An increasingly desirable iteration of the Porsche 996; an early Carrera in coupe guise, with a manual gearbox, and in the incredibly rare Guards Red body-colour and with the uncommon factory fitted GT3 aero kit. What separates this example further from its peers is its unusual spec, boasting the “Sports Package” (option code 014), which is made up of M030 sports suspension package (option code 030), limited slip differential (option codes 220, 222, 224), and sports hard backed seats with shoulder supports (option codes 375, 376). The coachwork is in good condition, with straight body panels and no signs of previous repairs. The iconic Guards Red paint-work (colour code L84A) presents well, with a deep, glossy finish, enhanced and protected by our customary day’s worth of FGP detailing that’s been completed. Being critical, there are stone chips to the nose, and the odd minor blemish, but overall, the Porsche looks superb. The enlarged, chrome “Tequipment” tail pipe tips, which were also specified from new, add further to this special 911’s stand-out looks. The genuine and original GT3 “sport design” wheels, which are two-piece split BBS units, were fairly recently refurbished, with only one minor curb mark to the N/S/R. The timeless black leather interior makes for a nice place to be. The optional sports hard backed seats are in lovely order, and their Guards Red backing, as well as the Guards Red centre console, ties in beautifully with the 996’s exterior. The dashboard, carpets, door cards and head-lining etc are also all in nice condition, and everything electrical in the Porsche works just as it should, including the electric retractable sun-roof and the air conditioning system, which we have just fitted two new condensers to and re-gassed the system. The optional extra codes on this car are as follows: C16, 030, XRB, 014, 220, 222, 224, 234, 375, 376, 436, 650, 790, 09991. There are a combination of features with this example that make it a particularly engaging 996: It is sparse in relation to optional equipment, which makes it lightweight, it is an early example, meaning it has a mechanical cable operated throttle, and it boasts the aforementioned M030 sports suspension package and limited slip differential. Importantly, as part of our sales preparation, we have upgraded the IMS bearing for our favoured EPS cylindrical unit, so this troublesome area is not of concern. We have also renewed the three-piece clutch kit and the rear main oil seal, so the clutch pedal is light and the underside of the engine is dry. The manual transmission changes through its six speeds smoothly and the brakes have just undergone a comprehensive rebuild (detailed below) during our preparation process. Out on the road, the 911 is wonderfully poised, with the M030 suspension lowering the ride height by 10mm and slightly stiffening the chassis, and with the limited slip differential making for a more lively 911 in the bends. During our preparation process we have renewed an array of suspension components, resulting in a Porsche that is tight and responsive. Falken tyres are fitted with 6mm of tread to the rear and 7mm to the front. The comprehensive servicing record is made up of a folder filled with documentation relating to the car, such as previous works invoices, MOT certificates, and other miscellaneous papers, as well as the original owners wallet containing the owners manuals and the maintenance booklet. The booklet is full, with 18 service intervals stamped, meaning a new booklet will also be supplied with the car. The service intervals completed are as follows: 07/02/2000 – 10,256 miles, 17/01/2001 – 24,932 miles, 22/10/2001 – 34,700 miles, 10/04/2003 – 46,357 miles, 06/04/2004 – 57,768 miles, 29/03/2005 – 66,116 miles, 10/07/2006 – 72,706 miles, 08/09/2006 – 73,547 miles, 08/09/2007 – 76,417 miles, 19/01/2009 – 81,357 miles, 19/10/2009 – 87,593 miles, 30/07/2010 – 92,928 miles, 20/02/2013 – 102,763 miles, 04/02/2017 – 107,765 miles, 08/07/2017 – 111,685 miles, 28/06/2018 – 116,698 miles, 24/07/2019 – 119,507 miles, 22/06/2020 – 122,357 miles, 29/12/2021 – 125,023 miles. As noted, we have just carried out a service on the Porsche, as well as a brake fluid change and MOT. Further work completed during our sales preparation process includes: Upgrade of IMS bearing to EPS cylindrical unit, renewal of three-piece clutch kit, adjust windscreen washer jets, remedy fault with driver’s electric mirror operation, remedy fault with electric sun-roof retraction, renew rear screen seal, renew bonnet shield gasket and nuts, renew 2x bonnet damping struts, instate missing bonnet latch surround fixings, renew engine bay light bulb, renew auxiliary drive belt, renew coolant expansion bottle, renew air box intake pipe, renew all brake discs, pads, wear sensors and backing shims, service hand-brake, renew 2x air conditioning condensers, re-gas air conditioning system, renew 2x front suspension bump stops, renew N/S/F arch liner, renew 2x steering rack PAS pipes O ring seals, renew 4x suspension lower control arms, renew 2x front anti roll bar bushes, renew 2x rear anti roll bar bushes, renew 4x under-body trays, renew 4x brake calliper pipes, renew 1x front “cross over” brake pipe, renew 2x front to rear brake pipes, renew 6x spark plug tubes, renew N/S lower engine core plug, renew 2x coil pack heat shields, remove and respray roof rails, renew 2x roof rail seals. In recent times, the 996 has undergone the following works: Renewal of power steering return line, renewal of engine mounts, renewal of clutch master cylinder, renewal of air oil separator, renewal of oil cooler, renewal of water pump, renewal of thermostat for low temperature unit, renewal of gear cable set, renewal of low pressure air conditioning pipe.