Truly one of the most iconic cars of its era, Porsche’s 356 Speedster was the brainchild of New York-based dealer extraordinaire Max Hoffman. Conceived to give Porsche more of a foothold in the American market, the diminutive speedster offered bare-bones performance that was thrilling on the streets and proved to be successful on the track. Advertised at $2,995, it was a bargain compared to its British competitors and quickly proved to be a huge hit with enthusiasts not only in the US, but worldwide.
The Speedster name was revived for the G-Series 911 of 1989 (2,104 produced), the 964 (936 produced), and even a pair of 993-generation 911s; it has always been heralded as one of the most desirable models of the range—and one that kept Porsche firmly in touch with its roots. For the 997-generation of 911, the new Speedster was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and true to its heritage, it was considered an instant modern-day collectible.
Using the Carrera GTS as a base, and with the Powerkit-equipped 3.8-liter flat-six at its heart, the Speedster came equipped with virtually every available option, including the Sport Chrono package, carbon-ceramic brakes, and the PASM suspension. Porsche’s Exclusive department seized the opportunity to use the Speedster as a showcase of its capabilities. In fact, the hand-assembled 997 Speedster came with so many items offered by Porsche Exclusive that they were not listed individually, but rather, simply noted as “Speedster Option.”
The 911 Speedster’s unique body is paired with black-centered Fuchs Classic alloy wheels and a black rock-chip protector on the rear quarters which altogether capitalize on the classic “Turbo Look” models of years past. The windshield is perhaps the most distinctive component of any Speedster design, and in these cars, it has been reduced by 70 millimeters.
The tonneau cover itself has been altered to both hold the high-center-mounted brake light and allow space for a new louvered engine lid design. Exclusive interior tailoring is represented by a checkered-flag pattern with contrasting stitching throughout, as well as several contrasting trim panels and Speedster-specific motifs. Just two standard color options were made available for the new 911 Speedster: Carrera White, and a color unique–and exclusive– to the 997-generation Speedster model, Pure Blue.
The only interior color option was black leather, with matching details in whatever color was selected for the exterior. In total, Porsche Exclusive produced just 356 examples of the model for the 2011 model year, of which 100 were earmarked for the US market.
SPEEDSTER 322
This Pure Blue example is the 322nd Speedster built, and it was completed at Zuffenhausen in April 2011 for delivery to Porsche Gold Coast of Jericho, New York in July of that year. It remained unsold until 26 June 2012, when it was purchased by its first owner and registered in New York.
Over the following five years, Speedster 322 was exclusively and regularly maintained by the originating dealer, and by March 2017 the car’s first owner had accrued approximately 3,300 miles. At that time Speedster 322 passed to another New York resident who enjoyed it for another 300 miles until selling the car to the consignor in October 2020.
Under the consignor’s care, this exceptional and carefully tended Pure Blue 911 Speedster has traveled fewer than 105 miles, and now presents with just under 3,865 miles since new at time of cataloguing.
Widely considered to be the ultimate open-top incarnation of the 997-generation lineup, the Speedster combines stunning good looks, exemplary performance, and rarity into a very collectable package. This example is presented in virtually as-new condition throughout and would sit beautifully alongside any of its speedster siblings—old and new—as a celebration of Porsche’s rich heritage.
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