YouTuber Danny Z achieves his childhood dream of owning a Porsche 911 by salvaging this old 996 from Copart
by Amrit Balraj on June 18, 2024, 08:00YouTuber Danny Z recently bought the cheapest 996 911 in the United States. After an intense bidding battle on Copart auctions where he lost out on some potential gems, he finally got his 1999 996, which was missing most of the front end, including the bumper, the hood, and the headlights. It ended up costing him just $10,000 to acquire. However, the car required a ton of work before it would be back on the road, but it was work that Danny was willing to do gladly.
The Porsche 996 (1997-2005) marked a turning point for the iconic German sports car. It was the first completely redesigned 911, featuring a water-cooled flat-six engine instead of the traditional air-cooled design. This change improved emissions and performance, with base models offering around 300 horsepower. While initially controversial for its new powertrain and looks, the fried-egg 996 offered a more refined driving experience and laid the groundwork for future 911 generations.
- The 996 was the first model of 911 to come with water-cooled engines, previous generation cars were all air-cooled.
- The Porsche 996 was controversial due to its fried-egg design that came with halogen headlamps as stock, with Porsche later switching them to Xenon headlamps, around 2001.
- The Millenium edition was a limited production special edition 911 Carrera 4 Coupé created to commemorate the new Millennium.
- FR Bodystyling is a specialist body kit manufacturer based out of Portugal, they make high-end kits for every brand.
The Controversial And Unloved 996 Was Ahead Of Its Time
The 996 wasn’t just about the engine. It boasted a sleeker, more aerodynamic design compared to previous models with integrated side mirrors and a larger interior. While purists missed the air-cooled growl, the water-cooled engine offered significant advantages. It ran quieter, provided better weight distribution, and offered more power options.
Higher-performance variants like the GT2 and GT3 pushed the boundaries with lightweight construction, aggressive aerodynamics, and well over 400 horsepower. Porsche used high-strength steel and galvanized sheet metal to create a sturdier bodyshell for improved stiffness.
However, the 996 wasn’t without its faults. Some early models experienced IMS bearing issues, which could lead to engine failure. Additionally, the use of shared parts with the more affordable Boxster irked some Porsche purists. Despite these challenges, the 996 has become a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking a powerful, and refined sports car at an affordable price.
Interestingly it was the turn of the millennium and to commemorate it, that a special millennium edition 911 Carrera 4 Coupé was released. Production of this special edition car was limited to 911 units and the only color choice was called "Violet Chroma Flair"
1999 Porsche 911 (996) | ||
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Engine | Water-cooled, 3.4-liter NA Flat-six engine | |
Horsepower | 298 horsepower | |
Torque | 250 lb-ft | |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/Triptronic automatic transmission | |
Drivetrain | RWD(Later offered with AWD) | |
0-60 MPH | 5.0 Seconds | |
Top Speed | 174 MPH(Manual), 171 (Automatic) | |
Weight | 2,904 lbs | |
Starting MSRP | $70,480 |
Danny 996 Required A Lot Of Work Before It Could Get Back On The Road
As previously stated, this 996 required extensive repairs before it could be restored to its former glory. The full list of repairs undertaken by Danny included:
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New Litronic xenon headlamps: The Porsche 996 came with halogen lights as stock, Porsche gave the option for Litronic xenon lights later. These lights are pretty easy to install and come with plug-and-play functionality. New units can cost well north of $1,000, but retro-fit models can cost between $500-$600.
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Next on the list were a new black trunk liner, plastic cover for the master cylinder, and rubber weather strip which would prevent the seepage of water into the "frunk" of the 996. This installation made the hood line up to the body as well, making it a satisfactory fit.
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A new GT3-inspired body kit, which was sourced from FR Bodystyling based out of Portugal, manufacturers of all types of aftermarket body kits. The kit consisted of a new aggressive front fender, side skirts, rear bumper, and a massive wing all of which cost around 192 Euro ($205), with the wing being the most expensive at 640 Euro ($686). The fitting of the kit was not easy, and it involved the removal of some parts to ensure proper fitment. To affix the front and back bumpers, unfortunately, the bash bars had to be sacrificed. The next stock part to be axed was the active aero rear wing which had to be replaced with the fixed GT3 wing. The side skirts were a relatively easy fix, but Danny ended up using panel bonding to secure them. He also had them painted in glossy black along with the hood and side panels to make the final appearance of the car simply striking.
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Some preventative maintenance in the form of an oil change, as well as a new oil filter. From the condition of the spent oil, we could conclude that the engine of the car is healthy.
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The final flourish was the addition of the Porsche badge to the hood, which brought everything together for the GT3-inspired 996.
The result of all these modifications is simply spectacular with Danny’s diligence and attention to detail paying off to create a special project car. The 996 looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Danny has some more work in mind before the project is complete, namely a better set of wheels and a new color. We cannot wait to see how far his imagination takes the build. Watch this space.
Amrit Balraj
When not reading up or watching videos about obscure and rare automobiles, Amrit spends his free time planning imaginary road trips on some of the best driving roads in the world, preferably in an old truck with a motorcycle strapped to the bed. Read full bio