reminds all on-lookers as to why it was featured in Randy Leffingwell's Porsche 911: Perfection by Design. And its estimated value coming to auction of between $375,000 and $425,000 would be an obvious reminder as to the car's successes on the track.

As the car left the block it had come to garner a sale price of $357,500.

Sources:
'Lot No. 62: 1995 Porsche 911 GT2', (http://www.goodingco.com/car/1995-porsche-911-gt2-evolution). Gooding and Company. http://www.goodingco.com/car/1995-porsche-911-gt2-evolution. Retrieved 14 March 2012.

'Championships: International Motor Sport Association', (http://www.racingsportscars.com/championship/IMSA%20GT.html). Racing Sports Cars. http://www.racingsportscars.com/championship/IMSA%20GT.html. Retrieved 14 March 2012.

'Porsche: 1995 Porsche 911 GT2', (http://www.supercars.net/cars/5640.html). Supercars.net. http://www.supercars.net/cars/5640.html. Retrieved 14 March 2012.

'Gooding and Company Classic Car Auctions: 1995 Porsche 911 GT2', (http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/164078/index.html). Anamera: My Premium Portal. http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/164078/index.html. Retrieved 14 March 2012.


Wikipedia contributors, 'Porsche 911 GT2', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 February 2012, 19:09 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porsche_911_GT2&oldid=476494210 accessed 14 March 2012

By Jeremy McMullen