2005 Porsche 911 GT3

This lot comes to us as part of a fine collection of classic cars and motorcycles belonging to the late Professor Christopher H. Bovis FRSA, a widely published and respected expert in international and European business law, public procurement and public/private partnerships, and he was clearly a bit of a petrol head too!

The eagle-eyed sleuths among you will have noticed that there is a large, grey pachyderm in the room and it’s waving its trunk about in the hope of getting our attention.

The elephant in question is, of course, the car’s Cat D status.

According to the RAC, a Cat D insurance write-off occurs when a vehicle is deemed uneconomical to repair by insurers because repair costs exceed its market value, yet the damage is usually minor or cosmetic.

Now, we don’t know the circumstances behind the car’s Cat D status, but we believe the incident occurred in 2005, which is the year Professor Bovis bought the car new.

But we do know that there are a few things to bear in mind in relation to this particular marque and the model.

This was a nearly new Porsche 911 GT3 when the unfortunate incident occurred.

In other words, a very rare, unusual and expensive car.

So, replacing the ashtray and one of the vanity mirrors would probably cost more than a Ford Focus.

Also, the initial repair estimate will have been given in the knowledge that it was for insurance purposes, and that usually means adding a few noughts for good measure in our experience.

Another thing we know about this particular car is that it will have been repaired by the Professor’s chosen experts regardless of cost and to the highest possible standard.

And we know that because we’ve seen the quality of this car and the others from his collection that have come our way.

This car is in exceptional condition, inside and out, and has just 3,339 miles indicated on its odometer.

We know from the car’s MoT trail that the mileage was 2,724 in 2010 so, as you can no doubt discern, it’s been leading a very quiet life for at least the last 16 years.

The car’s battery is as lifeless as a Monty Python parrot, and although we’ve been able to start the car using a jump pack, we’ve refrained from driving it more than a few feet.

Its lengthy period of inactivity will necessitate some basic recommissioning.

As ever with the 911, the Meister Technikers of Zuffenhausen have ensured that the shut-lines and panel gaps are crisp and exact, and that the doors close with the metallic thunk of quality familiar to 911 owners through the ages.

Everything is robust, deliberate, built to the hilt, and reassuringly over-engineered.

Frankly, this car couldn’t be more German if it was wearing leather shorts and eating a sausage.

The bodywork is untroubled by any dinks, dents, warps or creases worthy of attention and the Arctic Silver metallic paint is pretty much showroom fresh wherever you look, the paint does how ever feel a bit rough to the touch so something a good machine polish would improve greatly .

Even entirely standard stone chips and light swirly scratches are far more notable for their absence than their presence.

The wheels have clearly spent their lives living in blissful ignorance of kerbs or other roadside obstacles.

They are shod in matching Michelin Pilot Sport rubber.

The signature GT3 spoiler is firm and sturdy.

Even the lower part of the valance is remarkably untroubled by scuffs and marks.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all appear to following the same script in terms of quality, condition and preservation.

In case you’re wondering about the Canadian flag decals and the name Jakov Lamar on the window, here’s your answer. The Professor’s wife, who is also a Professor, a highly respected and accomplished academic, and a classic car and motorbike enthusiast, is Canadian…..and the family cat was called Jakov Lamar.

So, now you know.

In every meaningful way, it looks like a car that has yet to reach the 3,500-mile mark and has led a cosseted and pampered life in storage for the best part of two decades.

Unsurprisingly, the interior is every bit as good as its exterior counterpart.

It’s possible that Professor Bovis may have specced his new car with some elements from the GT3 ‘Clubsport’ package, because it is kitted out with a Porsche-supplied half roll-cage and leather-clad bucket seats.

But we don’t know – that’s just conjecture.

Those nods to track and competition use aside, the rest of the car is as well-appointed, classy and luxurious as any 996.

The door cards are beyond reproach, as are the headlining, carpets and mats.

So, too, is the frunk.

We looked in vain for any meaningful scuffs, marks or abrasions on the seats and were equally unsuccessful trying to find fault with the dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever, dials, instruments, buttons, knobs, switches and displays.

In short, it’s all good.

Obviously, there’s not much to see if you peer into the engine bay of a 911, but what we can see is reassuringly clean and dry, with everything in what seems to be its right and proper place.

With fewer than 3,400 miles on the clock, the engine has barely had a chance to break into a sweat or clear its throat. we would recommend a fresh battery though.

The undersides of the car look sound, solid and as you would hope and expect to find on a car that’s spent much of its life with its feet up and wouldn’t recognise snow, rain or salt if you showed it pictures of them.

The car comes with less history than David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth.

But, then again, it really hasn’t been anywhere or done anything, so that shouldn’t be too surprising.

It comes with its original book pack, a few old MoT certificates, an HPI report and a V5C.

This is a one owner, low mileage GT3 - with the famously unbreakable ‘Mezger’ powerplant at its heart - and it was owned, looked-after and cherished by a man who collected and curated some very fine cars and motorcycles.

Yes, it has a Cat D notice affixed to its DVLA passport.

Do we care?

No.

Not a bit.

And we don’t think you should, either.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £80,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.