Porsche Speedster models

In the wake of the market launch of the 911 (991.2) Speedster, Porsche looks back on the history of these radically open models. It all began in 1952 with the request from US importer Max Hoffmann, who asked for a cheaper entry-level model of the 356 for the American customers. Previously, Porsche had developed the 356 America Roadster with a 70-hp four-cylinder boxer engine and a stand-alone aluminium body including plug-in side windows and an emergency roof, which was sent over to the US. Due to the technical and visual changes, this model was significantly more expensive than a normal 356 as a Coupé or Cabriolet, which limited the distribution to only 16 copies. So you know where the request of Max Hoffmann came from. He saw the potential of a weight-reduced 356 for the popular club sport races, but with an attractive price tag compared to competitors like the Triumph TR2, Austin-Healey or Jaguar XK120.

Porsche 356 Speedster

1954 saw the premiere of the 356 Speedster with the steel body of the Cabriolet, flatter windshield, emergency roof and slimmed-down interior for an entry price of $ 2,995. Especially in the sunny coastal states, it rapidly became a sales success with sports drivers and some VIPs. One of the most prominent owners was probably the actor James Dean, who discovered his love for Porsche with a Speedster and later tragically died in a 550 Spyder. Over the years, various engine variants followed up to the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster with a 110 hp engine with vertical main shaft and for the first time in Porsche history a topspeed of 200 kph (124 mph). Funny fact: today the Speedster belongs to the most expensive 356 models on the classic car market.

Porsche 911 Speedster

It took a good 30 years before Porsche revived the model name Speedster. In 1987, at the IAA in Frankfurt, the 911 Speedster Clubsport was shown as a concept car without windows and roof, but with a large plastic cover over the interior, which provided only one opening for the driver. Officially, this cover actually made it into the special equipment list for the production vehicle offered two years later. Whether, however, customers really ordered this option, eludes our knowledge. The normal 911 Speedster, on the other hand, showed, like the legendary original, a shortened windshield and an emergency roof that disappeared behind the seats under a cover specially designed for this model. In the rear sits the 231-hp six-cylinder boxer engine from the Carrera 3.2. Of the 2,103 units produced, 161 received the slim Carrera body, while the others were ordered by the customers in the ‘Werks-Turbo-Look’ (factory turbo look, WTL). The original price was 110,000 Deutschmark.

Porsche 911 (964) Speedster

It didn’t take another 30 years to the successor, but only three. On the basis of the 964 series, the new Speedster rolled off the lines in 1992 and 1993 exactly 945 times, with only 15 carrying the wide WTL bodywork. Compared to the visually very similar looking predecessor, the top mechanism and the locking of the roof canvas had been revised. Inside, the bucket seats showed the respective body color on the rear, while the normal equipment levels of the 964 such as air conditioning, power windows and initially also the driver’s airbag were deleted. Late copies received the airbag on request. Pricing for the Speedster started at 131,500 Deutschmark.

Porsche 911 (993) Speedster

The rarest representative of the Speedster history belongs to the 993 series. In 1995, the only genuine 993 Speedster was produced at the factory as a birthday present for Ferdinand Alexander ‘Butzi’ Porsche. This dark green painted vehicle is today part of the collection of the Porsche Museum and shown on special occasions. Five years later, US comedian Jerry Seinfeld sent his two-years old Cabriolet back to the factory to be converted into a Speedster, which took about a year. Porsche officially ranks this car as number two of two, although in fact it is just as much a conversion as about 30 other vehicles worldwide, that have been visually transformed into a 993 Speedster on behalf of their owners based on 964 and 993 cars.

Porsche 911 (997) Speedster

In 2010 the next 911 Speedster appeared, which was officially available through the dealer network. However, only a limited edition of 356 copies were offered, originally only available in ‘Pure Blue’ and ‘Carrara White’. Finally there were also some copies in Paint To Sample colors like black, yellow, red or purple. The windscreen was lowered by 60 millimeters compared to the Cabriolet with a stronger inclination. In its upper frame the manually operated, narrow-cut fabric top was hooked. The Speedster based on the 997 series celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. For this, the 3.8-liter boxer engine in the rear received the factory power kit (Werksleistungssteigerung) with 408 hp. New this Speedster was available from 201,682 € in Germany.

Porsche 911 (991.2) Speedster

Just in time for the celebration of 70 years of Porsche last summer, the sports car brand from Zuffenhausen presented a concept car for a new Speedster based on the facelifted 991 series. About a month ago, finally they also showed the production version, the last offshoot of the 991.2 series will sent this car with dignity into retirement, while in parallel already the new 992 series roll off the production lines. This new 911 Speedster receives the engine and gearbox from the GT3 and is also available in a special Heritage livery, which is reminiscent of the 356 Speedster used in races. This closes the circle back to the year 1954. Meanwhile, the number of limitations indicates the year Porsche was founded: 1,948 copies are to be created.

Images: Porsche