That Time a 996 GT3 RS Magically Made it to America
The Porsche 996 GT3 RS was never sold in America. But that didn't stop this brave group of collectors from importing one to our shores.
Real One-Of-One
It seems strange today, but the very first Porsche GT3 RS was never sold in America. Strange because today, any well-heeled, well-connected collector can buy (a newer) one. Thus, it seems like we're past the point where we should see a proper 996 GT3 RS on our shores. And we aren't the only ones that think so, obviously. Because now it's actually happened.
Photo courtesy of Jalopnik
Pimping (And Importing) Ain't Easy
The story of how such an obvious yet glaring oversight could finally be corrected is told in its entirety over at Jalopnik. As anyone who's ever tried to import a non-U.S. model already knows, it ain't easy. Which is what Original Rare, the buyers of this 996 GT3 RS, quickly found out.
Photo courtesy of Jalopnik
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Wanting What You Can't Have
Still, the appeal proved too strong for owner Eric Pan to resist. "I’ve liked this generation, the 996, since it was first introduced in early 2000," Pan explained to Jalopnik. "I really admired the 996 GT2, so when Porsche introduced the more extreme track-focused 996 GT3 RS with the blue or red wheels and the ‘GT3 RS’ side stickers, it really caught my attention."
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Add Lightness
The GT3 RS, in particular, has also forged its reputation for outgunning other, more powerful cars on the track. Which only adds to that allure. They simply hold speed in the corners better than most cars out there, and they're fine examples of how less weight equates to both better speed and handling.
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Hot Pursuit
The concept behind Original Rare is to offer customers cars that they might otherwise have a very difficult time obtaining. Thus, the 996 GT3 RS seemed like one worth pursuing. And hey, they even went to the trouble of making it road legal!
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Making the Cut
But despite what you may think, Original Rare didn't have to use the "Canepa Rule" to slip this car into the U.S. "It is not on show and display tags," Pan explained. "This is a road-legal car with plates. The rule is that no car 25 years or newer can be legally imported into the United States unless it is determined eligible by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. NHTSA has a list of cars that can be legally imported to the United States by or through a registered importer. And the Porsche 911 GT3 is on that list."
Photo courtesy of Jalopnik
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Import Hell
Which makes you wonder why more people don't bring 996 GT3 RS examples to the states. Well, for starters, not many U.S. companies are registered as importers. Mainly because it's an expensive and tedious process. "The most difficult part is the waiting period," Pan said. "So being unable to drive the car for more than half a year is pretty tough."
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Squeaking By
And to make the car legal here in the U.S., several parts had to be changed out. Including parts of the exhaust. But since it qualifies as "substantially similar" to models sold here in the U.S., the 996 GT3 RS squeaks by, just barely.
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Needle in a Haystack
This particular car was imported from Japan. But finding it wasn't exactly easy, either, given their popularity over there. Pan had to use his many dealer connections in Japan to locate one. "A dealer contacted us directly about this particular car and my friend went to go look at it in person first," he explained. "He put down a deposit, but since this car is so rare, it was vital that we go to Japan to see it in person before we pay the full amount."
Photo courtesy of Jalopnik
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Totally Worth It
After purchasing the car, Pan had the car inspected and filed for an export certificate. Four weeks later, the Porsche finally made it to a U.S. port and cleared customs. But to hear Pan tell it, it was all worth it.
"The 996 GT3 RS has a more raw driving experience," he said. "The 997’s engine is not as responsive as the 996 even though the 997 and 991 have more horsepower. The 996 just feels better to drive. It feels more connected. I love rowing through the gears of the 996 versus the PDK transmission of the 991."
Photo courtesy of Jalopnik
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