The 911 Speedster was first conceived in 1983 as a simpler, lighter, and less expensive open model that could be used as a fair-weather tourer or a track car, much like its spiritual predecessor, the 356 Speedster. The new Speedster would be so spare that it would not even have a top. What it would have is the aggressive look that included front fenders, quarter-panels, and wide alloy wheels borrowed from the 930 Turbo. With a sharply angled, cut down, removable windshield and the rear of the cockpit covered by a fiberglass tonneau cover, it offered quite an outrageous appearance, credited to Porsche stylist Tony Lapine.

A second prototype was built in 1986 and was unveiled as a 911 SC-based concept at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show, where it drew a great positive response. Porsche management decided to build the Speedster as a limited-production model on the next-generation Type 964 chassis then under development. However, when manufacturing delays slowed the 964’s introduction, the new Speedster was built on the 3.2-liter Carrera chassis, which was nearing the end of production.

The Speedsters were equipped with the H-program’s 3.2-liter air-cooled flat six engine, which developed 217 brake horsepower. Power was fed through a five-speed Getrag G50 transaxle, and there were power-assisted, ventilated, and cross-drilled disc brakes with alloy calipers at all four corners. Turbo-look Speedsters were fitted with 7J and 9J 16-inch-diameter Fuchs forged alloy wheels and larger tires. Beneath the fiberglass rear tonneau, the rear seats were replaced by a carpeted storage area.

Completed June 6, 1989, this example spent most of its life in southern California, having been imported by its first owner, who picked up the car at the factory under Porsche’s Tourist Delivery program. It was delivered in the popular color of Guards Red with a black partial leather interior and was factory-equipped with air conditioning, sport seats with electric height adjustment, a short shifter, a Blaupunkt Charleston stereo, and a security system.

On June 8, 2000, with its odometer reading 14,777 miles, the car was sold by Porsche of Newport Beach to who is believed to be the car’s second owners, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Salvi of Trabuco Canyon, California. Mr. Salvi immediately had the car serviced and all lubricants replaced by marque specialist Andial Road and Racing in Santa Ana, and, later in his ownership, he replaced the factory stereo with a Kenwood unit in late 2000. In August 2004, showing 18,972 miles, the car was returned to Andial for new hood shocks, new rear shock absorbers, new steering column bushings, a new battery, and other items. The Salvis retained the car until 2014.

Today, this spectacular Carrera Speedster presents as almost new, having recorded just over 20,000 miles, and is in wonderful condition. It is offered with its factory Certificate of Authenticity, tool roll, original collapsible spare, jack, books, service invoices, and clean CARFAX report. Both the fuel injection and air conditioning were recently serviced.

One of the most fiercely desirable modern Porsches, a Carrera Speedster belongs in any performance enthusiast’s collection. This is certainly one of the finest available.