With its double-humped fiberglass tonneau cover and lowered windshield, the one-year-only 1989 Porsche Speedster is instantly recognizable. Intended to be a lighter-weight, competition-oriented two-seat convertible, the Speedster was reintroduced after an absence of almost 35 years. Most examples immediately vanished into private collections.
While the name “Speedster” had been applied to more than a few early racers from the Ford Model T era, it was Porsche that implanted the name in the public’s mind. The nimble and spartan little rear-engined 356 quickly made a name for itself in the popular culture of the mid-to-late 1950s, and soon became a dominant player in amateur sports car racing. Today, the 356 Speedster remains much-sought-after, and the modern versions are equally desirable.
1989 was the final year for the 3.2 engine and Speedsters (Option M503) built between January and August of 1989 were the final iteration of that series. Based on the 930 Turbo body and powered by the Carrera’s normally aspirated 3.2-liter air-cooled six, it is believed that about 823 were sent to the North American market. None wore the Turbo’s whale tail.
This outstanding and well-optioned early production example in Guards Red over a Black partial leather interior was completed 19 April 1989. It has a five-speed manual transaxle with limited-slip differential. Its first owner, Mr. Ray Elbertse of San Juan Capistrano, California, took delivery from Victory Porsche in Burbank. Service records indicate that Elbertse relocated to Hickory, North Carolina in 2005, bringing his Speedster along. In 2012, after 23 years of ownership, He sold it to Michael and Doris Bartell of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. For the next three years, the Bartells had the car maintained by Thompson Porsche in Warrington, Pennsylvania. In March of 2015, the car was purchased by the current owner, an avid Florida Speedster collector who has enjoyed the car for almost seven years, adding about 2,000 miles.
The consignor states that this Speedster remains completely stock, with all its original paint, sport seats, air conditioning, factory-installed Blaupunkt Charleston stereo, and many other desirable standard and optional features. Xpel protective film has been applied to the nose. Maintained by Champion Porsche in Pompano Beach, Florida and shown periodically, it displays 11,283 miles from new at time of cataloguing. It is supplied with its original window sticker, factory books, tool roll, jack, some service records, and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
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