Minichamps Porsche 911 GT2 - "Recession Proof"

History

1995 Launch (911 GT2)

When the GT-revival happened in the early 1990's, Porsche was quick to create a customer car for the BPR series. In keeping with Porsche tradition, the GT2 was quick, reliable, and had excellent factory support. The GT2 designation refered to the class that this car would race in during the 1995 season.

All GT2's are easily recognized by the turbo inlet scoops on the rear wing, but there are other subtle differences. The best way to tell the different forms of 911 GT2 cars apart is by looking at the ground effects below the front bumper. This first batch of cars from 1995 had two wide openings that ran almost the entire width of the car.

While Vitesse made models of this 1995-spec car, Minichamps did not.

911 GT2 Evo (1995)

There was a variation called the 911 GT2 Evo that was designed for the GT1 classes in the BPR series and at Le Mans. This car featured even wider wheels and fenders than the "standard" GT2, and a rear wing that was higher. This version also has its own distict front end aerodynamic design. Unfortunately, these cars were no match for the Mclaren F1 GTR, so Porsche went on to make a "proper" GT1 car for the 1996 season.

Once again Vitesse made models of this 1995-spec car, and Minichamps did not. The Frankfurt Auto Show 'Arlequin' livery car is one of those that collectors should buy or avoid based on personal taste.

911 GT2 (1996-Spec)

With the increasing popularity of the BPR series and the GT classes at Le Mans, the Porsche GT2 became the car of choice for privateer teams. For 1996 there was another change to the front aerodynamics and rear wing. The front fenders have a distinct slanted rectangular vent before the front wheels. The rear wing is wider, and has end plates that extend forward.

911 GT2 (1997-Spec)

Porsche made its final revision to the front ground effects in 1997. This last iteration had a triangular vent before the front wheels. These cars would compete at Le Mans up until 1999, and for several years after that at the international level.

Minichamps Diecast

Minichamps made versions of the '1996' and '1997' spec cars. While the quality of these cars is generally good, the wheel and headlight details are a bit crude compared to modern standards. The Champion Porsche shown above has very complex graphics, which are all printed and applied very well.

These Minichamps cars are probably best known for how their value has increased over the years. Most cars regularly sell for over $100, and the "naked lady" car often sells for over twice that figure. While other models such as the McLaren F1 have fallen from their peak values, the 911 GT2 has bucked the trend and maintains its position in the marketplace. To capitalize on this demand, PMA issued the 1997-spec car as part of the "Homologation in Black" series for the lucrative Japanese market.

Minichamps Porsche 911 GT2
Place	Car Sponsor	Car # Class	Model	Ref. #	Image
Daytona 24 Hours 1996
54	Porsche 911 GT2 'STP' Hans-Joachim Stuck Bill Adam Thierry Boutsen	74 GTS-1	Minichamps	430 966774
Le Mans 1997
11	Porsche 911 GT2 'Jumbo' Manuel Mello-Breyner Pedro Mello-Breyner Tomas Mello-Breyner	73 GT2	Minichamps	430 976773
10	Porsche 911 GT2 'Navision' Bruno Eichmann Andy Pilgrim André Ahrlé	74 GT2	Minichamps	430 976774
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Chereau' Jean-Pierre Jarier Jean-Luc Chéreau Jack Leconte	77 GT2	Minichamps	430 976777
9	Porsche 911 GT2 'Tullies TBF' Michel Neugarten Jean-Claude Lagniez Guy Martinolle	78 GT2	Minichamps	430 976778
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'TSW' Michel Ligonnet Toni Seiler Larry Schumacher	79 GT2	Minichamps	430 976779
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Pulverlac' Enzo Calderari Lilian Bryner Angelo Zadra	84 GT2	Minichamps	430 976784
Daytona 24 Hours 1998
N/C	Porsche 911 GT2 'Notter'	97 GT2	Minichamps	430 986797
Le Mans 1998
20	Porsche 911 GT2 'Tullies TBF' Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiére Eric Graham Hervé Poulain	68 GT2	Minichamps	430 986768
Test	Porsche 911 GT2 'Playstation'	61 GT2	Minichamps	430 986760
Test	Porsche 911 GT2 'Navision'	65 GT2	Minichamps	430 986765
Le Mans 1999
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'FATurbo' Bourdais Pierre de Thoisy Jean-Pierre Jarier	67 GTS	Minichamps	430 996767
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'TSW' Wolfgang Kaufmann Michel Ligonnet Ernst Palmberger	61 GTS	Minichamps	430 996761

Vitesse/Onyx/Sunstar Diecast

Vitesse issued a staggering amount of models of all four types of 911 GT2. While they are less valuble than the Minichamps cars, there are many cars that are not available by any other manufacturer.

