Extremely Scarce, Half-Constructed Porsche 911 GT2 R May Set You Back $800,000
A 1997 Porsche 911 GT2 R, one of only ten produced that year, is to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby's Milan auction on May 22, 2025. The rare vehicle, estimated to fetch between $550,000 and $800,000, is an unfinished project with a chequered past.
Originally delivered in Glacier White to Dutch racer René Snel, the GT2 R met a regrettable end in August 1999 on the track at Assen. The car was totaled, but its chassis number was recycled into a new body. Snel campaigned the vehicle until the unfortunate incident, after which the car passed to Euro GT Series champion Klaus Abbelen and Frikadelli Racing founder.
Abbelen continued the racing legacy of the GT2 R, competing in events across iconic European circuits such as Monza, Hockenheim, and the Nürburgring from 2001 to 2005.
In 2014, the car landed with The Stuttgart Legends Collection via Freisinger Motorsport and underwent another rebuild, which, remarkably, remained uncompleted in 2017. A replacement chassis structure was welded from the front bulkhead forward, costing €20,885 ($23,000), but the project was abandoned inexplicably.
RM Sotheby's offers the vehicle "on its production number and without a chassis number, with no claims to its previous identity." The engine's type and origin remain unknown, and the interior is stripped bare with exposed wiring. Still, the sale includes BBS center-lock wheels, various body panels, and "myriad mechanical components." To obtain complete information about the parts required to bring the car back to life, one must consult an RM Sotheby's specialist.
The intrigue surrounding the GT2 R lies in its historical significance and rarity. Despite its incomplete state, the vehicle has already generated interest, with a properly restored 1996 model selling for $665,000 at Pebble Beach in 2022. Being eligible for prestigious historic racing series, such as Masters Endurance Legends and Peter Auto's Endurance Racing Legends, this unfinished project is an attractive prospect for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
However, it is essential to note that this project is not for the faint-hearted. Prospective buyers will require serious expertise, deep pockets, and likely an understanding partner who is accustomed to the associated financial and time commitments. For the right individual with the resources and passion to see the GT2 R through its final stages of restoration, this could be an extraordinary opportunity to resurrect one of Porsche's most visceral GT cars and continue its racing heritage.
Specification
- Model: Porsche 911 GT2 R
- Production: 1 of 10 built in 1997
- Original Color: Glacier White
- Current Condition: Unfinished restoration project
- Chassis Status: Replacement chassis welded from the front bulkhead forward
- Engine: Unknown type and origin
- Documentation: Period Wagenpass, Andy Prill inspection report
- Racing History: Raced by René Snel (1997-1999), Klaus Abbelen (2001-2005)
- Restoration Spent: €20,885 ($23K) in 2017 partial rebuild
- Included: BBS center-lock wheels, body panels, mechanical components
- Race Eligibility: Masters Endurance Legends, Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends
- Auction Date: May 22, 2025
Pricing & Availability
The auction will be conducted without reserve at RM Sotheby's Milan sale, with an estimate of €500,000-€700,000 ($550,000-$800,000).
- The 1997 Porsche 911 GT2 R, an unfinished restoration project, is set to be auctioned at RM Sotheby's Milan event on May 22, 2025, with an estimated selling price of $550,000 to $800,000.
- Originally delivered in Glacier White, the automotive gem was owned by Dutch racer René Snel before it met an unfortunate accident in August 1999.
- Over the following years, the GT2 R changed hands, with Euro GT Series champion Klaus Abbelen and Frikadelli Racing founder adding to its racing history from 2001 to 2005.
- The vehicle underwent a rebuild in 2014, costing €20,885 ($23,000), but the project was inexplicably abandoned partway, leaving the engine's type and origin unknown.
- Complete information about the parts needed to bring the car back to life can be obtained from an RM Sotheby's specialist, who will help prospective buyers navigate the complexities of its automotive lifestyle requirements.
- Despite its incomplete state, this rare motors treasure, with a chequered past, holds significant appeal for collectors due to its age, rarity, and racing history, as well as its eligibility for prestigious historical racing series such as Masters Endurance Legends and Peter Auto's Endurance Racing Legends.
