'996' is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1998 and 2005 and its arrival in early 1998 was not without controversy. It was water-cooled, the most significant change to the 911 since its 1963 introduction, a change forced upon Porsche by progressively stringent noise regulations, environmental concerns, a higher expectation for refinement and a high-performance, four-valve per cylinder engine that needed to be properly cooled. Other changes included a sleeker body with a more steeply raked windshield and a redesigned interior. The performance characteristics remained superb and in fact, looking back, the pre-facelift 996 was the lightest of all water-cooled 911 variants including the 996 GT3 which weighed 35kg more. Its 3.4-litre, 300bhp flat-six was mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the two-wheel drive C2 is widely considered to be the purest 996.

This beautiful, rear-wheel drive, first generation 996 Carrera C2 was supplied new by Isaac Agnew Ltd, finished in Arctic Silver Metallic with full black leather and optioned with 18" technology wheels, a sound system and CD storage.

It was purchased by our vendor in 2004 having had two previous owners and appears to have always ben cared for judging by the full history in the service records. Recent entries include a service by Porsche Brooklands in September last year @ £1,800. Porsche Brooklands 2022 @ £1,800, Porsche Guildford  2021 @ £800, Porsche Guildford 2019 @ £2,770, Porsche Guildford 2018 @ £1,000, Porsche Guildford 2017 @ £2,070 and Porsche Guildford 2016 @ £1,260.

The indicated mileage at the time of photography was 113,541 and the car is accompanied by older MOTs back to 2005, its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, the original Porsche book pack and two keys. This is a much loved example that still presents very well and excitingly is on offer without Reserve.