A tribute to UK heritage
Porsche Unveils Exclusive 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition Marking UK's 75th Anniversary
Key Points
Porsche said the special edition was developed by “Porsche Cars GB and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur,” rather than being handled solely by the main GT3 program.
The bespoke “Earls Court Green” paint was created exclusively for this model through Porsche’s “Paint to Sample Plus” programme, drawing inspiration from one of the first 356 coupes displayed at Earls Court in 1951.
Beyond the silver exterior trim, Porsche specified the wheels as 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) alloys in a two-tone green-and-silver finish, and added illuminated door sill plates with the “GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition” branding.
Porsche also included a rear-grille commemorative element inspired by Reutter, the coachbuilder that produced bodies for early Porsche 356 models—adding a deeper layer of historical nods beyond just the Earls Court 1951 reference.
Inside, Porsche detailed additional heritage finishes: green piping on the seats, an embossed Union Jack motif on the sun visors, and a “356 silhouette” embossed into the dashboard trim (plus “Earls Court 51” logos on the headrests).
Porsche has unveiled the 911 GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition, a 51-unit UK exclusive celebrating 75 years of the brand in Britain. The car is priced at £251,951 — a number that mirrors both the "51" theme and the year Porsche first appeared on British soil — making it the most expensive 911 currently on sale in the UK, according to What Car.
Based on the 911 GT3 Touring, the special edition pays tribute to the Porsche 356 that debuted at the 1951 Earls Court Motor Show in London. It gets a bespoke "Earls Court Green" paint finish, heritage-inspired interior details, and the same 510 hp naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine found in the standard car. Its first public appearance is set for Silverstone on June 20–21, Rush Magazine reports.
A 1951 Motor Show Moment Brought Back to Life
Porsche made its British debut at the 35th International Motor Show at Earls Court in October 1951. Two Porsche 356 models were on display: a split-windshield Coupé and a Cabriolet. That moment proved pivotal. The UK is now Porsche's second-largest European market and third-largest globally, according to The Supercar Blog.
The new special edition directly references that debut. Its "Earls Court Green" metallic paint was created through Porsche's "Paint to Sample Plus" programme — a process that goes beyond standard colour matching to recreate a specific historical pigment. Porsche historians used archival records to match the shade to the original 1951 display car, Cars UK notes.
Every Detail Designed to Echo the Original 356
The exterior pairs Earls Court Green paint with silver mirror caps, door handles, and a bonnet stripe. The 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloys come in a two-tone green-and-silver finish. A rear-grille badge draws on the legacy of Reutter — the coachbuilder that made bodies for early 356 models — adding a deeper historical layer beyond the Earls Court reference alone, according to AutoSpies.
Inside, Porsche mixed green-and-beige leather with corduroy upholstery and wood trim — unusual choices for a GT3, which typically features carbon fibre and Alcantara. Porsche added green seat piping, a 356 silhouette embossed into the dashboard, a Union Jack motif on the sun visors, and "Earls Court 51 Edition" branding on the headrests and illuminated door sill plates. A Porsche Cars GB spokesperson called it "a love letter to our British heritage."
510 Horsepower, Manual Gearbox Available, No Turbos
Performance stays true to the standard GT3 formula. The 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six produces 510 hp. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or Porsche's seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. The PDK version hits 0–62 mph in 3.4 seconds. The manual takes 3.9 seconds — a trade-off many purists will gladly accept, per The Supercar Blog.
The car was developed jointly by Porsche Cars GB and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur — Porsche's in-house customisation division in Zuffenhausen. By routing the project through the regional UK office rather than the main GT3 programme, Porsche signals a broader shift toward localised, market-specific limited runs, Cars UK reports.
£251,951 Price Tag and a Booming Secondary Market
At £251,951, the Earls Court 51 Edition costs roughly 45% more than a base GT3 Touring, putting it in the same price bracket as the 911 S/T. All 51 units were reportedly offered by invitation only to long-standing UK brand ambassadors. Total revenue from the run will exceed £12.8 million, according to the live research briefing.
Analysts expect the secondary market to push prices above £400,000 soon after delivery begins in Q3 2026. The wood trim and beige leather have split opinion among enthusiasts. EVO Magazine contributors argue the GT3 name should mean "race car for the road" — not walnut and corduroy. But Top Gear contributors noted the cabin "successfully evokes the gentleman racer spirit of the 1950s" — a jarring but effective tribute.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
15
Articles
3
Reach
18
