A rare 1997 Porsche 911 GT2 R, one of just 10 built that year, is set to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Milan auction on May 22, despite being offered as an unfinished project.
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The stripped-down 993-generation GT2 R has a storied past. Originally delivered to Dutch racer René Snel, the white Porsche was crashed in 1999 before being rebuilt and returned to competition in 2001. It saw action at legendary tracks including Monza, Hockenheim and the Nürburgring, later changing hands in 2011. Another restoration began in 2017, with more than €20,000 ($23,000) invested, but that effort stalled, leaving the car incomplete.
According to RM Sotheby’s, the car will be sold without a chassis number and carries “no claims to its previous identity.” It currently features an unidentified engine and requires significant work to be made track-ready again. Photos reveal a bare interior missing gauges, upholstery and key components, though the car will include a steering wheel, body panels, an additional set of wheels and other parts.
Despite its unfinished state, RM Sotheby’s expects strong interest, estimating a sale price between €500,000 and €700,000 ($550,000 to $800,000). The auction house noted the car could be rebuilt to period-correct specifications, making it eligible for historic endurance racing events such as Masters Endurance Legends and Peter Auto’s Endurance Racing Legends.
Experts suggest that while the project could tempt ambitious privateers, the Porsche’s rarity and potential future value make it more likely to land in the hands of a specialist restoration shop. As one of the rarest racing variants of the air-cooled 911 era, its unfinished condition is unlikely to deter collectors seeking a unique entry into Porsche’s motorsport legacy.
Would you take on this unfinished GT2 R project, or leave it to the pros in Stuttgart?
