Porsche revived the Speedster name for its 997-generation 911 and promptly created one of the most coveted sports cars of the 21st century thus far. Introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the type 997 Speedster became an instant collectible with a production number of only 356 examples, in homage to the original 1954 356 Speedster.

Using the higher-spec type 997 Carrera GTS as a base, and with the more potent Powerkit-equipped 3.8-liter flat-six at its heart, the type 997 Speedster came with virtually every available option, including the Sport Chrono package, carbon-ceramic brakes, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Further adding to its mystique, it was hand-assembled with countless features from Porsche’s Exclusive department, including a Speedster-specific interior motif.

The type 997 Speedster was available in only two colors—Carrera White and Speedster-exclusive Pure Blue—while the interior came in black leather with matching details in the chosen exterior hue. Black Fuchs-style alloy wheels, rock-chip protectors on the rear fenders, and a rigid tonneau cover are all nods to the hugely popular G-Series Speedster of 1989. But the chopped windshield is perhaps the most distinctive component of any 911 Speedster design, reduced by 2.4 inches in the type 997 model when compared to that generation’s standard 911.

The 2011 Speedster offered here is one of 103 examples earmarked for North America, and it is number 293 of the 356 total produced. It completed production on 7 June 2011, finished as it is today in Pure Blue with a black soft-top over black leather. A United States-delivery car, this Speedster was initially sold in Ohio. Though records note that it is a two-owner car, this 911 Speedster was in fact traded back to its retailing dealer sometime after delivery only to be repurchased by the original owner less than a year afterward, and it is thus offered now from single private ownership. The Porsche remains incredibly well-preserved today, showing a remarkable 566 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing—making it an exceptional find for collectors seeking to acquire one of these ultra-rare Speedsters.

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 an eminently collectable package. Presented in virtually as-new condition throughout, this example would sit beautifully alongside any of its Speedster siblings—old and new—as a celebration of Porsche’s rich heritage.