The Porsche 911 GT3 is still one of the greatest sports car models ever made, and the latest is even quicker than the old GT3 RS. Today, Porsche revealed the Touring specification, which removes the wing and adds a few classy grand tourer touches, and like the regular version, it's available with both a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic as standard or with a six-speed manual. This option is predicted to be highly sought after by Porsche customers, but sadly, not every American buyer will have access to it. This was learned during the reveal of the GT3 Touring, in which Porsche said that manual GT3s don't meet the noise limits detailed in California's Code of Regulations.

But why only tell us about this now? Orders for the GT3 opened a while back, and it's highly likely that some customers will hail from the Golden State. Well, Porsche says that it has only just been informed of the issue, so it's too late to make any changes. Those who live in California and have already placed their orders for a manual GT3 will be contacted by dealers and given the option to switch back to the PDK. Fortunately, it's not a permanent problem.

Porsche says that California's Code of Regulations (CCR) references the SAW's test procedure J1470 for exterior noise criteria, and this was last revised in 1998. A new standard, J2805, exists now, and it seems that Porsche expected the new regulations to be in effect before the GT3 went on sale. Until they are, the car is illegal.

Porsche went on to say that it is working with California State Highway Patrol to find a solution, but there's no estimate on when that may be. The regulation issue is clearly a very small detail that the 911 GT3 doesn't quite meet because the car adheres to the older rule but not the newer one that is only a slight revision. We can only imagine how difficult it must be to build your dream 911, spec it to your exact tastes, and then wait for details on the build and when it is expected to arrive, only for you to learn that you can't even drive your car in your home state. Hopefully, the problem is resolved soon.