Porsche Built A $338,000 911 GT3 To Honour Its First UK Show Cars

Rewinding To 1951

Porsche’s in-house customization division, Exclusive Manufaktur, has produced some of the brand’s most exquisite-looking vehicles, including the Japan-exclusive 911 GT3 Artisan Edition released earlier this year. Its latest project, however, is extra special, as it pays tribute to the 356 coupes that arrived in Great Britain at the 1951 Earls Court Motor Show.

Dubbed the Porsche 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition, the limited-run model features details inspired by the 356, the brand's first production model. It wears Earls Court Green Metallic, referencing the color of one of the 356 models displayed at the auto show 75 years ago, while also nodding to the classic British Green, a color used by Aston Martin in Formula 1. Inside, the special GT3 mimics the 356’s cabin with Night Green and Chalk Beige leather, corduroy upholstery, Paldao wood trim, and, of course, “Earls Court 51” logos.

Performance Without The Drama

The Earls Court 51 Edition is based on the 911 GT3 with Touring Package, which Porsche says better fits the character of the 356. That ruled out more “extroverted models” such as the GT3 RS and Turbo, with the former boasting track-focused upgrades including a massive DRS-style wing.

This limited-edition model, meanwhile, produces 510 PS (503 horsepower) from a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine. By comparison, the recommissioned 356 that accompanies it produces just 40 PS (39 horsepower) from a 1.1-liter flat-four engine.

That recommissioned 356 was restored by Porsche's ultra-bespoke Sonderwunsch customization program, which fitted it with new brake lines, a fresh wiring harness, and a new fuel system, while carrying out modest body repairs. The classic sports car was also finished with styling cues that either inspired or directly mirrored those found on the 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition.

Built For The Few

The 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition will debut at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit this weekend. Porsche is limiting production to 51 examples, each priced from £251,951, or approximately $338,000 at current exchange rates. Each car also comes with a matching Porsche Design Chronograph 1 timepiece, a leather Weekender bag, a 1:18-scale model, and a commemorative book.

For reference, the regular GT3 with Touring Package starts at $235,800 in the U.S., so buyers are essentially paying roughly $100,000 extra, based on current exchange rates, for the exclusive styling, historical significance, and limited-production status.

View the full article