Yes, it is possible to buy and register a new stickshift 911 GT3 in California.
Porsche showcased the subtle version its hot 911GT3 on June 15. The GT3 Touring package brings all the thrills of the fast 911 but without the visual pop. However, a strange bombshell was included in the debut. Porsche could not sell new GT3 models in California due to red tape. However, only was available for those equipped with an old-school three pedal manual transmission.
It was just as absurd as any other. And it is possible that California officials were not prepared for the media attention. Porsche has confirmed that it has reached a deal with California and that the new GT3 will be made available to California dealers in a statement sent Motor1.com.
California was using an outdated test from the Society of Automotive Engineers, and had not yet switched to the new one. Porsche pulled the plug on the manual-equipped 911 GT3 GT3 because it was not legal to register without passing the tests.
Here’s Porsche’s complete statement:
Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), after consulting with California authorities, is happy to confirm that dealers will be able sell the new 911 GT3 equipped with a six speed manual gearbox. This means that the cars can legally be registered and driven in all 50 States when they arrive in the autumn. California Highway Patrol and California DMV have worked hard to come up with a solution. This has helped us to determine the best regulatory pathway forward.
California Highway Patrol sent a notice to Porsche Cars North America on June 11th, stating that the existing test procedure (SAEJ1470) from March 1992 was outdated but could not identify a procedure to allow Porsche to test their new 911 GT3 equipped in a manual transmission using the current test procedure (SAEJ2805, May 2020).
We continued to talk with regulators, but we were unable to find a solution. So we made the difficult decision to notify dealers that the manual option would not be available in California as there was no legal way to register cars in California. This was communicated on June 15, which coincided with the announcement of the 911 GT3 Touring package.
PCNA would like to thank California DMV, California Highway, for being responsive and helping to find the right regulatory path. The 911 GT3 will arrive in the US this fall. It will join 16 other Porsche model variants that can be specified with three pedals. ”
We don’t know if this was a frustrating bureaucratic stumblingblock or something more. But we are certain that Porsche enthusiasts in California will be happy to hear this news and row six cogs with the new 911 GT3 this year.