Vitesse Porsche 911 GT2
Place	Car Sponsor	Car # Class	Model	Ref. #	Image
V065 Series
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Repsol' Tomas Saldaña Miguel Ángel de Castro Alfonso de Orleans	91 GT2	Le Mans 1995	065A
	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Gitanes Blondes' Bob Wollek Jean-Pierre Jarier Christophe Bouchut	86	BPR Series 1995	065E
	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Blue Coral' John Morrison John Greasley	46 GT2	BPR Series 1995	065F
	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Star Card/STP' Anthony Reid Masahiko Kondou	35	Japan GT 1995	065G
L152 Series
54	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'STP' Hans-Joachim Stuck Bill Adam Thierry Boutsen NOTE: Incorrect bodystyle; Should be '1996'-spec	74 GTS-1	Daytona 1996	L152A
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 Evo ('1995'-spec) 'Chereau' Pierre Yver Jean-Luc Chereau Jack Leconte	55 GT1	Le Mans 1995	L152B
15	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Systar' Guy Kuster Karel Dolejší Peter Seikel	77 GT2	Le Mans 1995	L152C
16	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec) 'Sodimail' Eric van de Vyver Didier Ortion Jean-François Veroux	78 GT2	Le Mans 1995	L152D
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 Evo ('1995'-spec) '0123' Dominic Dupuy Stephane Ortelli Jurgen Barth	47 GT1	BPR Suzuka 1995	L152E
11	Porsche 911 GT2 'Shell' Peter Zbinden Uwe Sick	22	BPR Monza 1995	L152F
L162 Series (Show Cars)
	Porsche 911 GT2 ('1995'-spec)	95	Monza Test 1994	L162A
	Porsche 911 GT2 Evo ('1995'-spec)	23	Frankfurt Auto Show 1995	L162B
L167 Series (Le Mans 1996)
	Porsche 911 GT2 'Jumbo' Manuel Mello-Breyner Tomas Mello-Breyner Pedro Mello-Breyner	76	Le Mans Qualifying 1996	L167F

Le Mans 1997

When Vitesse reorganized their numbering system in 1998, the cars of the "L212" series were referred to by a different numbering scheme on the official web site. However these cars seem to be labeled with the earlier L212 designation in the marketplace.

Vitesse Porsche 911 GT2
Place	Car Sponsor	Car # Class	Model	Ref. #	Image
L212 Series (Le Mans 1997)
11	Porsche 911 GT2 'Jumbo' Manuel Mello-Breyner Pedro Mello-Breyner Tomas Mello-Breyner	73 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212A / V98019
10	Porsche 911 GT2 'Navision' Bruno Eichmann Andy Pilgrim André Ahrlé	74 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212B / V98020
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'FATurbo' Patrick Bourdais André Lara Resende Peter Kitchak	75 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212C / V98021
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Chereau' Jean-Pierre Jarier Jean-Luc Chéreau Jack Leconte	77 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212D / V98022
9	Porsche 911 GT2 'Tullies TBF' Michel Neugarten Jean-Claude Lagniez Guy Martinolle	78 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212E / V98023
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'TSW' Michel Ligonnet Toni Seiler Larry Schumacher	79 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212F / V98024
13	Porsche 911 GT2 'Auto Spiri' Claudia Hürtgen Hugh Price John Robinson	80 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212G / V98025
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Pulverlac' Enzo Calderari Lilian Bryner Angelo Zadra	84 GT2	Le Mans 1997	L212H / V98026

1998

Vitesse Porsche 911 GT2
Place	Car Sponsor	Car # Class	Model	Ref. #	Image
Le Mans 1998
22	Porsche 911 GT2 'Navison' André Ahrlé Robert Schirle David Warnock	65 GT2	Vitesse	V98120
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Chereau' Patrice Goueslard Pierre Yver Jean-Luc Chéreau	72 GT2	Vitesse	V98121
17	Porsche 911 GT2 'Navison' Claudia Hürtgen Michel Ligonnet Robert Nearn	64 GT2	Vitesse	V98122
18	Porsche 911 GT2 'Expovit' Michel Nourry Thierry Perrier Jean-Louis Ricci	69 GT2	Vitesse	V98123
20	Porsche 911 GT2 'Tullies TBF' Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiére Eric Graham Hervé Poulain	68 GT2	Le Mans 1998	V98124
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Giesse' Franz Konrad Nick Ham Larry Schumacher	70 GT2	Vitesse	V98125
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Star Air' John Morton John Graham Harald Grohs	62 GT2	Vitesse	V98126
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Montroit' Manuel Monteiro Michel Maisonneuve Michel Monteiro	71 GT2	Vitesse	V98127
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Charriol' Michel Neugarten David Smadja Jean-Claude Lagniez	67 GT2	Vitesse	V98172
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Playstation' Jean-Pierre Jarier Carl Rosenblad Robin Donovan	60 GT2	Vitesse	V98173
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'Divinol' Michael Trunk Ernst Palmberger Bernhard Müller	61 GT2	Vitesse	V98174
DNF	Porsche 911 GT2 'KWZ' Toni Seiler Peter Kitchak Angelo Zadra	73 GT2	Vitesse	V98175

Onyx Porsche 911 GT2

When Vitesse re-organized its brands for 1999, the moulds were used for the Onyx label. More recently, these same moulds have been re-used to make GT2 models under the "SunStar" Label.

For some odd reason, the reference number "XLM023" was initially skipped, and the model that would logically have been issued as that was put out later as "XLM023B".

The final two 911 GT2 Porsches from the year 2000 Le Mans race were planned but never issued. Vitesse group went in to bankruptcy, and the IXO brand was launched.

Spark/Ebbro/HPI?

Many collectors live in fear of superior models being issued by a new make. Right before the recent economic crisis hit, there was a flurry of releases of Porsche 935's that flooded the market. It would not be out of the question for a similar situation with the GT2, as one set of tooling could bring in much revenue in the form of many variations.