Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Speedster

The vehicle in detail

Some 25 years after the debut of the 911, Porsche embarked upon the model’s most radical overhaul to date with the introduction of its new 964-generation car. While the Carrera 2 and 4 were the best-selling models in Cabriolet and Coupé form, it was the stunning Speedster that arguably garnered the most attention of any 964 model. Porsche made a 911 Speedster for the 1989 model year but it was the later cars made for 1993 and 1994—of which 936 examples were produced—that were more closely related to the 964 platform. Only 15 of those were adapted by Porsche Exclusive with a wide ‘Turbo-Look’ body, including the example offered here. Together with senior leaders at Porsche, this Speedster was transformed by Professor Wolfgang Flatz (or simply Flatz to the art community).
Flatz is renowned for audacious, bold, and disruptive projects that have defined his artistic career. His works, which are often as demonstrative as they can be visual, push the boundaries of conventional art while often raising awareness of global issues. In 2024, Flatz made headlines after an auction for his tattooed skin, to be claimed posthumously, was cancelled after an art collector bought all 12 pieces in advance.
The artist’s work has memorably drawn on the automobile for inspiration, and particularly the Porsche brand. His 2007 sculpture titled “Lover” featured a mint green Porsche 928 mounted upon a cherry red velvet sofa. Before then, at the 1993 World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart, Flatz collaborated with Porsche for a memorable display in the car manufacturer’s hometown. Flatz’s “Champion Piece” was commissioned by the state of Baden-Württemberg with the Olympic Committee and showed 90 Porsche 911s arranged in a U-shape in front of the city’s Neues Schloss (New Castle). Comprising some 60 black and 30 white 964-generation cars, they were later sold as limited-edition models.
To thank Flatz for his creative input, Porsche worked with the artist on a one-off art project that he would call “Physical Sculpture XI”. It took the form of a 1994 model year 911 Speedster, specifically one of the 15 models built by Porsche Exclusive with wide ‘Turbo-Look’ bodywork. In the early 1990s, the Porsche brand was struggling to compete amid dwindling 911 sales while being hamstrung by its own limited model range. Wendelin Wiedeking rejoined the company, eventually becoming CEO, to revive its fortunes. He was keen to leverage the publicity of working alongside Flatz, who involved lead designer Harm Lagaay to create his one-off 911 Speedster art project.
Instantly recognisable with its striking colours, the exterior features paint-to-sample yellow and black in tribute to the Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg state flags when the soft-top is closed. With the roof down, exposing the red leather interior, it is a clear homage to the colours of the German flag. The interior is custom designed with the gear knob (topped by a 2 Deutsche Mark coin), handbrake lever, and one-off steering wheel made by Porsche from German oak. Also included are red Recaro RS seats with yellow dashboard and seatbelts. The artist has owned the car from new, and its odometer shows 56,583 kilometres at the time of cataloguing.
Undoubtedly a one-off, and a work of art in its own right, this rare 911 Speedster ‘Turbo-Look’ wide body is a rare beast. Transformed by Flatz into the unique art project seen here, the “Physical Sculpture XI” is a car unlike any other.