AutoArt 1:18 Porsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup (AUTOart Edition) Ltd Ed.of 2000 pcs.

This is an interesting companion piece to the already reviewed Infineon GT3 Carrera Cup car. I'll forego the history and specs of the Porsche 911 type 996 GT3 and focus on this GT3R variant.

This model has been modified to conform to American Le Mans Series specifications as well as the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge sponsored by Michelin with the strong support of Porsche Motorsport of North America. The original concept of the ALMS events was to bring purpose-built Le Mans cars to the North American market. The GT3 Cup Challenge provides venues for "semi-professional and gentlemen drivers" to compete with organizations like the ALMS. The Cup cars were limited to the 996 and currently the 997 platforms. Considering these cars are factory built for the sports car racing enthusiast, it looks like a win-win for all parties.

The boys at AUTOart probably had some fun designing this little vanity car / rolling billboard. Beyond the obvious AUTOart livery, there are some cute little touches and a surprising ommission. Just above the IMSA nose there are new hood fastener castings also found "locking" the deck lid. The finely scribed clear headlamp surrounds are interrupted by twin gun ports that replace the inboard driving lamps. Different side sills carry the flared wheel wells give the car mere inches of ground clearance. The split center exhaust has been replaced with separate exhausts and the mufflers from each of the equal-length headers necessitate a new bumper with semilunar cutouts for the mildly trumpeted chromed tips. The normally aspirated boxster engine sports a chromed trumpet instead of the usual air cleaner.

The wheels are red labeled "BBS" with gold-toned spokes set off by chromed rims. The Porsche calipers are replaced with Brembo units and, oddly, the tires are unmarked where you would have expected the Michelin marque. There's gotta be a story there. Also missing are the gilled vented quarter windows. I'm not sure what that's about, but it should bring the driver's body temperature to a medium rare. Flip the model over and there appears to be an entirely new transaxle along with minor suspension differences.

This is another slick, well crafted and contented model and a great example of the ALMS-IMSA variant. As far as the livery goes, put a positive spin on it. No matter how long this model hangs on your shelf, you'll always remember who made it.

New News  ·  List & Reviews  ·  Legacy Motors  ·  Auctions  ·  Forums  ·  Polls  ·  Features  ·  Register  ·  FAQs  ·  Clubs

Copyright © 2008 Gennera Knab and Diecast Zone