Porsche’s Speedster timeline

356

PRODUCTION YEARS: 1954-58

PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 3,676

Porsche’s Speedster concept owes much to Max Hoffman, the storied importer of Porsche sports cars to the United States, which remains an important territory for the brand today. Hoffman told Ferry Porsche that for his brand to succeed in the US, it needed a smaller, simpler sports car that was priced more competitively than the 356 range of the time. The Porsche Speedster was duly born with just two bucket seats in an otherwise spartan interior. Its design concept would resonate with future designs of the Porsche Speedster as it joined the 911 family tree.

3.2 Carrera

PRODUCTION YEARS: 1989

PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 2,274

Project managed by designer Ben Dimson, the first 911 Speedster was originally conceived for the 964 generation but brought forward to boost sales at the end of the G-series era. Using engine and running gear from a base Carrera, the Speedster was treated to a bespoke windscreen and rear clamshell. Available in narrow and wide body, the former is extremely rare, though both iterations are collector-grade cars today.

964

PRODUCTION YEARS: 1992-94

PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 936

The original 911 Speedster design was finally realised at the end of the 964 era, though it didn’t sell in the volumes expected (Porsche had set aside VIN numbers for some 3,000 to be produced). Based on a RWD Carrera 2 Cabriolet, it served as a crossover between that and a 964 RS, thanks chiefly to its spartan ‘Clubsport’ trim, which was in keeping with the ethos of the original 356 Speedster. Most were narrow-bodied, though 20 wide-bodied 964 Speedsters were produced via Porsche Exclusiv.

997

PRODUCTION YEARS: 2010

PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 356

The rarest iteration of Speedster, the 997 was hand built to a high specification by Porsche’s Exclusiv department, its wide body available in either Pure blue (a bespoke colour for the model) or Carrara white. It shared its 408bhp flat six with the Sport Classic and 997 GTS, though it was available as Pdk-only. Its high specification and relatively hefty weight means it is most at odds with that original Speedster design, though its low production numbers means it’s highly sought after by collectors.

991

PRODUCTION YEARS: 2018-19

PRODUCTION NUMBERS: 1,948

Revealed as a special edition to celebrate 70 years of Porsche sports cars, the 991 Speedster was created by Andreas Preuninger’s GT department. Using a Carrera 4 body, its powerful, high-revving and naturally aspirated flat six engine, along with its accomplished chassis, has lead many to call it a topless GT3 in all but name. They’re not far wrong in our book. The latest Speedster is brilliantly engineered to feature that same sloping roofline and clamshell, which is electrically powered for the first time.