The 991-generation Porsche 911 R evolved from the 911 GT3 RS, one of the manufacturer’s most beloved creations. A lightweight, track-ready, street-legal beast, the 997-generation GT3 RS was the ultimate driver’s 911 of its era, and the car to which all modern 911 owners aspired. Only offered with a six-speed manual transmission, it held out against the ever-increasing popularity of paddle-shifted automated manual transmissions in the latest supercars, including Porsche’s own well-engineered Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK transmission.

With the subsequent 991-chassis GT3 RS, Porsche essentially kept the same formula—but in the interest of ultimate performance, the company replaced the beloved manual transmission with the PDK, leaving no option for a traditional manual at all. Porsche’s rationale was clear as there was no denying the superiority of the PDK on the track, with lightning-quick shift times and smooth gear changes. But the purists made their displeasure vociferously known.

Porsche heeded its customers’ requests and in short order released a limited-edition 911 with the GT3 RS drivetrain but fitted with a manual transmission. Dubbed the 911 R, it was introduced at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Mechanically similar to the GT3 RS and lacking the massive rear wing for a more subdued aesthetic, it carried a different ethos, with numerous changes to its suspension and steering. These, along with the six-speed manual gearbox, meant that the 911 R would not be defined by the fastest possible lap time, but rather, by creating the purest, most enjoyable driving experience possible. Fittingly, Porsche produced only 991 examples of the 911 R (mirroring its chassis designation), all for the 2016 model year, prompting a feverish demand that persists to this day.

The example offered here was delivered new to Carlsen Porsche of Redwood City, California and is remarkable for being in practically new condition, replete with factory window stickers still in place and showing an astoundingly low 28 miles on the odometer at cataloguing time. Finished in what is perhaps the most iconic of all liveries for the model, white with red racing stipes, the interior was furnished with numerous extra-cost upgrades from the factory, including Black leather upholstery with contrast stitching in GT Silver throughout, including on the doors and dashboard. Carrying a manufacturer suggested retail price of a breathtaking $213,935 when new, this 911 R was outfitted with no less than $26,685 in factory options, including a single-mass flywheel with reinforced clutch, extended-range fuel tank, air conditioning, Light Design Package, Sport Chrono Package, carbon-fiber-look floormats with leather edging, side stripes with Porsche scripts in red, Deviated Stitching Interior Package, auto-dimming mirrors with integrated rain sensor, LED headlights in black with Porsche Dynamic Light System, carbon fiber mirror trim and door-sill guards, and aluminum-look fuel cap. Notably, the car was also specified with the radio-delete option, emphasizing the singular intent of this high-performance machine.

In September 2022, the car was professionally serviced, having its oil replaced and the brake fluid flushed. The rear hood struts were also replaced at this time, along with the front lip spoiler. Showing in practically the same condition as when it left the factory and equipped with a staggering list of desirable options, this remarkable 911 R is surely one of the best examples to come to market and will deservedly attract interest far and wide from the Porsche faithful who understand just how special this ultimate driver’s car truly is. In a digital age where most everything gets filtered through electronics, the 911 R remains one of the last bastions of pure, visceral driving ethos.