To help celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2018, Porsche unveiled the latest version of its iconic 911 Speedster. Only 1,948 would be built, celebrating the year Dr. Porsche built his first two-seat roadster in Austria.

The first true Speedster was created at the behest of Porsche’s American distributor, Max Hoffman, who demanded a basic low-cost sports car with which to better compete with British and Italian rivals in the showroom and on the racetrack. The 356 Speedster proved a tremendous success. Fewer than 3,700 Speedsters were produced between 1954 and 1958, when it was succeeded by the more civilized Convertible D and then the 356 Roadster.

In 1989, Porsche unveiled an updated Speedster, based on the Carrera Cabriolet. Porsche had hoped the new Speedster with its cut-down windshield, “Emergency” fabric top, and fiberglass tonneau, would be used in competition, but most of the 2,065 examples vanished into collections. Porsche marked the end of its modernized 964 platform in late 1993 with a run of 1,050 Speedsters.

Porsche’s 2019 911 Speedster is the finale of a long line of illustrious 991-generation designs. Essentially a GT3 with its roof cut off, the Speedster is, based on a cabriolet body shell and features extensive use of carbon-fiber for the front trunk lid, front fenders, doors, engine cover, and interior trim. As with previous versions, the windshield and glass were shortened to lend a sleeker appearance. A double-humped tonneau of CFRP blends smoothly into the rear deck. The removable fabric top can be folded beneath the tonneau when not in use, but it is hard to imagine an owner ever driving with the top up.

The new Speedster uses the 991.2’s 4.0-litre DOHC flat six-cylinder engine with an alloy case. Four-valve cylinder heads and direct fuel injection deliver 502 bhp with 346 foot-pounds of torque. The Speedster is capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds with a maximum of 310 km/h. A six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching capability is standard, as are carbon-ceramic disc brakes with their huge yellow calipers which provide amazing stopping power.

The 2019 Speedster is a true collector’s item. This lovely European-specification example, number 29 in the series (selected specially by the as 2+9=11), is well-equipped, finished in non-metallic PTS Albert Blue with black leather and special-order upholstery produced at Porsche’s Exclusive department and carbon-fiber trim, making this a truly unique vehicle. It is essentially a new car, having recorded just 600 km, and is accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity. Exceptionally well optioned, it is equipped with the optional 90-litre fuel tank, Bose sound system, front axle lift system, platinum painted 20” GT3 centre-lock wheels, lightweight bucket seats with Porsche Exclusive interior trim, black design LED headlights, and the Sport Chrono pack amongst other options. This stunning and rare Speedster is ready to assume pride of place in any important Porsche collection.