Porsche, by the mid-1990s, had developed a reputation for high-performance, all-wheel-drive sports cars following its revolutionary 959 a decade prior. GT2 competition, however, specifically barred racing cars that sent power to all four corners. To a degree, this was Porsche’s own doing since the racing version of the company’s 959, the 961, had proven to be so successful.

Engineers in Zuffenhausen knew that they could capitalize on the 993-generation 911’s highly evolved suspension and robust twin-turbocharged flat six-cylinder engine even while reverting to rear-wheel drive to appease GT2 rulebooks. The result was the 911 GT2, the highest-performance version of the last of Porsche’s air-cooled cars.

The standard 993 that went into production in early 1994 featured a new multi-link coil suspension that finally put to rest the lift-off oversteer that had plagued the company’s sports car for decades. A new six-speed manual transmission added a gear to the outgoing 964’s five-speed, and while the two shared interior trim, front deck lids and roof panels, that’s about where the similarities ended. The 993 was a far superior, more rewarding car to drive.

A year later, the 911 Turbo bowed with a twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine, and a massive fixed rear spoiler, but it diverged from its boosted predecessors by putting power to all four wheels. It would be easy to write the 911 GT2 off as a rear-drive 911 Turbo, but that is hardly the case. Its doors and front deck lid were composed of aluminium and wider fenders that could be removed and replaced quickly during competition wrapped around its bespoke wheels. A massive bi-plane rear spoiler incorporated functional air ducts to feed its uprated intercoolers and KKK turbochargers, which helped the 3.6-litre flat-six produce 480 hp in race specification.

The GT2 saw success in sports car racing, particularly in the U.S. Pompano Beach, Florida, dealer Champion Porsche campaigned a 911 GT2 in the now-famous DayGlo paint scheme that was a force to be reckoned with when the likes of Hans Stuck Jr, Derek Bell and Thierry Boutsen were behind the wheel.

In accordance with homologation rules, Porsche built a limited number of street-specification versions for public consumption. Running on pump fuel, they produced 430 hp and had a handful of creature comforts inside but otherwise largely mirrored the race cars that performed so well on the track. The cars were initially marketed by Porsche as the 911 GT, but quickly became known as the GT2.

Inside, the 911 GT2 did without its Turbo sibling’s dressy, luxurious interior, but it was not quite race car-basic, either. Hard-shell sports seats, RS-specification door cards and a rear-seat delete kept it looking properly spartan. The weight-savings measures trimmed 500 lbs.

The silver 911 GT2 is offered here for the first time since being delivered new, having spent its entire life in the hands of just one caring owner. It retains its factory appearance, including its distinctive fender flares, its two-tier fixed spoiler and its wide alloy wheels. Delivered to 430 bhp specifications in 1996, the engine was upgraded to produce 450 bhp in 1998 by Porsche Zentrum MAHAG in Munich, the same dealer that delivered it new. Inside, its black and grey leather-covered two-tone fixed sports seats show limited wear, commensurate with the 136,000 km shown on its odometer. Red seatbelts and a red-embroidered GT2 cover over where the standard 911 Turbo’s rear seats added some visual flair to its otherwise business-like interior.

Highly original throughout, the car retains all of its original paint except for the right rear fender, which was repainted. The car is accompanied by an assortment of invoices and documentation pertaining to its history, as well as its original warranty book and original keys. Its last service was undertaken at Porsche Zetrum 5 Seen in April of this year at 135,748 km. Further recent service work includes the most recent previous service, also undertaken at 133,562 km in May of 2013, a gearbox rebuilt at 120,897 km in 2005 and an engine rebuild at 93,502 km in 2003, all of which were carried out by Porsche Zetrum 5 Seen.

This well-preserved 911 GT2 looks as new outside and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.