Crossing the block at the upcoming 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28 at WestWorld, it is yet another can’t-miss opportunity for committed collectors everywhere.
Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens
Ever since the “Speedster” nameplate was first applied to a Porsche in 1954, it has defined the company’s most adventurous and engaging road models ever since. Stripped of all but the most basic amenities and built to a price just below $3,000 at the insistence of legendary New York importer Max Hoffman, the Speedster mesmerized American Porsche buyers and enthusiasts with its racy looks, focused driving experience and avant-garde flair. Speedsters also proved to be true “giant killers” on the track in American SCCA competition, where they out-braked, out-handled, out-accelerated and humbled many far-more-powerful competitors. Just 2,922 examples of the original Speedster were produced in all to 1959.
Despite its success as a niche model for America, Porsche management never fully grasped the original Speedster’s appeal, replacing the car with the more fully trimmed 356A Convertible D in 1959. However, despite its maker’s indifference, the sleek, bare-bones 356 Speedster managed to electrify legions of Porsche fanatics worldwide as a cult classic ever since its production ended. Facing this undeniable fact, Porsche celebrated the Speedster’s rich legacy several decades later with 2,065 examples of the Carrera 3.2-based Speedster to close out production of that popular 911 series in 1989.
Featuring a lowered windshield, soft-top and rear tonneau cover, the car evoked the original 356-based Speedsters of the 1950s with a compelling modern twist, with all 823 U.S. imports featuring aggressive Turbo-look styling. A similarly configured Speedster was also produced to commemorate the end of the next 964-generation Porsche 911 run in 1994. While Porsche did manufacture two 998-series 911 Speedsters in 1998 – one for Ferry Porsche and the other for comedian Jerry Seinfeld – no “official” 993 Speedsters were offered for public sale.
As Porsche’s designers and engineers continued to endow the rear-engine 911 series with a virtually endless succession of updates and upgrades throughout production, the company also reflected on its rich history, including the upcoming replacement of its 997-generation cars and 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking 911’s introduction back in 1963. Offered in addition to the 911 Sport Classic coupe in 2010, the 997-generation 911 Speedster maintained the elemental look of its predecessors, yet defied tradition as the best-equipped version yet, incorporating virtually every factory-available option. Special gloss-black Fuchs-style wheels were a clear and welcome nod to the glorious 911’s earlier days. However, with the aggressive Carrera GTS at its core, the 997-series 911 Speedster also delivered sharper performance than its earlier namesakes with 408 factory-rated horsepower on tap and chassis upgrades maximizing the experience. A lightweight manual top mechanism added weight savings and simplicity in character with the Speedster ethos. Just 356 were produced, silently paying homage the car that started it all for Porsche.
With evolution a constant at Porsche from the company’s inception, the 991 generation of the 911 debuted in August 2011 and progressed through two distinct iterations. The eventual end of 991 production was observed with the 991.2 version of the 911 Speedster, previewed by two showstopping concept cars. Overall performance took a massive leap with its 4.0-liter, 502-horsepower powerplant and suspension upgrades borrowed from the road/track 911 GT3, plus a chopped windshield and faired tonneau cover. Released for 2019, the 991.2-based Speedster was produced in a strictly limited run numbering 1,948 cars, honoring the inaugural year of Porsche production.
A rare and electrifying offering selling with No Reserve at the 2024 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, this 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster has a GT3-derived, 4.0-liter flat 6-cylinder engine that delivers a howling 9,000-rpm redline. With its 502 factory-rated horsepower and 346 ft/lbs of torque, 0-to-60 mph acceleration is achieved in 3.7 seconds and terminal velocity is a supercar-worthy 192 mph. Riding on a set of 20-inch GT3-type center-locking alloy wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, this modern Porsche icon is reined in by Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) with yellow-finished calipers and speed bumps are negated by a front-axle lift system.
Numbered 69 of the 1,948 produced, this example features a classic Guards Red paint finish over a black leather interior, complemented by a lack manual soft-top and a carbon-fiber twin-hump rear tonneau cover. Other choice features include the Porsche Dynamic Light System, adaptive sport seats with red stitching, Guards Red seat belts and carbon-fiber accents. Big-ticket features and options include Porsche’s Sport Chrono and Light Design packages, voice control, a Bose surround-sound system, navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control and cruise control. The central tachometer with 9,000-rpm redline is flanked by a 225-mph speedometer and gauges monitoring oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature and fuel level.
Offered with just 1,079 actual miles at the time of writing, this stunning 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster is accompanied by a clean CARFAX report, owner’s manual and a car cover. Equipped far beyond the wildest dreams of original 1950s 356 Speedster buyers and capable of stunning all-around performance, this 997.2-generation Speedster is a true modern classic Porsche in every possible respect. Crossing the block at the upcoming 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28 at WestWorld, it is yet another can’t-miss opportunity for committed collectors everywhere. Register to bid today for the chance to add it to your garage.
