2004 NOBLE M12 GTO-3R - 6,846 MILES

This Noble M12 GTO-3R is a rare British sports car, boasting supercar-baiting pace and lightweight track car handling, and which has had just one private owner from new. Mounted amidships is a Ford-sourced 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, producing 352bhp and 350lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and Quaife torque-biasing differential. The odometer shows just 6,846 miles.

While the Noble is rightly regarded for its incredible handling, its outright pace is also seriously impressive. With a stated kerb weight of just 1,080kg, the GTO-3R’s quoted 0-60mph time is just 3.7 seconds, and Road & Track magazine timed it as being even quicker.

Among Noble’s many fans in period was Jeremy Clarkson, who famously used a Star Wars analogy in his road test of the 2.5-litre version of the M12, stating: “It doesn’t feel like the steering wheel is connected to the tyres by anything so mundane as mechanics or engineering - it’s like driving using the Force.”

This particular car was first registered on 5 January 2004, and has just one owner from new. It remains in its original and unmodified factory specification, finished in Azure Blue with black and Titan grey interior trim.

The bodywork remains in very good order, with flush shut lines and even panel gaps. Its blue paint is understood to have had some sections resprayed in the past, but the vendor notes that any such work was rectified by the factory rather than another body shop. Today, it benefits from an application of paint protection film, which is reported to have some light stone chipping on the surface. It rides on the original split-rim alloy wheels, which are in great shape.

In the cabin, the lightweight bucket seats are upholstered in a mix of black and grey leather. There is some prominent wear on the driver’s outer bolster shoulder rest, though this could quite easily be improved by some professional re-connolising of the surface. The centre panels are perforated and present well, while the black and grey theme extends to the door panels and transmission tunnel. Real metal is used for the door furniture, handbrake grip and gear knob, giving the car a feeling of quality and solidity. The three-spoke Momo steering wheel features carbon-fibre trim. Factory-fitted equipment includes air-conditioning and push-button start, and there are no known electrical faults.

The vendor states that oil, brake fluid and coolant changes have been carried out more frequently, but the last main service on file was in April 2008 at 5,062 miles by the Murray Motor Company in Edinburgh. Prior to this, it was also serviced in January 2006 at 3,312 miles at the Noble factory, and in January 2005 at 2,258 miles by MV Turbos in Kinross.

The most recent MOT test was on 1 October 2020 at 6,793 miles, when it achieved a first-time pass with no advisories or defects. The car has had six MOT tests over the last 13 years, but it has covered just 1,800 miles in that time. All four Bridgestone tyres are reported to have around 6mm of tread remaining.

Accompanying the car is the original book pack including the maintenance record, original bill of sale, previous MOT certificates, the original factory brochure, spare key with alarm documents, Sony radio instruction manual, and a number of old service invoices.

This Noble M12 GTO-3R is a superb example of a critically acclaimed lightweight sports car; one which was renowned as a giant-killer in period, and which is no less exciting today. Using robust mechanicals as a basis for its powertrain, the Noble is a sensational driver’s car that comes without the costly foibles typically found among exotica with similar performance. This particular car has been sparingly used and carefully dry stored whenever not out on the road. It now presents in excellent condition ready for many more miles with its next enthusiast owner, who can choose to enhance the car if they so wish or leave as an unmodified factory example.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history where available. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.