Porsche rarely needs much excuse to create another special-edition 911. Yet unlike many heritage-themed commemorative models, the new GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition celebrates a distinctly British chapter of the marque’s history – the arrival of the first Porsche in Britain at the 1951 Earls Court Motor Show.

Just 51 examples will be built, based on the GT3 Touring. Given Porsche’s well-documented affection for green paint, it was perhaps inevitable that the design team would take inspiration from one of the dark green 356 coupes displayed 75 years ago. As with the 911 GT3 90 Years F. A. Porsche special edition, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has created a bespoke Paint to Sample colour for the project: Earls Court Green metallic.

Mercifully, Porsche has resisted the temptation to smother the car in commemorative graphics. The detailing instead mirrors the brightwork of the 356, with a metallic silver teardrop accent around the bonnet crest, matching door mirrors, and the inner barrels of the forged alloy wheels finished in Earls Court Green. A subtle Reutter-inspired badge also resides on the rear engine grille in tribute to the coachbuilder of the 356.

Inside, Night Green and Chalk Beige leather trim is paired with corduroy seat inserts, while Paldao wood appears across the dashboard, centre console and, of course, the gear lever. Other bespoke touches include Union Jack motifs embossed into the sun visors and an Earls Court 51 logo stitched into the headrests.

The powertrain and suspension are untouched, although the near £94,000 premium over a regular GT3 Touring does include a bespoke Porsche Design Chronograph 1, a Night Green leather Weekender bag, a 1:18 scale model and a commemorative book chronicling the car’s development. Curiously, while Porsche has fixed the seat specification to the 18-way adjustables in deference to the 356, buyers remain free to specify PDK at no extra cost.

The GT3 Earls Court 51 Edition isn’t the only car commemorating 75 years of Porsche GB. A 1951 356 coupe – known within the Porsche community as the ex-Betty Haig car, and a fixture at the Reading HQ and Silverstone Experience Centre for many years – has undergone a factory recommission by Manufaktur Sonderwunsch Classic, emerging in matching Earls Court Green metallic.

Originally silver with a red leatherette interior, the left-hand drive coupe was imported to Britain by a US serviceman in the 1950s before coming into Porsche GB’s care in the 1970s. The restoration preserves the original running gear while introducing styling elements shared with the GT3, including Chalk Beige leather, corduroy trim, Paldao wood detailing and matching Earls Court Green paintwork. Even the period Becker Monza radio remains, albeit discreetly updated with an aux connection.

The GT3 is, however, the only one going on sale. Priced from £251,951, the Earls Court 51 Edition will make its public debut during Porsche’s 75th anniversary celebrations at Silverstone on 20–21 June.