The Porsche and Speedster nameplates each conjure the notion of driving enthusiasts seeking performance over creature comforts, a sight well illustrated by the original 356-based Speedster with its removable windscreen and simple folding roof, a recipe that became a Porsche tradition and revived periodically ever since. Noteworthy iterations have been the Speedster models built in 1989 and 1994, which like the original, both followed the same simple recipe with just two seats, a lower curved windshield, and for 1994 cars, a fibreglass tonneau cover.
Three years after the arrival of the 964-era 911 platform, the Speedster arrived boasting a 3.6-litre flat-six engine and with predictions of a limited build number of 3,000. The figure was was in reality actually closer to 1,000 units, with around half of those cars designated for the U.S. market. The new car featured smoother, more seamless nose and tail fascias, and an electric rear spoiler that automatically rose at speeds in excess of 80 km/h to improve aerodynamics, and retracted flush with the engine cover when the speed dropped. The model’s air-cooled single overhead cam flat-six engine produced 247 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels through a shifting five-speed manual transaxle gearbox. Porsche claimed this could propel the Speedster to an impressive top speed of 262 km/h.
This 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster is finished in its factory-correct Grand Prix White hue and features black painted hard-shell sport seats upholstered in matching black leather. Delivered new to the United States, this example was supplied to its first owner via Porsche in Carlsbad, California.
A well-optioned and well-preserved example, this 911 Speedster includes a limited-slip differential, air conditioning with climate control, cruise control, power steering, and the desirable factory sports bucket seats. The car’s factory stickers remain in place, including the option code sticker within the front bonnet, and it is accompanied by its original handbooks, jack, tools, air pump, two keys, and its Porsche build sheet. The odometer displays 54,378 miles at the time of cataloguing.
A legendary car of its time, the relatively rare 1994 model year 911 Speedster is rightly coveted by Porsche enthusiasts.