Speedster ~ 1989-1989

Overview

Right at the end of the Carrera 3.2 production, Porsche built a limited number of a very special 911. The Speedster was inspired by the classic 356 Speedster of the 1950s. This sleek machine was based on the 356 but had a cut-down windscreen and low hood to give a chopped appearance to appeal to American buyers.

The 911 Speedster was based on the 3.2 Carrera and achieved a similar look by way of a lower, more steeply raked windscreen in a lightweight aluminium frame. The hood was correspondingly lower and sat atop smaller, frameless side windows.

When the hood was lowered it was stored under a twin-humped plastic panel that took the place of rear seats. The hood was manually operated, and the hump hinged back to allow the hood to drop. Porsche stress to would-be buyers of the Speedster that the relatively simple hood was not designed to be fully waterproof or windproof. In other words, the car was designed to be a fine-weather vehicle only.

The majority of the 2065 Speedsters built had the wide Turbo-Look front and rear wings, although a few were built with the narrow body, while a handful were Slant-Noses. Porsche Speedster

Inside, the Speedster had a basic specification similar to that of the contemporary ClubSport. The windows were manually operated, as were the heater and seats. The latter were from the ClubSport and were set lower in their mounts to give sufficient headroom with the lower roof. There were no rear seats because the area was taken up by the hood cover, although there was some storage space below.

The 1989 Speedster is a rare and attractive car, but is not practical as an everyday Porsche it’s more a fine-weather machine to take out at weekends.

Porsche Speedster

How to spot
  • Body as per 3.2 Carrera
  • Low windscreen
  • No front quarter lights
  • Twin humps behind the seats
  • Low-slung hood
Specification

Capacity: 3164cc

Compression ratio: 10.3:1

Maximum Power: 231bhp @ 5900rpm

Maximum Torque: 284Nm @ 4800rpm

Brakes: Front: 304mm discs; rear: 309mm discs

Suspension: Front: Twin longitudinal torsion-bar springs, anti-roll bar, Boge dampers; Rear: Semi-trailing arms with torsion-bar springs, anti-roll bar, Boge dampers

Wheels & Tyres: Front: 15x7J with 195/65VR tyres. Rear: 15x8J with 215/60VR tyres (16inch rims optional). In 1989: Front: 16x6J with 205/55VR tyres

Length: 4291mm

Width: 1650mm

Weight: >1210kg

Did you Know?

The Speedster was the last 911 to be built at the original factory at Zuffenhausen. The all-new 964-model 911 would be made at a new facility.